Acid reflux is not a disease. It is created when the wrong food is consumed. It can begin for a baby as mother’s milk is often tainted from her eating habits. We go headlong consuming processed food and the numerous acid producing foods as bread and sugar that are so common in American society. That regimen of eating can eventually create chronic issues as tissues are damaged in the esophagus above the stomach from Acid Reflux.
My suffering with acid reflux began early. As a child I would feel the burn at the top of my stomach. It was worse at night and an hour or so after eating the acid crept up my esophagus. As a child if I drank some water and sat up it would improve and the burn intensity would depend on the food and quantity eaten.
Then in my teens I found Rolaids and Tums. The first thing I put in my pocket in the morning was my package of Rolaids, at night I used Tums from a big bottle in the medicine cabinet. In a severe attack I would take ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a small glass of water.
The principle MD’s prescriptions are:
- NEXIUM
- ZEGERID
These drugs can help the problem but can cause destructive side effects.
My love of yeast raised bread products, sugars, and eating late were my worst enemies in my acid reflux issue. I was addicted to those foods and developed a habit of night time snacks. Because of that I became overweight which increased my acid reflux problems along with other digestive issues. Then it was more Rolaids and Tums. It was a destructive path I knew would lead to serious problems as I became older. I was totally against beginning doctor’s prescriptions when I knew the problem was mine. I began with a food diary and found problem foods. Then I:
- Raised the head of the bed 3″
- Lost 65 pounds
- Ate much smaller portions
- Eliminated bread, dairy and pastries
- Found substitutes for processed foods
- No fast food
- Ate small evening meals
- Quit snacking on high calorie fat snacks
- Drank distilled water, very occasional sugar drinks, alcohol, or beer
- Homeopathic Nux Vomica
I still struggle with old habits when ice crème, donuts, and foods on the no-no list appear and I can’t resist. Now and then I still need a baking soda fix. But for the most part I have solved the issue of acid reflux. It is one part of a massive digestion problem in our country. One you can fix yourself with a bit of dedication.
