Ayurvedic Treatment for Acid Reflux
Acid Reflux is a condition which can affect an individual at any age if left untreated it can create serious complications. It is a disease that aggravates the symptoms of Acid reflux. So, it is important to take care of your diet and lifestyle if you want to get relieved from this condition. Ayurveda provides treatment of acid reflux with herbs, herbal formulations by providing appropriate guidelines for a good lifestyle and diet plan regarding this issue. Planet Ayurveda provides the best Ayurvedic treatment for acid reflux.
What is Acid reflux?
Acid reflux is an ailment that causes burning pain in the lower chest region. This burning pain is known as heartburn. It occurs acid flows back from when stomach into the esophagus. When acid reflux happens more than two week it is diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
What is the Ayurvedic aspect for Acid reflux?
According to Ayurveda, acid reflux occurs due to the aggravation of Pitta and Vata dosha of the body. Increased Pitta causes a burning sensation and increased Vata causes acid to move upward direction through the esophagus.
What are the causes of Acid reflux?
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows upward into the esophagus and causes heartburn. This condition occurs when the abdomen and the upper part of the LES move above the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates stomach from the chest and holds acid in the stomach. But due to the abnormality, the acid can move upward in the esophagus, it causes acid reflux symptoms. Overall hiatal hernia is considered as a main possible cause of acid reflux.
What are the risk factors of Acid Reflux?
It affects people of all ages, sometimes for unexplained reasons. Often, acid reflux is due to a lifestyle factor such as
Obesity
Smoking
Eating snacks during bedtime
Lack or low level of physical activity
Some medications such as calcium-channel blockers, painkillers, antihistamines, and sedatives, and also medicines for asthma.
Drinking some beverages, such as alcohol, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, etc.
What are the symptoms of Acid reflux?
The symptoms which commonly occurs during acid reflux include:
Heartburn
Regurgitation
Other symptoms of acid reflux are the following:
Gas bloating
Bloody or black colored stools
Bloody vomiting
Burping and Hiccups
Dysphagia i.e. difficulty in swallowing
Nausea
Unexpected weight loss
Wheezing (The sound of a high-pitched whistle while breathing)
Dry cough
Hoarseness or chronic sore throat
What are the complications associated with Acid reflux?
As we discuss if acid reflux persists for more than two weeks it can be named GERD and further complications of GERD are esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, cancer of the esophagus, and heart disease.
How to diagnose the Acid reflux?
The occurrence of heartburn-like symptoms is the key to the diagnosis of acid reflux. Doctors may recommend tests to confirm the diagnosis of acid reflux and to evaluate the occurrence of other problems.
Barium swallow (esophagram)
Esophageal manometry
pH-monitoring
X-rays
Endoscopy
Biopsy to examine the infection or abnormalities.
What is the Ayurvedic treatment for Acid reflux?
Ayurveda recommends avoiding foods that exacerbate the symptoms of acid reflux, especially foods that aggravate Pitta. It also provides herbs and herbal remedies that improve digestion and help treat acid reflux.
Herbs for Acid reflux
Amla (Emblica officinalis): This herb balances the acidic pH level of the stomach and acts as rejuvenative.
Sounf (Foeniculum vulgare): It acts as an appetizer and digestive, thus improve appetite and digestion.
Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica): It removes accumulated toxins from the body.
Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia): It balances the secretion of digestive juices and improves metabolism.
Pippali (Piper longum): It acts as an appetizer and catalyst.