Recognizing Acid Reflux Symptoms
The most common symptom for acid reflux is heartburn. This usually occurs after eating a meal or drinking a drink which has an acid content. This is one of the acid reflux symptoms which is usually worse for the first two hours after a meal. Many people mistake it for chest pain when they first experience it. It is important to note that not all people with acid reflux experience this symptom.
Other acid reflux symptoms are having a dry cough that lingers, getting up in the morning with hoarseness, and the feeling that food is not going all the way down. Often these symptoms will get severe enough to cause one to vomit. For many people, when the esophagus stays irritated long enough, it will cause esophageal spasms which are often mistaken for heart related chest pain.
If left untreated, acid reflux symptoms can keep you awake at night and cause severe damage to the esophagus. Prescription medication for this disease is usually very expensive but there are medications out there that claim they will heal the damage which the esophagus has sustained.
Natural Home Remedies
For people who have mild or moderate acid reflux symptoms, they may be able to manage their symptoms at home using home remedies. The live cultures found in yogurt seem to help many people control their symptoms. Not only do the cultures help with the cooling of acid reflux burn, they are also good to treat other ailments of the body. Many health professionals recommend eating yogurt daily to help maintain a normal ph level in the body.
Apple cider vinegar is another product that seems to provide relief of the burn. If this sounds gross to you, try mixing it with a little water. As little as two tablespoons after each meal can be highly effective in reducing acid reflux symptoms. This is an inexpensive way to treat the symptoms without having to go to the doctor. Ironically, mixing a small amount of cayenne pepper in the apple cider vinegar also works quite well. Taking this mixture just before bedtime will probably insure you a good night’s sleep which is free of pain.
Another well known home remedy is mixing baking soda with water. A couple of teaspoons mixed in a few ounces of water will usually provide immediate relief. This also has a dual purpose. Baking soda helps to relieve symptoms of gas which can be trapped in the stomach. Having less gas will usually mean having less heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms.