Bile juice is a digestive enzyme present in the body and it is secreted by bile duct. Bile reflux occurs when the bile gets accumulated in...
Bile juice is a digestive enzyme present in the body and it is secreted by bile duct. Bile reflux occurs when the bile gets accumulated in the stomach or even backs up in your esophagus. This gives a very uneasy sensation and causes you to vomit. Bile reflux will make the gastric acid to reflux too. This is known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease. This is a serious issue because it causes inflammation of the esophageal tissue.
Although gastric reflux is quite serious and needs treatment, bile reflux can be controlled by changes in the diet or lifestyle.
Symptoms of bile reflux:
Bile reflux is very difficult to differentiate from GERD. The symptoms of GERD and this are similar and occur at the same time.
Here are symptoms of bile reflux :
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Heartburn which occurs very often. Heartburn is a burning sensation in your chest, usually occurs due to acid reflux or bile reflux . This spreads up to the throat and causes a sour taste in your mouth.
- Nausea
- Vomiting bile; bile is a greenish-yellow liquid
- Cough or hoarseness
- Extreme unintended weight loss.
What is bile reflux?
Bile digests the fats in the body and is also used to destroy the worn-out blood cells. The bile juice is made in the liver and stored in the gall bladder. The bile duct then secretes the bile juice into the intestine for aiding digestion.
If you eat a meal and it has even a minor quantity of fat, then also the bile is secreted. It is secreted in the upper part of the small intestine.
What is bile reflux?
Bile reflux in the stomach:
In the digestion process, the food is mixed in the bile juice in the duodenum. Then the food along with the bile goes into the small intestine little by little. The pyloric valve is a set of muscles that control this action. Moreover, they do not let the food to regurgitate to the stomach.
When the pyloric muscles become weak, there is bile and food reflux into the stomach. This causes inflammation of the gastric tissue mainly the stomach lining. This could also be chronic
Hence, it is vey serious as it interferes wit the digestion.
Esophageal bile reflux:
The anatomy of the stomach is in such a way that once the food enters the stomach it goes only into the intestine in an orderly manner. This means that it does not go up the esophagus again from he stomach. This is controlled by a valve present between the stomach and esophagus known as the esophageal sphincter.
When the food along with the gastric juices like acid and bile enter the esophageal region, it occurs. It causes a burning sensation in the chest known as heartburn.
Hence, it leads to the inflammation and damage of the esophagus.
What causes bile reflux to occur ?
These are some causes of bile reflux.
Complications during a surgery:
This could occur in stomach surgery including partial or complete stomach removal surgery. These complications can also occur with bypass surgery for weight loss.
Peptic ulcer:
When a peptic ulcer occur when there is increase in acid secretion and bacterial infection. This can also shut or open the pyloric valve and interferes with its functioning. This can lead to stagnation of food in stomach and it causes the bile acid and acid to wash up the esophagus.
Gall bladder surgery:
Gall bladder surgery is done when there are a lot of gall stones in the bladder which causes obstruction of bile juice. Moreover, in this surgery there is complete removal of gall bladder. So the secretions directly enter the duodenum.
Complications arising with bile reflux:
Bile reflux is associated with stomach cancer. It is also associated with the following complications:
GERD( Gastroesophageal reflux disease)
This is a complication associated with bile reflux. In this condition the stomach acid mixes with bile and regurgitates. You can treat this condition and it is most commonly associated with this disease.
Barrett's esophagus:
This condition occurs when the tissue of the esophagus gets destroyed due to acid. This is a serious condition which leads to regurgitation of stomach acid and bile to the esophagus. This increase the risk of developing cancerous condition.
Esophageal cancer:
The esophageal cancer is mostly related to bile reflux and acid reflux conditions. In animal studies, it was seen that it causes cancer of the esophagus.
Natural home remedies for bile reflux treatment:
Bile reflux can be treated with diet management. Here are some alterations in the diet and lifestyle that will help with treatment:
- Stop smoking
- Eat frequently having small meals, instead of eating all at once.
- Try and avoid fatty foods
- Avoid foods and beverages like chocolate and soda.
- Avoid alcohol as it increases bile juice production
- Do not sleep on flat bed, instead raise your bed so that the upper abdomen is at an incline comfortable for sleeping. This avoids the reflux into the esophagus and stomach.
- Try to remain calm and practice meditation to relieve stress.
- Have more apples and apple cider vinegar.
Here are some herbs that will help in bile reflux treatment:
Licorice: *img
This herb is very effective to treat the problems related to the gastric tract. Moreover, licorice is very sweet in taste and pleasant. It treats the heartburn caused due to reflux and other symptoms associated with chronic acid reflux.
Licorice is also great in treating nausea, cramps, vomiting and numbing pain. It helps in formation a protective layer on the wall of the stomach called as the mucus lining. The mucus lining protects the stomach wall from acid in the stomach.
You can have licorice in the form of a tea, candy drops etc. However, before taking licorice, you should consult your doctor. This is because it is not good for patients with hypertension or diabetes.
Chamomile tea for bile reflux: *img
Chamomile is an herb which is great for fighting inflammation and prevents . Hence it is a must have for bile reflux treatment. Fortunately, chamomile has no side effects. It contains mucilage which protects the lining of the esophagus.
You can have chamomile in the form of a tea.
Orange peel: *img
Orange peel is great for reducing surface tension of liquid contents inside the stomach. Hence, it reduces the episode and helps in bile reflux treatment. It also helps in good digestion of the food in the body.
Slippery elm: *img
As the name suggests this herb is slippery, which means that it has a high amount of mucilage in it. This mucilage helps in coating of the esophageal and stomach lining. Slippery elm also reduces the occurrence of reflux.
Hence it is very helpful; for bile reflux treatment and heartburn.
Melissa : *img
It has nice calming and soothing properties and relieves stress and anxiety.
Garlic: *img
Garlic is a great remedy for any problems in the body. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties so it is very god for bile reflux treatment. It also helps in reducing cholesterol. Just add garlic to all the foods like salads. It has great flavor and goes with everything.
Cold milk: *img
Cold milk is advised when you have acidity and it is probably the best remedy. Milk also helps in bile reflux treatment as it relieves heartburn and reflux in the esophagus. The cooling sensation gives a soothing effect in the digestive tract.
Apples and apple cider vinegar(ACV): *img
Apples are a great for bile reflux treatment. They create a basic state in the stomach and help in neutralizing the stomach acid. Hence, this aids in reducing the chances of complications like GERD. People suffering with this should eat at least half an apple after every meal.
ACV is a very popular remedy for bile reflux.
Yoga for bile reflux treatment:
Here are some yoga poses for bile reflux treatment:
Forward bend pose: *img
This pose is great for bile acid reflux treatment. Forward bend pose massages all the internal organs of the abdomen. Hence it helps to improve the functions of the stomach, intestine and bile duct.
Steps:
Sit on the floor with your back straight and legs straight on the floor. Then bend slowly so that the nose touches the knees or legs. Hold your toes with your fingers.
It might be hard at first because of less flexibility. However, as you practice this pose daily, you will notice that your flexibility increases.
Reclining butterfly pose: *img
Steps to do this pose:
Lie straight on the floor with your feet extended. Now, bend your knees in such a way that the soles of your feet touch each other. Then start bringing the heels closer to the pelvic area as far as you can. Hold this position for a few minutes and then come back to relaxed position.
Cat pose: *img
Steps to do this pose:
Stand on all fours on the floor with your knees and palms on the floor. Then inhale as you bend your spine in such a way that the belly is in dip position and the hips are up. Then exhale as you round your spine tilting your head and tail bone towards the floor just like a cat.
This pose helps in improving blood circulation to the digestive tract.
Thunder bolt pose: *img
Practice this pose just after the meal for great digestion.
Steps:
Kneel on the floor. Then sit on the lower legs in a such a way that toes of the feet touch the buttocks. Meanwhile, keep your back straight. Sit in this position for as long as you could immediately after having food.
Half spinal twist pose: *img
This pose helps in detoxification of the body. It also improves the circulation to the digestive tract, hence aiding its function.
Steps:
Sit on the floor with legs straight in front of you. Then gradually bend the left knee and bring the right leg closer to the pelvic region just as cross legged position. Bend your right knee and keep your right feet over the left knee. Now, bring your left arm across your right knee in such a way that there is a twist in the spine.
Stay in this position for some time and then come back to the original position.
Keywords:
Bile reflux
what is bile reflux
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Chronic bile reflux gastritis treatment
Home remedies for bile reflux
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