You may have often experienced that uncomfortable burning sensation in your throat after treating yourself to some fast food. We often refer to this as heartburn caused by the rise of stomach acid through the esophagus – which is the tube that connects our stomach to our mouth. This problem is a lot more prominent in older people, especially those over the age of 65. Many of the elderly are forced to change their diets when they move to elderly homes, which can cause many heartburn issues. There are many causes for this acid reflux that most elderly homes fail to take into account. As a result, an environment of loving home care is not established.
While there are plenty of ways to get rid of it, the use of prescriptions and medicines can be overwhelming for most elderly. This is because they are already taking so many drugs for pre-existing ailments. Therefore, getting rid of heartburn through natural means may be much more beneficial to them and much healthier. Here are a few ways that you can get rid of heartburn naturally:
Aloe Juice
Aloe vera is used extensively for soothing the skin. Still, not many people realize that they can also use aloe juice to ease the effect of acid reflux on the esophagus. Aloe juice has many anti-inflammatory properties that can control acid secretion in the body and remove toxins. They can do this by simply drinking half a cup before meals can go a long way in helping with heartburn and reaping other health benefits.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This is a more well-known treatment for heartburn where simply about three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar are mixed into water and then drunk before meals or going to bed. While it does not taste pleasant, it can help improve digestion. For elderly patients, however, they should consult a doctor before trying this since sometimes it can clash with insulin medication.
Bananas
This seems like a straightforward solution, and you’re right; it is! Bananas contain plenty of antacids, which can soothe your esophagus’s irritation by providing a protective coating on its inner lining. Additionally, bananas have a lot of fiber which can improve your digestion, preventing further heartburn issues. What’s great about bananas is that they’re delicious and easy to eat, and so you can eat them anytime and in any situation.
Yogurt
Yogurt is also a natural and effective way of alleviating acid reflux as it soothes the discomfort in the stomach. Yogurt contains probiotics that can aid in normalizing bowel movement in the stomach. Additionally, it can also ease pain by providing a somewhat cooling effect inside the stomach. The presence of protein in yogurt can help improve digestion as well. Yogurt is widely available and can be paired with most meals and made even more delicious by blending it with various spices and herbs. This can go a long way in helping and also preventing heartburn problems.
Changing Meal Frequency
Studies have shown that eating smaller, more frequent meals can go a long way in dealing with heartburn. This is because larger meals can expand the stomach, which can cause more pressure on your esophagus, causing it to push acid upwards. Not only that, but eating smaller meals will prevent excessive production of acid, which will keep the stomach at ease and reduce acid reflux.
Lifestyle Changes
Being overweight can make heartburn issues more likely, so increasing physical activity can help ensure that these issues are resolved. Understandably, the elderly cannot do much in this aspect, but even going for a simple walk can go a long way and has other health benefits. Reducing foods that trigger heartburn like spicy and fat concentrated foods may remove the issue of heartburn altogether.
Smokers will usually feel the effect of acid reflux a lot more because smoking can harm the esophagus, making acid reflux all the more uncomfortable. Therefore, it is a good idea to stop smoking, especially for elderly folks, so that their esophagus can heal, minimizing the effects of heartburn.
The Bottom Line:
As you can see, the natural ways of eliminating heartburn are cost-effective and straightforward. We’re sure that if you implement them into your lifestyle, your heartburn problems will be severely reduced or eliminated.
