How to Fight Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or Acid Reflux?

Aug 17 2023

What is Reflux?

Reflux, or Acid Reflux refers to the backward flow of the acid generated in the stomach, back into the esophagus. This happens when the valve-like muscle between the esophagus and the stomach – whose purpose is to allow the food or liquid consumed to travel into the stomach – stays open or does not close the way it’s meant to. In such a case, it allows the content from the stomach to flow back up.

Traditional and closer-to-nature lines of treatment such as Homeopathy and Ayurveda recognise that each individual is different and unique in the constitution. Hence these treatment methodologies believe in in-depth diagnosis which aims at addressing the root cause of a disorder, before a treatment program is designed to suit individual and specific requirements.

In most cases including this one, the acid reflux treatment Dubai, starts with slight but important modifications to lifestyle and dietary habits, which aim at improving upon symptoms and reducing the frequency of a reflux incident. The holistic approach also aims at minimising the triggers to reflux and at promoting a healthier digestive system.

Slight but important modifications in lifestyle or dietary habits have been observed to help manage acid reflux. A few of these are mentioned below:

Identify foods that trigger the condition. Avoid spicy, fried, fatty or acidic foods as well as caffeinated or carbonated beverages. Excess of chocolate too can be avoided.
Have smaller portions of food but eat frequently. Do not let the stomach stay empty for too long stretches of time.
Chew your food well and enjoy what you are eating, rather than gulp down meals.
Excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco is known to trigger acid reflux. Avoid both.
Do not eat just before getting into bed and vice versa. Leave at least a couple of hours in between.
When in a horizontal position, elevate the head using a comfortable pillow.
Avoid late-night or middle-of-the-night snacks.
Get regular exercise even if it means a short but brisk walk each day. Excess weight has never helped anyone.
Wear comfortable night clothes. Avoid the ones which are too snug.
Certain over-the-counter medications including painkillers too trigger reflux. Consult a physician before going in for any of these.
Stress and anxiety are known triggers of most disorders including acid reflux. Practice Yoga and meditation. The deep breathing techniques in both are known to help manage as well as reduce stress.

There are conventional ways to manage GERD too, including surgical procedures which range from mildly invasive to invasive such as laparoscopic procedures aiming at strengthening the valve-like muscle or endoscopic procedures wherein radio-frequency is used to strengthen the muscle.

It would help to remember that surgical interventions, carrying their own pros and cons, may be needed only in severe or extreme cases.

All said and done, it is highly important to consult well-experienced healthcare professionals before resorting to any self-concluded treatment plans.

The Healers’ Clinic has a long reputation of being a one-of-its-kind in the region, where a holistic approach and an integrative acid reflux treatment plan in Dubai or any other plans are a specialty. Starting with a non-linear screening which not only helps reveal the root cause of an ailment but also identifies an individual’s predisposition towards illnesses, to a perfect blend of traditional and modern medicine and this is also applied in the acid reflux treatment in Dubai. The Healers’ Clinic not just cures you but also help you sustain overall health and well-being.