Food plays an essential role in our lives, and looking after our digestive health is of utmost importance for our overall well-being. Digestive issues are some of the most common ailments worldwide. Acid reflux and gas in stomach, in particular, are significant concerns that affect the quality of our daily life.
Gastric acid is necessary for digestion of your food, but sometimes, it can flow up the food pipe, the oesophagus, and cause irritation and discomfort. This is known as acid reflux or acidity. When acid reflux happens too often or too severely, it might be an indication of gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux and GERD. Burning sensation in the chest and throat is known as heartburn.
Acid reflux may also result in headaches. The gastric system and the nervous system are intrinsically connected. The fundamental unit of the nervous system and the brain are called neurons. According to an article published in Nature Reviews Neurosciences, there are between 200 to 600 million neurons in the gut, forming what is known as the enteric nervous system (ENS), which is embedded along the lining of the gastrointestinal system. The network of communication between your gut and your brain is known as the gut-brain axis. According to a review published in Emergency in 2016, studies suggest that there is evidence of an association between gastrointestinal disorders and primary headaches. However, there has not been enough conclusive research to determine whether digestive issues cause headaches, or headaches can lead to digestive problems.
Besides consulting your doctor for treatment and relief of your digestive concerns regarding acidity, gas, and digestion-related headaches, some simple changes at home can make a difference. So, let’s have a look at some of the home remedies for headache and to control acidity and gas!
10 Home Remedies To Control Acidity and Gas
- Pay attention to your eating habits: Eating too fast can make you swallow more air, which can cause gas and hinder proper digestion. Overeating can also cause problems. A review article published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics suggests that larger meals may make symptoms of reflux worse.
- Avoid carbonated drinks: The carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages causes belching, which relaxes the lower esophageal muscle, it acts as a valve between the stomach and the oesophagus. Its frequent relaxation can allow gastric acid to move upwards. An observational study published in Chest suggested that consumption of carbonated soft drinks may affect heartburn.
- Limit spicy and high-carb food: Eating foods that are too spicy can cause digestive issues, including acid reflux and gas. Improper digestion of carbs can also impact acid reflux. Findings of a report published in the journal Alternative Therapies, Health and Medicine suggests that low-carb may reduce the manifestation of GERD symptoms. Cutting down on foods that trigger acidity and other digestive problems can also prevent associated headaches.
- Move about: Walking after eating meals may help with gas. However, strenuous exercise may worsen acid reflux, so make sure to keep your physical exertion mild immediately after eating.
- Limit eating raw onion: A study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology suggests that consuming raw onion can increase heartburn.
- Sleep at an incline: Acidity can be exacerbated during sleep, and sleeping at an angle may stop stomach acid from flowing upwards into the oesophagus. Similarly, staying upright after meals can reduce chances of acid reflux.
- Cut down on alcohol: Alcohol can be significantly detrimental to the health of your digestive system. A review in The American Journal of Gastroenterology shows alcohol can stimulate acid secretion, hence exacerbating acidity.
- Regulate caffeine consumption: A study published in the journal Gastroenterology suggests that coffee may cause or aggravate heartburn by causing the lower esophageal sphincter to weaken. While caffeine can help with headaches, withdrawal from it can actually trigger headaches due to a sudden enlargement of blood vessels narrowed by caffeine consumption.
- Drink water: Dehydration can be a significant cause of headaches. Moreover, substituting beverages which increase irritation of the digestive system with water may be helpful in regulating symptoms.
- Chew gum: Chewing gum produces more saliva, which can serve as a buffer for the stomach acid. In a trial published in Journal of Dental Research, chewing gum was observed to reduce esophageal acid reflux in participants.
