Reflux oesophagitis: how to identify it and what to take to combat it

Reflux oesophagitis is a condition that occurs in the lining of the oesophagus, the muscular tube that runs from the throat or pharynx to the stomach. This food pipe becomes inflamed, swollen or irritated, often due to gastro-oesophageal reflux. Gastro-oesophageal reflux occurs when the lower oesophageal sphincter, which usually prevents stomach contents from rising, is not working properly.

Below we take a closer look at the main symptoms of reflux oesophagitis, the risk factors that can lead to it and how it can be cured in a completely natural way.

How do I know if I have reflux oesophagitis?

The fluid that rises from the stomach into the oesophagus contains acid, which can cause several symptoms that will help you to identify more accurately whether you have gastro-oesophageal reflux:

• Heartburn (also called sour stomach), which is a burning sensation behind the breastbone. It is the most obvious sign.

• Acid regurgitation, where fluid from the stomach rises so high that it reaches the mouth can cause the following other symptoms:

• Difficulty in breathing and also in swallowing food or drink.

• Coughing.
  • Sore throat and pain on swallowing.
  • Chest pain when eating.
  • Hoarseness.

Risk factors

The rising stomach contents that cause reflux oesophagitis are more likely to appear after meals. The explanation is that our stomach has a high volume and increased acidity due to the food that has been eaten.

In any case, certain factors or circumstances contribute to an increased likelihood of gastro-oesophageal reflux, which can be alleviated with natural treatment. These are in particular:

• Tobacco smoking, especially frequent smoking.

• Regular or excessive drinking of alcohol.

• Suffering from obesity or experiencing weight gain.

• Lying down after eating a large meal. Also, when standing or sitting, gravity helps to prevent reflux, which is not the case when lying flat.

• Eating large quantities of fatty foods.

• Certain drugs (without drinking a lot of water) such as alendronate, doxycycline, ibandronate, risedronate or tetracycline. If they alter the functionality of the lower oesophageal sphincter, they are a risk factor.

On the other hand, specific beverages such as coffee and caffeinated or carbonated soft drinks, as well as chocolate, can worsen the symptoms of reflux oesophagitis.

This problem can be aggravated by the development of ulcers in the alimentary canal, by its narrowing and even by changes in the cells that line it.

How reflux oesophagitis is cured

You should know that natural treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux is an option that could avoid the side effects of multiple drugs used in the treatment of this condition.

Antacid solutions are preparations that can be made at home with readily available ingredients. These preparations act as natural protectors, and can be made with the following ingredients:

• Ginger tea and a little cinnamon for flavour.

• Liquorice infusion with camomile. The latter plant also has many terpenoids and flavonoids.

• Raw cabbage and potato juice, after being peeled, grated and squeezed to extract the liquid. It is a great stomach healer.

• Aloe vera juice is a plant with vitamin B, mucilage and essential amino acids that reduce oesophageal irritation and internally repair our tissues.

In addition to these home remedies, you can add an organic silica food supplement to your diet, such as Silicium G7 Original. A product that can help improve stomach acidity by eliminating toxins from the body. A body that accumulates toxins and does not eliminate them properly often experiences digestive problems such as reflux. In addition to this, you will also avoid feeling more tired, insomnia, fluid retention, metabolic disorders, etc.

If the symptoms are not relieved, you feel more pain, you cannot eat well and, in general, reflux oesophagitis does not disappear after a few days with natural treatment, it is advisable to see your doctor.

Other treatments

The doctor may prescribe medicines to treat heartburn. In particular, those that are proton pump inhibitors, such as Omeprazole. Omeprazole also reduces gastric acid production, but its use has harmful long-term effects. Other histamine-2-blocking drugs may also be effective.

Finally, there is the option of surgery if you cannot tolerate the drugs and oesophagitis becomes a serious problem. Then, the minimally invasive procedure to solve it is fundoplication, using the laparoscopic technique.