Acid reflux is also called heartburn and acid indigestion is also known as GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD is the result of acid in the stomach backing up into the esophagus and causing a burning sensation in the chest. Burning in the chest is just a symptom of GERD, it could also cause chest pain, belching, dry cough, hoarseness, ear pain, and difficulty swallowing because it feels like something is stuck in the back of your throat.

Acid reflux most commonly occurs at night when you are in a tummy position, causing you to wake up during the night. Many people with sleep problems can have undiagnosed GERD. Sleep medications only camouflage reflux and may do more harm than good.

The reasons people are susceptible to GERD are due to stress, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, or being overweight. Also certain foods cause reflux such as fried foods, spicy foods, chocolate, onion and mint.

How can you treat your GERD?

1. Eat smaller portions or more frequent meals. Stop eating the foods listed above for two weeks and then gradually add them back to your diet so you can determine which foods are causing your reflux. Keep a food diary.

2. Try aloe vera juice, it heals stomach and esophagus from damage caused by acid reflux. Flax seeds neutralize acid directly and a liver cleanse may be recommended. If the liver doesn’t produce enough fluids or digestive enzymes, incomplete digestion can lead to GERD.

3. Eat at least three to four hours before bedtime. This allows the stomach to fully digest the food.

4. Raise your head at night, use extra pillows, or place boards under the head of the bed.

5. Are you overweight? Try to lose at least 10-20 pounds. GERD is also known to be related to hiatal hernia.

6. Learn some relaxation techniques to overcome your stress. Self-hypnosis tapes, meditation, bedtime music, a warm bath before bed are some ideas to try.

7. Make an appointment with your doctor. He may suggest over-the-counter medicine, a prescription medicine, or other tests to check and see the severity of your acid reflux. Acid reflux can cause the esophagus to turn brown, called Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition.