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.
OTC
Posted by Doris (San Antonio, Tx.) on 07/17/2008
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
I have certainly enjoyed reading the comments. Just warning on taking Nexum for long periods of time. I have suffered Acid Reflux for years and was prescribed Nexum and the Doctor never took me off it. Well I have a new Doctor and I told her how I had been having Pain in my Hip joints seemed like where the ball of it is. She then told me that was one of the side effects of Nexum on bones. So we decided it was best to get off of it. Tried Zantac and by the 3rd day I returned to Nexum. Well now I'm about to take the ACV challenge! After so many years of abusing Aspirin etc. for Migraines that was the effect on my stomach, esophogus was Acid Reflux. My daughter and friend suggested ACV and so will let you all know how it helps.
Ginger
Posted by Chris (Fort Worth, TX) on 06/17/2008
Oh PLEASE get off of the Tramadol!!!! Though no one will tell you, It is a highly addictive pain killer! Research before its too late!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Gary (Carpinteria, CA) on 06/10/2008
★★★★★
Just a note on what has helped me with acid reflux. I was really suffering badly from this for several months, I tried a lot of different diets, and also ACV baking soda and bentonite clay. None of these helped me significantly. I came across an article from a natural health practitioner who stated that he was able to cure many of his clients from acid reflux by giving them a strict low carbohydrate diet to follow. I immediately went out and bought a couple of the low carb books and read them as fast as possible to learn how to do this type of diet. I started the next day, and I have not had any major problem since (3 years) -- I do occasionally still get some acid reflux if I eat too many starchy foods. If I follow a low carb diet reasonably strictly, I have minimal problems. Once you learn how, it is easy, and also keeping your insulin levels low helps with many other health conditions.
Reduce Stress
Posted by Ali (Portland, OR USA) on 11/01/2008
Ref: Posting of 05/19/2008: Gislain from Phoenix, AZ
You are absolutely correct. Stress can certainly cause acid reflux. Then the person is told to take PPI's or H2 Blockers. The next thing they know they're on med's for life. Avoid worry and stress. Don't get over weight (if you are lose weight), eat right (smaller portions and healthy). Avoid all medications that can cause reflux (and there is a lot of them out there, prescription and OTC). Lastly, practice relaxful breathing, close your eyes and envision a calm place.
Apples
Posted by Dave (Philadelphia, Pennsylvanis) on 05/16/2008
★★★★★
Acid Reflux Remedy: Golden delicious apples works well i find along wth aloe vera. I have had this acid reflux going on eight years besides meds have tried everything and so far (under one week..) this by far has worked!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Lisa (London, England) on 05/14/2008
★★★★★
Acid Reflux: I was given a prescription for antacids from my doctor to deal with acid reflux. I was suffering from a persistnet cough, mainly in the morning and often throughout the day. I could tell it was not a flu-related cough. My naturopath friend advised me to stop drinking and eating at the same time. I tried it for a week and my cough stopped. I drink at least a half hour or more before or after a meal or even after something as small as a donut. I am very concious about separating the two processes. Try it, it works! It is all to do with the fact that the stomach can not digest food properly with liquid in it. As a result the acid builds up and causes reflux. Simple.
Warnings
Posted by Erik (Pittsburgh, PA) on 05/01/2008
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
re: Untested Claims. Please take into account the claims that you are making have not been tested via prospective randomized controlled trials versus placebo and would not stand in court. If some one were to use your website and take its advice then have a true medical problem such as acid reflux which led to a GI bleed, then inplicated you for giving treatment advice without a medical practicioner's license you could woefully liable. Anectdotal evidence does not equal effective.
EC: Erik, it appears you didn't read the medical disclaimer at the bottom of every page on this website. Perhaps you should.
Juicing
Posted by T (Dumont, NJ) on 04/20/2008
★★★★★
After a long battle, first with prescriptions, then with nearly every suggestion made here on Earth Clinic, I have finally defeated Acid Reflux by juicing. (I love Earth Clinic, & many of the suggestions here helped, but juicing seemed to resolve my problem.) I improved after juicing for the first time and now, after several months, I can eat anything (except I still avoid chocolate, coffee, & excessive sugar). At my worst, even a single mouthful of any food would set off symptoms. I couldn't lie flat for almost a year. I was up all night many times. I had symptoms of a hiatal hernia as well as reflux. Before I started trying natural remedies, I was on 80 mg/day of Nexium with little relief and discontinued when I started seeing blood in my stools.
A typical juice may have kale, carrots, ginger, cucumber, celery, zucchini (+ maybe 1/2 beet or apple). Be creative but don't overdo it with fruits or sugary veggies.
I also eat oatmeal (soluble fiber acts as prebiotic) w/ cayenne, virgin coconut oil. I eat papayas too. I found baking soda in water at bedtime controlled symptoms when I still had them. These things helped but juicing was the key to conquering. Make small quantities (1 glass or less) and sip. If you are prone to constipation, don't drink too much and take a fiber supplement. If you don't have a juicer, some healthfood stores make fresh juice blends by the glass (again, avoid the sugary blends). My juicer cost about $75 and has been well worth it. One more thing- in my experience, there is no substitute for the nutrition of real, whole food. I have had a pretty healthy diet for a couple of years but never was able to consume the quantity & variety of raw veggies I get w/ juicing.
High Altitudes
Posted by Rick (Cictoria, BC, Canada) on 04/20/2008
★★★★★
I recently went to live for three weeks at very high altitude, in Ecuador. During my stay my reflux went completely. I found I could even drink alcohol and wonderful local coffee. My symptoms gradually returned about eight weeks after my return. My work involves a certain amount of forward bending so I could be aggravating my symptoms and causing acid reflux with bending. However I do also wonder if the altitude, 8,500 feet to 12,000 feet, contributed to my temporary recovery. Higher altitudes have totally different bacterial fauna and lower oxygen levels. My bodies' physiology had to adapt; with a faster heart rate and thus altered vagal nerve activity for example. Perhaps some of the readers would like to comment.
High Altitudes
Posted by Kay (Estes Park, Co) on 01/15/2012
I live at about 8,000ft and I still have quite a bit of heartburn. Maybe you were wearing yourself out more working at a high altitude and that helped somehow?
OTC
Posted by Mike (Madison, WI) on 04/15/2008
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Hi, I've tried sooo many things: All brands of antacid tablets, prescription Prilosec and Protonix, all brands of OTC acid reducers, Bismuth products, etc, etc. I will probably try many of the things I have read about here, however, that said, I and all of us sufferers must first stop the serious and deadly esophagus and throat damage IMMEDIATELY. We must use gravity to our advantage for a change instead of our worst enemy. This damage is not an issue as we go through our day in an upright position. All the damage is being done every hour we lay flat and sleep. All that acid lays in our esophagus and throat eating away at and destroying our precious membranes. Purchase one of those steep wedge type pillows or [if you're wealthy] a bed that will allow you crank up the head end. That will keep the acid in the stomach where it belongs allowing the membranes a chance to heal. Remember, the throat and esophagus was NEVER intended by natural design to have any regular contact with stomach acid. This is very serious and urgent for those of us whose stomach valves are damaged or defective. I've read reference to stomach acid "seeping" back into the esophagus. Mine doesn't seep; it FLOWS. Heck, if I bend over quickly to pick something up, I can get a mouthfull of vomit! Nice huh? Anyway, my point here is to make gravity your friend and stop letting stomach acid eat away all night at your delicate membranes. Get yourself upright as much as possible FIRST then start experimenting with the "cures". Good luck to all of us. Mike
Licorice
Posted by Frank R (Anytown, USA) on 04/05/2008
★★★★★
I developed acid reflux and ulcers due to stress in my job. I did not read anyone having stress induced acid reflux. This developed in 1986 and I still have it.
I have taken tagament to Prilosec with varying degrees of result. When I took Prilosec I was told it was only for 30 days and then never again. That was in 1997 and of course that was not true.
The worse thing is when contents of my stomach decide to go up my throat and into my lungs when I am sleeping. It does not matter what I eat, how much, or when I still get these scary episodes.
I have not tried vinegar for this but use it for hiccups. I figure it shocks the system. When I know my stomach is going to be a problem I eat saltine crackers (baking sode is in them), eat yogurt, and drink lots of water. Sometimes it really helps, sometimes it only minimizes the discomfort, or I wait until my digestive system has moved along any food.
One thing I have learned is to try avoiding drugs if you can and that each person really is an individual which inclues our bological systems.
Having lived in Europe a lot of my life I found black licorice made in Germany helps my acid reflux too. It is not like what is found in the United States. Moms often give it to kids with stomach aches. I happen to like and have my German friends mail it to me.
Has anyone else ever used black licorice for acid reflux? It is a natural drug free treatment.
I wish good health to everyone.
Licorice
Posted by Patricia (Ottawa, Canada) on 04/11/2008
Love this site! Thanks to Frank R. for the tip about black licorice - have a German Deli that sells it - assume you mean unsalted? Have a friend just moved here from Australia who told me that they commonly recommend sucking on "natural glucose" lolli-pops for reflux.
Mustard
Posted by Carla (Bellingham, Wa) on 06/06/2012
★★★★★
I just tried it this morning, 2 teaspoons mustard after many days of heart burn, nausea, etc. It has been about 15 minutes and I'm feeling relief already, I hope it will last!
OTC
Posted by Mary (Atalissa, Iowa) on 03/30/2008
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
for those who think that neutralizing your stomach is the way to go think back to when your stomach problems started.did it seem to get worse the more you took antacids your stomach acid is far more acidic than anything you are going to digest. nuetralizing the stomach acid interfers with your bodies natural ph, every time you take a antacid your perpetuating the problem. if milk does not work and taking pills every day for years does not help, what does that prove? that years of neutralizing stomach acid does not solve the problem. the market is full of over the counter antacids if these cured you, you would not need to take them every day, sure they neutralize stomach acid but if the industry cured everyone's acid problems they would not have a market any longer. is that not what they are, marketing a product to make money. i had been on medicines for ten years, changed my diet everything you're supposed to do. it only got worse. only after taking kombucha tea and acv did i relieve my heart burn and acid reflux i have been off any medicine for nine months. i can drink a little before a spicy meal and not have a lick of heart burn.
Reader Theories
Posted by Robin (Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA) on 03/28/2008
If you have reflux, get tested for celiac disease.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Robert (Martinez, California) on 03/19/2008
★★★★★
Meats stay in the digestive system for many days.To increase digestive acid take 1/4-1/2 tsp. "pink salt" with meals per day.Stay away from pasteurized dairy, & sugar.Eat more raw greens than cooked.Baking soda will work in emergency however the salt content is too much for frequent use. Try "Raw" unheated honey,2 tbsp.in 1 cup Perrier or other naturally carbonated water. Penta water is alkaline.Take "Megazymes" after meals for routine maint.Turmeric is very good for digestion,1/2-1 tsp.& promotes healthy flora.Great herbs are thistle leaves as a tea or calamus root, a small 1/4-1/2 dried root tucked between lip & gum works very well & is great for bad food from restaurants.Allow to disolve in mouth.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Joanne (Titusville, Florida) on 03/17/2008
★★★★★
Doctor said I probably had acid reflux and prescribed the "purple pill". It made me sick and I never used it again. My husband suggested that I check my Ph balance. Low and behold I was on the acidic side. I then researched the internet and found foods that are acidic and avoided them. I also found out that we lose our good bacteria in our stomach due to the antibiotics we have taken over the years. To solve this problem I take acidophillis each day. I also take a few "Chorella" pills daily.(the green pills) As long as I avoid the "acid" foods, my body does well. There has to be a balance of acid/alkaline foods eaten daily. I am 65 years young and have advised my children that they had better watch their diets. I find that the majority of folks can't seem to part with their "SODA" or "COLA"(caffeine) each day. Beware, this is one of the major culprits of acid reflux. When you go into a restaurant always order water with lemon. This will help your stomach before you indulge.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Gail (Houston, Texas) on 02/06/2008
★★★★★
I'm in my sixties and I started getting awful acid reflux a couple of weeks ago, along with belching which I had never had before. Sunday, 2/3/08, I decided to try a few things, not the least of which was to eliminate the 12oz. bottle of beer I was having every day. I also started eating smaller meals and including apple sauce and yogurt daily as my desserts. And also started concentrating on alkaline-producing foods. I'll never know what did it, altho I think it was eliminating the alcohol, but it is 4 days out (2/7) and I have had no acid reflex or belching since Sunday when I went 'clean. I am so very happy there is this internet with such a wealth of information which helped me Sunday morning to get a grip on this condition.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Jean (Vancouver, Washington) on 01/11/2008
★★★★★
I don't use painkillers of any kind nor have I used antibiotics in many years yet I just developed acid reflux. In my case I've led a stressful life up until now. I believe that if you lead a stressful life, eat when you're stressed or very upset, it won't make a bit of difference how good your diet is, you simply contaminate the digestive process. do this often enough you establish the problem and become susceptible to many things, natural and unnatural. I currently subscribe to the ACV cure as well as a multi-herbal tea drink consisting of fenugreek, ginger, caraway seed, and slippery elm that I make up myself. Other than that I am attempting to stay away from coffee and anything like nuts that will irritate. I eat soft foods, mostly root vegetables (not potatoes). As someone who takes complete responsibility for the creation of my own good or bad health, I'm hopeful to cure the problem and be able to enjoy life again.
