Silent reflux is unpleasant and causes cold-like symptoms such as hoarseness or coughing. Home remedies can alleviate the discomfort.
In many cases, silent reflux can be treated with a home remedy. Medicines that reduce stomach acid production are not necessarily needed. These tips can help you improve your own well-being.
Silent reflux: Stomach acid problems without heartburn
Instead of taking medicines, many patients want their silent reflux to be relieved by home remedies. This works for mild symptoms. A look at the medical background shows how home remedies for silent reflux work.
If you know it, it’s not pretty: heartburn, also called reflux. But instead of the phenomenon of reflux, the condition described here, silent reflux, is not about heartburn. This is due to the form of stomach acid, which in this case also rises, but not as liquid – and thus triggers typical symptoms of silent reflux, but just no heartburn.
Reflux and silent reflux are among the most common gastrointestinal complaints. The diagnosis is made by an ENT doctor, for example.
How does silent reflux occur ?
The stomach contains hydrochloric acid and enzymes to partially digest food. A muscle at the top of the stomach prevents stomach acid from rising to the top. If this muscle is weakened or if you have a hiatal hernia (a hernia of the diaphragm), gastric juice will enter the oesophagus, causing the typical heartburn.
Gaseous stomach acid can also rise to the top. Patients then suffer from inflammation, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, coughing or have problems speaking. However, they do not have heartburn, hence the term “silent reflux”. In addition to medications, home remedies are also used for treatment – because home remedies can help as a therapy for silent reflux. The goal is always to bind the stomach acid.
Silent reflux: Home remedies that help with treatment
Silent reflux is unpleasant for sufferers. These seven home remedies for silent reflux provide quick relief :
1. Bicarbonate of soda
Baking soda is a well-known household remedy for silent reflux. It quickly neutralises the excess acid and is suitable for immediate relief. However, it should only be taken for a short time. This is because the stomach reacts by producing new acid. This can even worsen the symptoms.
2. Ginger
Silent reflux can also be alleviated with ginger as a home remedy. The plant has long been known in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Its ingredients stimulate the movement of the stomach. Food leaves the digestive organ more quickly and less acid is formed. An infusion with a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger, which you leave to infuse for ten minutes and then strain, is good for this. Drink unsweetened if possible.
3. Ripe bananas
Silent reflux: As a home remedy, symptoms in the oesophagus can also be relieved with bananas. They should be ripe and well chewed. Mucilage from bananas protects the stomach lining, but also binds excess acid.
4. Diet for silent reflux
A change in diet can also improve the symptoms of silent reflux as a home remedy. Vegetables that are not very acidic, such as broccoli, cauliflower or pumpkin, are particularly suitable for this diet to relieve the oesophagus. Lean meat and potatoes, wholemeal bread or wholemeal pasta are also allowed. When it comes to fruit, you should also pay attention to low acidity. In addition to bananas, some apples, mangoes, grapes, pears or melons have proven to be good.
5. Camomile tea
Naturopathic doctors recommend a so-called rolling cure for silent reflux: Drink a sip of chamomile tea and lie down on your back, stomach, left and right side. This is said to reduce inflammation in the stomach.
6. Alkaline mineral water
Silent reflux can also be relieved with alkaline mineral water as a home remedy. The pH value is slightly higher than 7.0 and the drink binds excess acid and neutralises it. In the long term, however, it must be remembered that the stomach reacts to this and releases acid again.
7. Healing clay
Silent reflux is a condition for which you can use healing clay as a home remedy. It is a very finely powdered mineral. A teaspoon of it is mixed with water and drunk – preferably several times a day. Healing clay binds excess acid. The symptoms subside.
Silent reflux: Home remedies don’t help? Then go to the doctor
If the symptoms do not subside or if they are accompanied by nausea and vomiting, it is important to consult a doctor.
Important note : The information in this article is for information purposes only and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. If you have any uncertainties, urgent questions or complaints, you should contact your doctor.