Millions of people all around the world endure the agony of heartburn on a regular basis. The most frequently used treatment for acid reflux and heartburn involves the use of medicines such as Nexium, Zantac, and Prilosec.
However, the lack of effectiveness of these medicines deteriorates health instead of healing.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are the most commonly used prescription drugs all over the world with an estimated 15 million Americans taking them. “Given the millions of people who take PPIs regularly, this translates into thousands of excess deaths every year”, said Al-Aly, a nephrologist, and clinical epidemiologist.
Increased risk of adverse health problems such as dementia, heart diseases, bone fractures, and pneumonia have led to an increase in heartburn medicine lawsuits. It’s an alarming sign to restrict the PPIs use and follow the natural way to reduce your acid reflux and heartburn, all backed up by scientific research:
1. Weight
If you live with acid reflux, losing weight should be in your priority list. Many observational studies reveal that added pounds in the abdomen lead to GERD and reflux. Controlled studies fully support this and show that weight loss may cure acid reflux symptoms.
More push inside the abdomen is one of the basic reasons for acid reflux. Losing belly fat may alleviate some of the symptoms, keeping you in a healthy state of body and mind.
2. Raw Onion
Eating food that has a lot of raw onion increases belching, acid reflux and heartburn as per the study done on people with acid reflux. Besides, raw onion also aggravates the esophagus which leads to more heartburn.
So, if you enjoy raw onion in your meal, it’s time to stop it or else it would be difficult to bear the consequence arising from persistent heartburns.
3. Coffee
Recent studies found that coffee impairs the lower esophageal sphincter which increases heartburn. When acid reflux symptoms were scrutinized with a camera, the intake of coffee was associated with acute acid damage in the esophagus.
The negative impact of coffee varies from individual to individual. If coffee intake gives you heartburn, stop having it.
4. Carbonated Beverages
People with GERD disease are highly suggested to lessen the consumption of carbonated drinks. According to one such study, it has been revealed that carbonated beverages are linked with acid reflux symptoms.
In addition, controlled studies reveal that drinking cola or carbonated water impairs the ability of lower esophageal sphincter as compared to drinking water. The reason behind is that carbon dioxide gas in carbonated drinks makes people burp which increases the amount of acid into the esophagus.
5. Mints
Peppermint and spearmint are amongst the most common herbs used to flavor foods, mouthwash, toothpaste, chewing gum, and candy. Considered to be the most popular ingredients in herbal teas.
One study showed that a high dose of spearmint worsens the acid reflux symptoms by disturbing the inside of the esophagus. So, if you sense that mint makes your heartburn worse, it’s a good idea to avoid it.
6. Smoking
Smoking is not good for heartburn too. Nicotine in cigarettes relaxes the muscles in the lower part of the esophagus and less likely to keep your stomach acid at bay which leads to acid reflux.
Steer clear of smoking and try to avoid being near to other smokers as it can have the same effect.
7. Citrus Juice
The study made on 400 GERD patients, 72% proclaimed that grapefruit or orange juice worsen the acid reflux symptoms. Apart from the acidity of these fruits, orange juice with a neutral pH appears to multiply the symptoms.
While citrus fruits don’t really contribute to the worsening of acid reflux, it can surely make the heartburn worse than it was earlier.
The Takeaway
Studies show that simple lifestyle changes and dietary considerations could result in preventing heartburn and acid reflux. If you are regularly experiencing heartburn more than twice during a week, it’s time to see the doctor.
On the other hand, if you happen to be on PPI medications and currently undergoing the aftereffects of these medicines such as acid reflux or heartburn, you are eligible to apply for a heartburn medicine lawsuit. Connect with the licensed lawyer in your vicinity so to see if you qualify.
