How Do I Stop the Fire?

This wasn't going to be my topic today.  I wanted to tell you about the trip we took last weekend to Cincinnati to visit family and all the activities.  That will have to wait.   I have to tell you about my night last night because it was one of the worst I ever had.  No, my house didn't burn down.  I know that's what you're thinking.  It was much worse!  I had a bout of acid reflux, or GERD, that was so bad I was awake until 5:00 this morning and then got about 2-1/2 hours of sleep.

 I'm talking about this fire in my throat that I felt was burning through the roof of my mouth and into my sinuses.  I've never felt anything like that before.  OMG!  I could hardly swallow and my jaws and temples even hurt.  Raise your hands -- who all has had this before and understand what I'm talking about?

Now I've always had a very sensitive stomach and my stomach hurts after I eat very often, and I "gurgle" a lot, as I call it.  I just never associated any of this with acid reflux.  But since I was in so much pain, the thought came to me.  My mother has this and is on medication and so is my cousin. 

In thinking back through the day, I know what didn't help today.  I went to lunch with a girlfriend and had a meat and cheese panini.  It was very good but it was grilled in a lot of butter.  This came with potato chips, which I ate.  And to drink I had a fairly large frozen cappucino with caramel and whipped cream.  It was delicious, but I had already had 3 cups of coffee that morning.  Then I didn't move for three hours.  We sat and talked until 3 in the afternoon.  Doesn't sound like any big deal, but for me it was suicide.  But I hate doctors and medication so now I'm on a mission.  I never want to experience last night again.  Since I couldn't sleep, I spent from 3 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. researching on the computer.  I found several good sites that were very helpful.  The best one was:  www.ehow.com/about_5074594_symptoms-acid-reflux-disease-women.html -
Another good one was heartburnalliance.org.  This one gave a whole list of foods that need to be avoided and which ones are good.  And the six steps to follow are:  1) eat 5-6 small meals a day  2)avoid caffeine, this includes chocolate (Oh No!!)

3) avoid acidic fruits  4) avoid fatty foods  5) avoid alcohol  6) eat an early supper - at least 2 hours before bed.   #'s 2, 4, & 5 are going to be hard for me.

 I love my coffee in the morning.  But this morning I made a pot of decaf. green tea and it was actually very good.

 And I love to have a glass of wine in the evening while I prepare dinner.

 I'm not sure what I'm going to substitue there yet.  Another tip I read was to drink 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 1/2 glass of water with your last meal.  Mmm! Sounds so good. I guess that will become my new "wine".  Fatty foods I can easily avoid, its just that I like them a lot.  These are basically good healthy eating habits anyway and certainly can only be good for you no matter what. 

The articles also say you should exercise to get everything moving in the right direction.  Gravity is a good thing.  Sitting at this computer as much as I am is not the best.  I need to get back to my walking on good days and yoga every morning at 8:30.  (I just got back from a 1/2 hour walk with the dogs).
The final major natural remedy is to avoid stress.  Well, I don't believe you can avoid it, but it can certainly be handled and managed.
So there, I'm motivated by not ever wanting to feel like that again and not wanting to end up in the hospital or on medication.  And you know, my Bob and I are really very healthy people and have always enjoyed good eating and physical fitness.  I have to admit, though, and now I've been hit over the head about it, I have strayed lately.  So it's back to a healthier lifestyle for me.  As an added bonus, I should probably have no trouble losing that extra five pounds I've wanted to get rid of. 
The menu for dinner is: lean steak, rice and mixed vegetables.  All on my good list of foods.
I hope none of you experience any of these problems, but if you do I hope my experience and research helps a little.
Here's To Your Health!