Acid reflux is caused by an abnormal reflux of stomach contents to the esophagus when the lower esophageal sphincter flaps open. If left untreated, it could lead to ulcer or esophageal cancer. That's why you should get diagnosed early to make sure you have acid reflux and to get the right treatment. But in case you don't know, there are a variety of cures for acid reflux you can find. You can choose from so many types of cures available - medications, simple lifestyle changes, and surgical procedures.

A. Lifestyle Changes

If you have acid reflux, one of the things you need to do is to change your daily diet by carefully including the foods that should be taken and those which should not be.

Now, you might want to know what could be the best diet for acid reflux.

To give you an idea, here are some specific foods that you should avoid to prevent acid reflux attacks:

- Chocolate

- Coffee

- Spearmint and peppermint

- Alcoholic drinks

- Fruit juices like orange juice, lemon, lemonade, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice

- Ground beef, chuck

- Marbled sirloin

- Chicken nuggets

- Buffalo wings

- Dairy products such as sour cream, milk shake, ice cream and regular cottage cheese

- Macaroni and cheese

- Spaghetti with sauce

- Tea

- Fatty foods and fried foods

- Onions

- Citrus fruits

- Spicy foods

- Products which are tomato-based

- Caffeinated drinks

- Spices such as garlic, onions, red or black pepper and chili powder

- Baked food high in fat like butter cookies, brownies, doughnuts,

- Junk foods like corn chips and regular potato chips

It was known that drinking milk can be a speedy cure to acid reflux. However, you should know that milk incites an action and encourages secretion of more stomach acid, causing acid reflux.

So, individuals with acid reflux should have a diet in which they eat in small amounts at dinner and follow it up with a small snack before going to bed, crackers for instance.

Likewise, they should make sure that their food are high in complex carbohydrates. This includes breads, rice and pasta; this fixes the excessive acid in the stomach, hence, giving it an easy feeling.

You must chew your food thoroughly, spend at least twenty minutes at mealtime.

B. Medications

Antacids. These medications neutralize your stomach acids and increase the production of mucus and bicarbonate.

Histamine blockers block acid the production in the body by stopping histamine, a chemical that boosts the production and secretion of acids.

Proton pump inhibitors trim down the production of stomach acids by reacting with the cells found in the stomach wall which produce and release acids into the stomach. However, there are side effects, although uncommon, include diarrhea, headache, itching, and nausea.

C. Surgical Procedures

Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication is done by tightening the walls of the esophagus in the area next to the stomach then adding pressure to the lower esophageal muscles. This surgery eliminates acid reflux by preventing the gastric juices from reaching the throat and esophagus.

Intraluminal endoscopic surgery involves a small optical, tubular instrument that is needed to be inserted in the body and at the same time, view the inner parts of the body that needs surgical or biopsy attention.

There are natural remedies worth trying, in case you're afraid of surgeries and you don't want medications. They are effective, just take your time and keep using them. Examples of these are apple cider vinegar, Deglycyrrhizinated licorice, ginger, aloe vera juices and glutamine.

Apple cider vinegar, for one, is a choice to patients who don't find comfort in antacids. The strong metallic taste of it is something not to ignore, for some. If you don't like its taste, honey can be mixed. Two or more tablespoons with eight ounces of water can give you an easy, comfy feeling and can protect you from destructive stomach acids. Three to nine months is the recommended waiting time period for it to get rid of your condition completely. As with any other remedy, whether it's commercial or natural, you should not be hasty and self-medicate. Ask for your doctor's prescription first.

These are just some of the best cures for acid reflux. But if you want a natural treatment, head over to my review of the book that helped thousands get rid of their acid reflux naturally and permanently.