Acid Reflux and Conventional Treatment
Acid reflux is commonly treated with medications. These can affect the symptoms of this medical condition but they cannot cure the disease. Most of the people suffering from acid reflux find these drugs to work. Antacids, proton pump inhibitors and H2 (histamine 2 receptor) blockers are three commonly used groups of drugs used for acid reflux treatment.
Antacids work as temporary neutralizers of stomach acid. However, these drugs are known to contain sodium and aluminum that might be harmful for your body. PPIs or proton pump inhibitors block the pump responsible for production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. These are the most popular medications prescribed for acid reflux, but they might be dangerous, stopping the process which should be happening inside the body. Some people may face malnutrition because of these drugs. H2 blockers can decrease the amount of the stomach acid produced in the body, providing a longer relief for the patients.
Natural Treatment Options for Acid Reflux
Wheneverpossible, people should try to use natural ingredients to ease their troubles and diseases. Acid reflux can also be treated with some non-harmful supplements like probiotics and digestive enzymes.
Probiotics contain good bacteria able to protect human digestive tract. These bacteria can balance good natural bacteria present in the intestines and enhance our immune system and health of the colon. You can find probiotics as supplements or you can choose to drink yogurt, which is also filled with probiotic bacteria, especially Lactobacillus acidophilus. Scientists and doctors discovered that about 5 billion liver microorganisms in one capsule is necessary for a good probiotic. Ideal combination of these good bacteria is made of Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. rhamnosus and S. thermophilus. Combined with digestive enzymes, probiotics are believed to have the power to balance human digestive system and ease acid reflux.
Digestive enzymes, such as lactase, protease, amylase, lipase, cellulose, pectinase, siastase, alpha galactosidase and invertase, are normally secreted in the human digestive system. Each enzyme works on specific type of food and promotes digestion. People suffering from acid reflux need to take digestive enzyme supplements because their body requires more of these.
Additional Advice
Patients suffering from acid reflux should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Raw vegetables are also very beneficial for people in this condition, being more easily digested than cooked food. Choose food that is easy to digest and eat a snack before the main meal.
Physical exercise is highly recommended for these patients. They shouldn’t lie down right after a meal, but try to walk instead.
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