A recent report by the NCBI found that acid reflux is a common digestive disorder around the world. It affects almost 20% of people in North America, and the numbers are even higher elsewhere. When it comes to age, adults are more likely to say they have acid reflux. Acid reflux is a condition that happens when acid from the stomach flows back up into the Oesophagus, which is the food pipe.
Anyone can have it happen to them at some point, and it’s nothing to worry about. You might have a burning feeling in the middle of your chest, a sour taste in your mouth, bad breath, a hoarse voice, repeated hiccups, and a feeling of fullness. You have acid reflux if all of these things happen. But if you have these symptoms for a long time and they don’t go away, you may have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or chronic acid reflux).
Some things can be done at home to treat a condition that is not too bad. Water is one of the best ways to feel better right away. This article is about how drinking water can help with acid reflux. Keep reading!
Does water help acid reflux?
Yes, if you have acid reflux, drinking water can help ease the symptoms. According to a 2012 study on water, the pH level of water acts as an acid neutralizer. This means that the symptoms of acid reflux are lessened and kept under control.
Some facts about alkaline water were found in the study. The study was done to find out if pH 8.8 in alkaline water can stop pepsin from working. Pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins into peptides and helps digestion.
Most water has a ph of 7 or more, which means that it is basic. This helps to dilute stomach acids, which makes them less acidic. The stomach’s pH level is very low. Drinking water will raise the pH level and help relieve heartburn.
Moreover, drinking water boosts metabolism and digestion. Most acidity and heartburn are caused by food that hasn’t been broken down. Drinking water is a good way to get rid of indigestion and get your immune system back on track.
Drinking water all the time helps your body get rid of waste. Toxins only make more acid, which makes acid reflux worse in the long run. A glass of water can help you avoid a lot of trouble.
Water also dilutes the other minerals in your stomach, keeping the electrolyte balance right. But it’s not a long-term answer to the problem. Acid reflux can be treated with more than just water. Your doctor can only give you advice about what medicines you should take next.
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What causes acid reflux
Acid reflux is a burning feeling that happens when acid from the stomach moves up into the esophagus. The LES lower esophagus sphincter is a valve made up of a group of smooth muscles. Its job is to keep acid from flowing back into the esophagus from the stomach. When this valve breaks, acid starts to flow back into the esophagus. The strong acids hurt because the esophagus doesn’t have a lining to protect it as the stomach does.
Acid reflux could be caused by a number of different things. Heartburn can be caused by a lot of acidic foods. For instance:
- Coffee
- alcohol, smoking
- Spicy food
- Not getting enough fiber in your food
- lying down immediately after eating a meal
- chocolate, drinks with bubbles, and juices that are sour
- Acid reflux can also happen if you are overweight or if you are pregnant.
Many of us think that only food is to blame, but any exercise that raises abdominal pressure, like heavy lifting, stomach crunches, or high-impact workouts, can also cause reflux.
Why do so many people have acid reflux now?
Most people have acid reflux at least once or twice a year. GERD has become more common, and 20% of people have it. The more you age, the more likely it is that you will get heart burns. Dr. Philip Katz, a gastroenterologist at Philadelphia’s Graduate Hospital, says that almost everyone gets heartburn after a big meal.
It’s more common because people are eating fattier foods and there are more obese people. Antacids might help people who have occasional heartburn, but they might not be as helpful for people who have GERD. Scientists don’t know for sure what causes heartburn, but surely the way we live and what we eat has something to do with it.
Warm or cold water for acid reflux
One thing that hurts our bodies is when we drink cold water. Many studies have shown that drinking cold water actually warms up the body and stomach. And in the end, this led to poor circulation. If you have heartburn, you should not drink cold water. Use lukewarm water instead. Hot water makes it easier to digest food and gets rid of waste. So, the foods that make your stomach acid come back up will leave your body faster, and you will feel better.
You can even put fruit in your water or drink it as tea. Honey is often added to water because it has antioxidant properties and protects against free radicals in the stomach that can damage the lining of the esophagus.
But there is no proof that they will actually get better because of it. No matter how many people say it works, we still don’t know the exact answers.
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How long does it take for water to heal acid reflux?
If you only drink water to treat acid reflux, you won’t get better. You should definitely take the medicines your doctor has given you. One way to get rid of stomach acid is to drink water. However, to get to the root of the problem, you need to take a course for at least two to three weeks. During this time, you may also need to make changes to your lifestyle, such as eating regular and light meals and switching some medicines that are causing acid reflux. Most of the time, it takes a few weeks for the body to heal. And if the signs of GERD, which is a long-term disease, show up, the chances of surgery also go up. Don’t worry, because the symptoms of acid reflux can often be controlled by making some changes to your lifestyle and taking some medicines.
So, in general, it depends on how bad the disease is. You should only listen to your doctor about how to get better.
There are some tests that will confirm the diagnosis.
- Barium swallow
- Esophageal manometry
- pH monitoring
What changes can help to control acid reflux
One of the best ways to treat it is to get rid of what makes it happen. For instance:
- Having less food and smaller meals
- Getting less drunk and less smokey
- Don’t lie down right after you eat.
- Don’t wear clothes or belts that are too tight.
- Sleep on a raised platform.
- Most of all, you should exercise.
