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Acid Reflux happens when some of the digestive juices normally found in the stomach back up into the esophagus, the pipe between the stomach and the mouth. These juices include hydrochloric acid, the corrosive substance used in industry to clean metal.

The stomach has a protective lining that shields it from the acid, but the esophagus has no such lining. That’s why upwardly mobile stomach acid burns, sometimes so badly that you may think you’re having a heart attack.

Symptoms of acid reflux

• Heartburn (a burning feeling rising from the stomach or lower chest up towards the neck).
• Regurgitation (bringing food back up into the mouth).
• Chest pain.
• Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia).
• Hoarseness, dental erosion and asthma (because acidic juices can make their way into the throat, mouth and air passages of the lungs).

Acid Reflux Home Remedies

Foods to eliminate or reduce:

• Coffee, alcohol, and excessive amounts of Vitamin C supplements are stimulants of gastric acid secretion. Taking these before bedtime especially can promote evening reflux. Calcium containing antacids are in this group.
• Foods high in fats and smoking reduce lower esophageal sphincter competence, so avoiding these tends to help, as well. Fat also delays emptying of the stomach.
• Having more but smaller meals also reduces the risk of GERD, as it means there is less food in the stomach at any one time.
• avoid eating for 2 hours before bedtime
• avoid soft drinks
• avoid chocolate and peppermint
• avoid spicy foods
• avoid acidic foods like oranges and tomatoes (however, they are okay when fresh.)
• avoid cruciferous vegetables: onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts
• milk and milk-based products contain calcium and fat, so should be avoided before bedtime.