Acid Reflux and a couple of questions?

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by scaramouchebluez

Also garlic only temporarily worsens acid but in the long run it neurtalizes it. Adding MORE acid to your stomach like garlic, vinegar, mustard can cause your body to produce less acid.

I'm curious about this. I have hearburn from time to time, especially after pizza and some red sauces like marinara. I used to take Tums for it but have been trying to avoid that stuff for some reason.

But from time to time, like once a month or less, I think I get acid reflux. I wake up and feel like I'm choking on battery acid, try to get up and spit out what I can. It's gross. I have to gargle and drink ice water before I go back to bed... then a Tums or two.

But recently, this guy at my work has been drinking apple cider vinegar, raw unfiltered, and raw honey to cut his cholesterol. I got curious so I've been doing it. This other guy at work told me he uses that to prevent acid reflux and heartburn.

I don't know about all of this. I'm not a heartburn expert nor am I an acid refluxologist. But since I've been taking this stuff, I've had neither so far. I found the best way for me is to take a cup of water and bring it to an almost boil, put in two tblsp of honey and about 3 tblsp of vinegar and it tastes sort of like a virgin hot-toddy. I try to drink one per day.

I understand that there are perhaps many causes for some of these symptoms and perhaps we all don't respond the same way. But I hope this works for me. Going forward, I will try to cut down on the coffee, red sauce, pizza, etc.

[jtur88]

If your acid reflux goes on too long, there will be permanent damage. But if you catch it early on, it is very easy to prevent. Identify the foods that cause it, and stop eating them. Make sure you're finished with supper at least three or four hours before you go to bed -- before 7 pm, for most people -- no second helpings, and go easy on nighttime snacks, or cut them out completely. If you're overweight, address that issue.

Things like Tums are a very bad idea to take regularly, avoid them, except for an occasional attack.