Jakarta –
How to reduce stomach acid is important to know, especially for those who often experience this condition. Because if stomach acid is not treated, it will cause symptoms that can interfere with daily activities.
Quoted from the Cleveland Clinic, stomach acid is a condition that occurs when stomach acid rises into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn) and other symptoms. Stomach acid that occurs repeatedly can trigger chronic stomach acid or what is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, aka GERD.
Apart from heartburn, stomach acid can also trigger other symptoms such as nausea, chest pain, sore throat and regurgitation. Regurgitation itself is a condition when gastric juice and undigested food return to the esophagus and into the mouth.
This condition can be treated yourself at home, without even having to take medication. For those who often experience this, here’s how to reduce stomach acid without medication that can be put into practice.
1. Consume more fiber foods
Fiber is one of the most important substances in a balanced diet. Apart from helping you feel full longer, fiber can also help improve your digestive system and reduce symptoms of stomach acid.
There are foods rich in fiber that can be consumed to reduce symptoms of stomach acid, such as whole wheat cereal, whole wheat bread, baked potatoes, peas, broccoli, brown rice, and many more.
2. Manage food portions
One of the causes of increased stomach acid is consuming too much food at one meal. The reason is, eating too much can make the lower esophageal sphincter muscle become weak and unable to close completely.
As a result, stomach acid can escape and rise into the esophagus.
Therefore, it is best to regulate food portions so that there is not too much in one serving. If you usually eat three times a day, you can break it up into five or six smaller portions to prevent the risk of stomach acid.
3. Avoid eating before bed
Someone who has experienced stomach acid or GERD is not advised to eat before bedtime. The body needs at least 2 to 3 hours to digest food. If you eat before going to bed, there is a big possibility that food that has not been digested will rise into your esophagus when you lie down.
For people who have a history of stomach acid or GERD, try to eat no later than 3 hours before going to bed.
4. Eat slowly
Eating or drinking too quickly can increase the risk of stomach acid. This is because eating and drinking quickly can increase the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus after eating. This is what increases the risk of stomach acid disease and causes symptoms such as heartburn or shortness of breath when eating.
If this habit continues, it can cause complications such as narrowing of the esophagus or injury to the esophagus.
5. Avoid foods that trigger stomach acid
One of the clearest ways to reduce stomach acid is to avoid foods that trigger stomach acid itself. There are many types of food and drinks that can trigger stomach acid, for example foods that contain high levels of saturated fat, citrus or orange fruit, fizzy drinks, caffeine, and so on.
6. Quit smoking
It’s no longer a secret that smoking can have bad effects on health, one of which is triggering stomach acid. In fact, accidentally inhaling smoke from active smokers can increase the risk of this disease.
Quoted from Medical News Today, smoking can make the esophageal valve or sphincter muscle become weak, allowing stomach acid to rise into the esophagus. Not only that, smoking can also stimulate the stomach to produce more stomach acid, so the risk of stomach acid rising becomes even higher.
7. Wear loose clothing
In some cases, stomach acid can be caused by the habit of wearing tight clothing. Tight clothing can put pressure on the stomach and allow stomach acid to rise into the esophagus.
Therefore, make it a habit to wear loose clothes or pants, especially in the stomach area so that you don’t experience pressure.
8. Elevate your head when sleeping or lying down
Elevating your head when sleeping or lying down has been proven to prevent stomach acid from rising. Quoted from the Oesophageal and Gastric Cancer Support page, raising your head 15-20 cm can prevent stomach acid from rising when lying down.
The best way is to place a support under the pillow. In this way, stomach acid can be prevented without disturbing comfort while sleeping.
Watch the video “Principles that must be maintained by people with stomach acid during fasting and Sahur”
(ath/suc)
2023-11-02 06:01:21
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