6 Ways to Treat Acid Reflux, Note Down the Steps!
Almost everyone must have experienced acid reflux at least once in their life. However, some people experience acid reflux episodes more frequently than others, namely those with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. So, are there ways to manage acid reflux?
Essentially, you do not need to worry, because there are several ways to treat acid reflux quickly and effectively. You just need to note and follow the steps below so that food already digested in the gastric (stomach) does not flow back into the esophagus!
1. Improve Your Diet

Did you know that the cause of acid reflux is diet-related? If you are late in filling your stomach, various GERD symptoms like heartburn can occur and make you feel uncomfortable. In addition, you can also experience it when you eat too much.
As a tip, you can change your diet from 2-3 times a day to 4-5 times a day. Make sure to fill your stomach at least every 4-6 hours, especially if you have intense and severe GERD.
However, reduce each portion size. This is because portions that are too large can prevent the sphincter muscle in the upper stomach from closing perfectly, making it easy for food to flow back into the esophagus.[1]
2. Start Eating Before You're Hungry and Stop Before You're Full

In addition to the right diet, proper timing is also very important to manage acid reflux. Finding the right timing is actually relatively easy; you just need to start eating before you are hungry and stop before you feel full.
This is because when you eat, the muscles in the stomach will contract and push the natural acidic liquid present there.[2] Stomach contractions will also make you feel pain and discomfort. This discomfort will also arise when you are too full.
If you want to know when to stop eating, try eating slowly. You can take a pause between each bite so that the sensory receptors in the stomach can tell the brain that you are full.
3. Avoid Eating Too Late at Night

When discussing how to manage acid reflux at night, you might think that the stomach must always be full so it is not empty in the morning. However, in reality, that is not entirely correct. Conversely, you need to avoid eating too late, especially near bedtime.
According to research, it is recommended not to consume any food at least 3 hours before sleep.[3] This is because the body's metabolism is slower at night, especially when you are sleeping. If you feel hungry at night, consuming mineral water is actually enough.
4. Avoid Lying Down Immediately After Eating

Basically, the most effective way to manage acid reflux after eating is to avoid lying down immediately. This is because the positions of the gastro and the esophagus become parallel. This position can make food that has been digested in the gastro flow out more easily.
Therefore, ensure your esophagus is positioned higher than your stomach by sitting upright. If you want to lie down, make sure to wait 1-2 hours after eating. Using a higher pillow when lying down might reduce the risk of acid reflux occurring.
5. Take Antacid Medication

If the acid reflux you feel is accompanied by nausea and heartburn, taking antacid medication can be an option. This medicine is a combination of many compounds, ranging from calcium salts, magnesium, to aluminum. It works by neutralizing acid in the stomach.[4]
Interestingly, you do not need a doctor's prescription to take this type of medication in low doses. However, if your GERD symptoms are more severe than usual, getting antacid medication with a doctor's prescription will be much better and safer for you.
6. Consume Natural Ingredients Good for the Gastric

If you want a safer alternative, you can try to manage acid reflux naturally by consuming turmeric and black pepper. Both of these natural ingredients have long been believed to treat various stomach problems, including acid reflux episodes.
Besides in their natural form, you can also consume turmeric and black pepper through herbal supplements, such as the Sido Muncul Natural Sari Kunyit Plus Soft Capsule product. With proper and appropriate consumption, this supplement can help you manage various GERD symptoms.
So, taking this product is a fast and effective way to manage acid reflux. This is because in every capsule of this herbal medicine, there are active substances curcuminoid and piperine which can help you neutralize acidic liquid in the gastric. Don't forget to read the usage instructions for safer consumption!