The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Water and Sea Salt
Posted by Cindy (Wichita, KS) on 07/22/2008
★★★★★
After more than 30 years of indigestion and 10 years of acid reflux the very last time I experienced either was about 2 minutes prior to drinking my first 2 glasses of water. I've been drinking water and eating sea salt ever since and have not had indigestion or acid reflux once, in over 2 years. Yes, I had a myriad of other life-threatening problems that the water and salt have fixed since I was sent home from the hospital to "put my affairs in order", but the constant acid was the worst of all and the one I'm most glad to be rid of. I can eat and sleep like a human being again.
EC: Cindy, can you please tell us more about these two remedies? How much water, how often, do you add sea salt to the water, etc. Thanks!
Chlorella
Posted by Vicki (Ranger, Georgia) on 07/19/2008
★★★★★
Recently I tried Chlorella for my acid reflux. I was amazed when the pain stopped within a short time. This is truly the best remedy I have found for acid reflux. I bought the powder and take about two thirds of a teaspoon to cure acid reflux. Safe and effective.
Apples
Posted by Bev (Elroy, WI) on 07/19/2008
★★★★★
I have suffered from reflux for four years after getting an ulcer following ibuprofen and antibiotics for a recurrent pneumonia. Originally took Protonix [this is fluoridated and is very harmful]. Eventually replaced that with Therazyme STM enzymes. Didn't notice any difference with apple cider vinegar with baking soda. Now I am just eating an apple after supper and taking raw honey to coat my throat before bed. This works as well or better than anything else. Camomile tea is helpful and I take some baking soda and water if I notice any heartburn which is seldom.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Arthur (Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin) on 07/15/2008
★★★★★
I am age 83. I suffered from canker sores continuously my whole life until 2 years ago when by accident I discovered that I had celiac disease, that is gluten intolerance. Since going on a gluten-free diet I have not had even one canker sore. NADA! Also the acid reflux that I had all my adult life has also almost completely gone away.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Ross (Port Washington, NY) on 10/23/2008
★★★★★
I have taken Prilosec or Nexium for 45 years straight, and have recently detoxed as part of a program to help my thyroid and adrenal fatigue. Long story short, I simultaneously stopped taking my Prilosec, and I was fine. My detox consisted of raw veggies, fruit, fish and chicken. When I went off detox, reflux returned with a vengeance. My Naturopath suggested that I remove gluten from my diet, and I have been completely acid free for 2 weeks without any medicines. This is unheard of for me. I strongly believe that for some people reflux is a sign of gluten intolerance or worse. By removing Gluten, everything improves...skin, brain, energy, etc.
Ginger
Posted by Clyde (Chesapeake, VA) on 06/21/2008
★★★★★
Fresh Ginger Root also helps Acid reflux and IBS. peel off a small teaspoon size chunk of the root (after peeling and rinsing) chew it well
NOTE: the root is very spicy (hot) but not too bad.
Banana
Posted by Mike (Chicago, IL) on 06/17/2008
★★★★★
Banana is the only thing besides Pepcid AC that has cured my acid reflux. I always eat one or two before I drink any alchohol and it works great every time.
Ginger
Posted by Ross (Vancouver, BC Canada) on 06/14/2008
★★★★★
I used Ibuprofin for at least 20 years ( Ate them like candy.Thought they were like crack for pain) Then I developed Reflux. Tried everything. Until I stopped taking any NSAIDS there was no respite. What has worked for me is boiled ginger root tea, strained and kept cool, after a meal.(3oz). This has really helped me and the reflux is now barely noticable. I now use tramadol and Tylenol for pain. ( I have diabetic neropathy (sp?) so I need some relief for that). No connection with those painkillers, but definitely with Ibuprofin.
Reduce Stress
Posted by Gislain (Phoenix, AZ) on 05/19/2008
★★★★★
Stress was cause of my Acid Reflux:
3 weeks ago today after lunch at work, I had experienced some acid reflux pain. It was beyond heartburn and made me concerned. I wasn't sure why I was having this so I researched online. The cause: Not digesting my food properly.
So I spent money on digestive enzymes and stress reduction supplements - $50. Then I returned the next morning buying a Chinese herbal remedy supplement - $30. After not sleeping still from the pain at night, I decided to see the doctor and get a prescription for Prevacid - $25. I tested my ph and it was 5.5 so I bought a body ph reduction supplement - $25. Then another supplement - $20. All of this with no relief.
Finally, I tried Apple Cider Vinegar which helped ($4) and allowed me to sleep at night, but during the day and in the evenings, the suffering continued. I couldn't eat this and can't eat that. I overall dropped 10 pounds in almost 3 weeks. I was convinced I had an ulcer or maybe CANCER!
Finally after consulting with family and self-evaluation and insufficient funds at the bank, I found the root-cause of my Acid Reflux - Stress and Worrying!!! I tried relaxation techniques and positive thinking, and last night at dinner, I ate a veggie burger with a WHEAT bun and salad with RANCH DRESSING and FRIED SHRIMP and HOT SOUP and had almost zero problems afterwards. Today, I have had no Apple Cider Vinegar and the stress is down. My Acid Reflux is so much better and is improving. My esophagus is so imflammed still and will need time to fully heal. But in my case, my Stress and Worry caused my problem. Before you decide that you are stuck with Acid Reflux forever, try relaxing first. That may be your problem - Stress!!
I was having stress at work and tend to be a worry-wart at heart. I am my mother's child. She died of pancreatic cancer at age 51. She was under constant stress all her life. I'll be 25 next month and plan on living a long time. Stress will not kill me!
Also, another important thing too is to be calm when I eat. That makes such a big difference!
Pears
Posted by Brenda (Columbus, Indiana) on 05/14/2008
★★★★★
Acid Reflux Remedies: Eating pears have helped my ulcer pain. also using fiber supplements before eating a meal has helped alot.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Doug (Irving, Texas) on 01/07/2011
I have tried many types of aloe vera juice and never liked the taste of any until I tried GNC's Wild Berry Flavored Aloe Vera Juice. It tastes great chilled and feels as good as it tastes.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Sekar (India) on 12/18/2015
Take plain aloe vera, that will help you.
Banana
Posted by Mike (Raleigh, NC) on 05/12/2008
★★★★★
For Acid Reflux: Bananas, folks. Eat them for breakfast and before bedtime. Works better than anything else I've tried and they're good for you, too.
Antibiotics
Posted by Joe (Helena, Mt) on 04/09/2008
★★★★★
One year ago, I had a dentist appointment-Infected tooth. I was prescribed an antibiotic. About a year previously, on the news, was a story about a researcher discovering that some bacteria in your stomach could not be killed by antiboitics alone. Antibiotics and the metal barium combined could kill those bacterica.That story, for some"strange reason", did not become part of the medical lore surrounding the agony of common people involved in the extremely expensive fight with ACID REFLUX. One year later, ten days of antibiotics, one and one half ounce of Pepto Bismol each of seven of those days--I am free of agonizing sleepless hours. I'm 67 Years old- probably 10 of which I have suffered with acid reflux. Try it. It cost Me about 15 bucks. It could cost those who profit from "acid reflux" billions - Think for yourself! Good Luck. JDX
PS-Eat quality yogert for a few days afterward to re-establish friendly bacteria in your stomach.
Antibiotics
Posted by Dr. Matt (Gilbert, Az) on 08/09/2012
Just to clarify for the above anecdote: Pepto Bismol contains BISMUTH, not BARIUM. On occasion, antibiotics may temporarily eradicate acid causing bacteria if they are present. Barium and Bismuth are relatively inert elements. (unless they are of the radioactive kind)
Antibiotics
Posted by Marie (Ny) on 08/07/2017
Yes it is true that Bismuth will kill the h pylori bacteria. I have read about it. It works.
Reader Theories
Posted by Patricia (Ottawa, Canada) on 04/09/2008
Wow! Have been on Pantoloc for over a year for acid reflux that was caused by SSRI anitdepressants - even on the Pantoloc I have pain. Didn't realize the sore throat was related until I checked in on your site - thought I had throat cancer!! So thanks for that! Am going to try the ACV. And yes, as many of you have said there are two causes of this disease too much vs not enough stomach acid. Have done a lot of research on the acid/alkaline aspect once I discovered that prolonged use of antacids can actually cause stomach or pancreatic cancer - the reason being that for those with too little acid, taking antacids to neutralize the stomach causes your body to keep producing more acid to try to make up the difference. Cancer thrives in acidic conditions. Thanks for the info - will report back with results!
Mustard
Posted by The Doll (Lake Charles, La) on 06/17/2010
Okay, I thought WTH? I been suffering for days and can't get to the store to buy anything. I have tried Milk of Mag, and Tums. Although a couple of months ago I was taking Prevacid every day for about 30 days and had not problems for about a month after I stopped taking it. I decided to give vinegar a try because I had it on hand and it made it worse for me. I just tried the mustard about a minute before I started typing this email, and I pray it is not just my mind playing tricks on me, but I feel the difference... As of now, I would say IT WORKS!
Apples
Posted by Pauline (Yuma, AZ) on 02/18/2008
★★★★★
After being overseas for awhile, I returned back to Yuma, AZ and seen a doctor about my sinus. Well, he made his diagnosis from my charts dated one year ago. I didn't take any free drugs that he had given to me and surfed the internet for cures. I tried the vinegar and it really helped my clogged sinus. The cayenne pepper in water also took out the soreness in my throat. The slice of apple really helped the acid reflux (loose water pipe that I hear at nights.) Many thanks. I hope that you will continue because there are MANY medical care people nowadays only looking to obtain more money instead of really caring for their patients. Very superficial care.
Raise the Bed
Posted by Todd (San Jose, CA) on 02/12/2008
★★★★★
I have acid reflux only at night. I wake up with a sore throat in the morning. I put bricks under my bed making the head of the bed higher than the foot. (Actually I used one brick and one piece of plywood cut the shape of the brick. However the floor sloped from the foot of the bed down to the head. Thus the net effect was one brick. It was the sloped floor that gave me this idea.) My acid reflux went away. I no longer woke up with a sore throat. This worked for over five years. Then I slept without the bricks for a week. My acid reflux came back. I replaced the bricks. However, my acid reflux had grown worse. I now need two bricks, instead of one.
This might work only for mild cases. I tried it right away as soon as I got acid reflux.
Sleeping position might matter as to whether this cure works. I sleep on my back. I did not adopt sleeping on my back because of the acid reflux. I had slept that way most of my life.
Does anyone know whether some sleeping positions are better than others for acid reflux, i.e. back, left side, or right side? Which way does the connection between the stomach and the esophagus point? Is it the same for all people, or does it vary?
Raise the Bed
Posted by Laurie (Springfield, Va.) on 05/14/2008
Acid Reflux Remedies: Hi, In answer to Frank's question about sleeping positions, it is thought, though doctors aren't sure why, that sleeping on the left side is best for acid reflux. Re the bricks under the bed. As someone else on the site pointed out, it is imperative to raise the head of the bed, either by using bricks, or by purchasing a foam pillow that is raised at the head. The recommended height is from 6" to 8", depending on tolerance. My husband just put the bricks under the front legs of my bed, as I found the foam pillow to be uncomfortable, and I finally did not wake up with acid in my mouth, and a sore throat. I have not tried the natural remedies listed on your site, but I plan to! I HAVE used a drug called Zegrid, which is Omeprozole and baking soda in a long-acting capsule, but I think I might prefer to just try the baking soda and see how that does. Thanks for all the ideas.
Raise the Bed
Posted by Bev (Seattle, WA) on 01/17/2009
★★★★★
I have put (2) 2X6 blocks under my bed for years and it really helps. Take a jar lid, turn it upside down and nail it to one of the blocks, then place the blocks/lid under the wheels of your bed frame. The cats slide down the bed, but they're used to it...besides, one of them has gerd too!!
Raise the Bed
Posted by Another Sufferer (Houston, Texas) on 05/05/2009
I'm a side sleeper, suffering from Gerd and find that sleeping on my right side always makes the reflux worse.
Reader Theories
Posted by Mike (Chicago, IL) on 02/02/2008
Hi there, Wanted to thank you TREMENDOUSLY for this wonderful website! I've been a purple pill victim for about a year now. Until this past year, I used to get reflux on occasion, then I moved to Chicago last January and ever since, I've suffered from terrible reflux. Last November, I couldn't even enjoy Thanksgiving because the reflux was so bad. I would only consume water, soups and yogurt. After months of my own research and the pathetic research of quite a few western physicians, my problem seems to be going away. Granted, I'm still supposed to take 2 purple pills/day, but I only take 1 as of last week when I first encountered your site. After reading articles on your website last week, I decided to change 2 things:
--I stopped drinking the chlorinated tap water from the City of Chicago (which some claim is the cleanest/healthiest water in the US. Well, I can almost guarantee this water has been the main culprit of my reflux. I remember purchasing a water purifier that removes chlorine around March of last year. Then I used the water filter until about August, when it needed a new filter. During this time, my reflux was not too bad (but it was still present) and I was only taking 1 purple pill per day. Then after needing a new filter, time lapsed and I just went back to drinking city water. What do you know, I started suffering really bad around the end of October. At this time I went back to the doctor and they upped my purple pills to 2/day. I started to feel better, but never really recovered. After reading your articles, I bought a new water filter and a week's worth of spring water. All of a sudden, I'm feeling really really good -- Hmmmmm??
--The other change that I made just one week ago was the addition of Apple Cider Vinegar to my diet.
Because I made these changes at the same time, I'm not sure who should get the credit, but I really don't want to stop either one of them as I never want that feeling again! I cannot begin to express my gratitude but this site is awesome! Thank you!"
