Several millions of people experience heartburn and acid reflux. The most frequently employed treatment for acid reflux involves the use of commercial medications, such as omeprazole. Fortunately, a few lifestyle changes may be useful to get you out of this problem. Making a few dietary and lifestyle changes can reduce acid reflux symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.

Let us take a look at the top 5 ways to treat acid reflux at home. 

Try Chewing Some Gum
The saliva in your mouth dilutes the acid. So, increasing the amount of saliva generated after every meal is one of the best ways to prevent acid production. You can chew a stick of gum for about half an hour to decrease acid reflux. 

Elevate the Bed  
If you are unfit or are sleeping and cannot stand up, you can consider elevating your bed’s level from the waist down. Just lifting the head will not suffice because to get relief from acid reflux, the stomach level should be raised. It ensures that your digestive juices flow in the required direction. 

Eliminate the Triggers
A few foods trigger acid reflux, such as fatty foods, tomatoes, mint, spicy food, onions, garlic, chocolate, alcohol, tea, and coffee. So, if you consume these foods, you should try eliminating them from your diet. We do not say you cut them, but rather try the elimination method. If on doing so, your reflux is under control, great. If not, try adding them one by one, and note the change. 

Losing Some Weight
If you have just gained a few pounds and have suddenly started experiencing acid reflux, you know the cause. Acid reflux is common in people who are overweight, so losing a little weight is helpful. Some studies suggest that in a person with high BMI, the fat percentage is higher, and that implies that there is a chance of a more severe GERD. You might experience acid reflux if you are wearing super-tight clothing. It is because your tight pants can increase the pressure on the digestive system, which can trigger the release of excess acid in the stomach, thereby causing reflux. 

Do Not overeat
The esophagus’s point of opening into the stomach has a ring-like muscle, which is called the lower esophageal sphincter. It works as a valve and prevents the acidic content in your stomach from traveling back to the esophagus. This opens up on its own when you vomit, belch, or swallow. In other cases, it stays closed. In people who have acid reflux, the muscle either becomes dysfunctional or is weakened. Acid reflux may also occur if the pressure on the muscle is too high. It can make the acid squeeze through the opening. Usually, the reflux occurs after a meal. So, if you consume large quantities, the symptoms aggravate. 

Aside from the 5 abovementioned ways to treat acid reflux at home, consuming smaller meals is highly recommended.