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.
Apples
Posted by Robbie (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico) on 08/04/2008
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Ha, I actually thought I was a genius because I discovered that apples subdued my acid reflux but I see that people discovered this before me.
Apples only subdue the acid for a short while for me... don't get me wrong, they are better than any acid medication I have tried. I think I actually just have something wrong with my esophagus (however it's spelt). I normally try to eat an apple in anticipation of my acid reflux and I always eat one when I feel the pangs of acid at my throat. However, after a month of doing this I'm still suffering. I have cut down my diet to the point where I've cut out all caffein, all alcohol, all flour based foods, all dairy based foods, red meat (I read somewhere that that was bad) and I'm basically juest eating fresh fruit and vegetables (no citric acids).
I only eat small meals frequently and never before I go to bed. I even angled my bed so that I sleep in a slightly up right position and when I do sleep I sleep on my left (I also read that somewhere, something to do with the position of the stomach). I think I've tried everything unless anyone has some amazing miracle cure that they're not sharing with the world.
Regards, Robbie.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 07/19/2008 490 posts
★★★★★
Hi Rosetta, If you diligently work at eliminating all bleached flour from your husband's diet, you might find that you also eliminate his acid reflux problem that nothing helps. It works for me and I can tell you that unless breads and cereals state l00% whole grain, they aren't, and probably contain some bleached flour. You will also find that many products contain both bleached and unbleached flour. The above has been working for me for over 30 years now. I don't know what it is in the bleaching process that creates the problem, but since I can eat whole grains or unbleached products without getting the problem, I know that is where the problem is.
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.
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?
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!
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.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Nathan Smith (Del Rio, Texas) on 01/11/2008
★★★★★
I have had stomach acid problems from the day I was born. I reliezed that for me it was completely dependent on my diet. If I ate pizza, bacon, french fries, almost anything fried, pasta, bread and other hearty and greasy foods, I would have really bad acid. In college away from home I expirienced very bad acid and examined my diet. I found that I was eating very acidic foods. I found some websites that actually rate the Ph of food after it goes through the digestive tract and low and behold it was what I was eating. Vegetables are very basic and I found that if I balanced my diet with some vegetation that I would not have a reaction. I also religiously use baking soda when I dont have vegetables or go out drinking and it is a sure fix! I am concerned about long term effects of baking soda but havn't had anything but success.
OTC
Posted by Rosesgift (Grafton, Wi, Usa) on 06/10/2010
Thank you Mary!! I thought I was losing my mind. I have been taking over the counter ant-acid meds for years with little or no success. My memory loss and dizziness has increased since I have been taking the drugs. Someone told me about ACV to take away my acid reflux. I thought I would do some research and it looks like it works for most people. I will try it and hope that works for me. These past few years have been a nightmare and the doctor just keeps telling me "lets try this....ect"
What was your name again?? Thank you again!
Scott
OTC
Posted by Scott (Atlanta, GA) on 01/01/2008
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
I have had acid reflux for several years now. I was on a prescription for Prilosec before it was OTC. Usually only took a pill when I felt the reflux coming on strong. Over time, it has gotten worse with many reflux attacks daily. Two months ago, I started taking Prilosec OTC every day to see if I could fend it off. It worked great and I rarely felt any reflux all day long. Then, I had three violent episodes of Vertigo....which is similar to being spun around while you are violently seasick and stays like that for about 5 hours. Turns out this is rare but known side-effect of Prilosec. Needless to say, I'm off it now. I am relying on Pepsid AC now which works great but only last for a few hours and gets expensive. I'm planning to try the ACV next.
Liver Cleanse, ACV and Baking Soda
Posted by Amy (Merrit Island, FL) on 10/31/2007
★★★★★
I did Dr Clark's liver cleanse, not only cured my acid reflux but cured my diabetes 2, my bursitis. I have completed 4 liver cleanses and still getting better with each one. after years of aliments and sickness I am getting well. also I am loosing weight. I have started a veggie diet and I wanted to boost my PH levels for pain and well being. I tried juicing but could only get my levels to 7.5.. the Apple Vinegar and baking soda got my levels where I want them 8.7. thank you no pharma crap!
Liver Cleanse, ACV and Baking Soda
Posted by Veronica (California) on 12/31/2020
Hi Amy.
Can you clarify which Dr. Clark's cleanses you are referring to here? Thanks.
EC: Hi Veronica,
Amy's post is from 2007, so it is unlikely she will see it at this point. Sorry!
