Acid Reflux: How do you get relief?

Thank you. Massages definitely help. I will give acupuncture a try again.

Probiotic and digestive enzymes are different, but they work together, so don’t worry about that. I’m sure it won’t interfere with medications also, because they are just enzymes, which we already have in our bodies. Enjoy digestive enzymes, such wonderful helpers.

Sounds like you've had many specialist looking, and finding everything "pretty much" normal. At least nothing that they can pin point as the cause. May I offer two suggestions (part 2 in second post):

You could try what veterinarians do when they observe similar symptoms. They order a round of antibiotics which should knock our whatever is "growing" in your stomach. When finished, follow up with a good round of Probiotics. There are many out there. Personally I'd choose a multiple strained capsule or powder. Then continue with subsequent/occasional use of them -- think yogurt.

One of the side effect of antibiotics is it wreaks havoc on the intestinal flora. Which is why after a round of antibiotics, it is recommended that a round of probiotics (and prebiotics).

I know regular yogurt (without sugar & artificial sweeteners) helps my wife tremendously for many “women’s health. Her favorite way is yogurt with fresh/frozen fruit and some granola sprinkled on top.

(Part 2)
IF your intestinal flora is normal & healthy (i.e. don't drink artificial sweeteners like aspartame or Nutri-Sweet), you may actually have LOW acid production. Sounds odd, but when you eat your body releases acid to help digest the food. But some people don't produce enough acid at the right time to digest the food "sitting” in their stomach. Their body produces acid too slowly or can't stop producing the acid because their body still has something in their stomach -- so more acid production at the wrong time.

I have found, especially when I have lots of oily food (i.e. order of French fries) that my stomach feels “glumpy”. When this occurs, I reach for some vinegar. Drink some plain water (to wet my mouth/throat). Mix 1/8 cup vinegar with 1/4 cup water and drink it. If after 10 minutes I don’t feel better, I’ll repeat once more. That almost always takes care of it. I know my trigger.

The vinegar (i.e. additional acid) It helps digest the food and clean out my stomach. With an empty stomach, my body doesn’t need/want to produce anymore acid. The Acid Reflux is gone.

Additional thought: If you are eating between meals, you may want to stop. It may be triggering your body to continue to produce acid to digest what’s in your stomach, which is over producing acid for such a small amount of food.

Bottom line: if you can figure out the trigger of the acid generation or ill the timing, you can prevent/counteract the acid production. Don’t just go for the bandaid approach of anti-acids.

Hi @rambler I see you have been with us for quite some time, but this is the first time you are posting. Thanks so much for joining the conversation. You offered @ldholley505 some very good information to follow up with.

Have you suffered from prolonged Acid Reflux? Out of all of the options you mentioned, which one works the best for you?

I don't know that I'd say I suffer from Acid Reflux, but do have occasional symptoms. Sometimes it's in response to what I eat (or not eating), other times it's a response to "general" health. The importance of the digestive tract flora is becoming more well know. My GI tract is compromised because of an appendicitis.

I also have experience with my father's many years of anti-acids not helping and several alternatives (under doctors guidance). There may be some family history, inheritance or predisposition. My personal attitude tend toward Hippocrates: "Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food.” even though modern medicine is sooo much better then 5th century B.C medicine.

One aspect of health that is often overlooked is the emotional or "soft side" of a person's health. How's are you dealing with pressure? What's your attitude or disposition to life. As Zig Ziglar says: "You don't get ulcers from what you eat, you get them from what's eating you."

Short answer is in recognizing the cause and not just treating the symptom.

Zig was a very smart man!

Amen

Looking for comments: recently developed symptoms of acid reflux, recent upper G.I. Revealed nothing significant. Changed diet to restrict foods that aggravate, revised breakfast to include 1 egg, whole grain slice, cup of oat meal w/ Small amt juice of Pom/cran, honey, ginger, cinnamon, Tblspn of Mg hydroxide. Seems to help. Started Pepcid ac before morning meal. Very light lunch in afternoon, nothing more, other than water

Tell the acupuncture therapist what issues you are having.