What kind of a diet should be followed for heartburn, and could pro-biotic help her?

Digestive enzymes work very well at controling heartburn. As we age, we lose alot of those natural enzymes that break down our food which starts as we chew our food...our saliva starts the process. If you have a local health food store, you can symply go in and tell them about the heartburn and they will suggest to you which ones will work best. My mom has this problem, and just went on previced I think it was, and she now has a hole in her esophagus. These acid proton inhibitors stop ALL acid which is not good because you do need the acid in your stomach, so your body tries to produce even more, and you end up with more complications such as my mom. Whenever you can get something natural to your body heal itself, it's a good idea. Sometimes if the damage is too far gone, you may have to rely upon meds, because it's the only choice. A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar works well too. Just go on the internet and look up uses for apple cider vinegar and its usefulness as a heartburn remedy. Also check out digestive enzymes on the internet as well. It just might be what you are looking for. Good luck.

Is your mom overweight? That often can cause heartburn and digestive problems. Is your mom in a nursing home or at home? Simple real foods that are not highly seasoned or processed would be a start. Oatmeal, cream of wheat, scrambled eggs, yogurt, bananas, applesauce, vanilla ensure, cooked veggies, rice, mashed potatoes, melons. Don't give her fatty meats and cheeses...stick to chicken and fish. My concern would be that your mother may not like it if you changed her diet. My mother is 89 with dementia and she has dwindled herself down to eating only scrambled eggs, bananas, yogurt, ensure, cookies, cupcakes, chocolate, mashed potatoes and fruit cocktail. If she doesn't like it, she will spit it out or just say it is poison and not even taste it. She has no stomach problems. Just giving up citrus or tomatoes could help...or just adding yogurt. Perhaps the caregiver has tried different foods and the ones that she gives your mother are the ones that your mother will eat. Unless you are the one preparing, serving the food and sitting with her while she eats it, it is hard to have control over what your mom eats. If you or someone could keep a log of what she eats, that would be a start in identifying what bothers her stomach.

I think probiotics is great to try, my husband drinks aloe vera juice (as seen on Dr. Oz) and it has helped his heartburn so much that he does not take prilosec when he uses the aloe vera

bilmo...you are alright...I don't mind you calling a quack, a quack. That is the least of my worries and I have heard and said much worse. Don't go anywhere...eat some yogurt.:)

Chimonger, you have much knowledge about the probiotics, I was not aware of.

Oh yes! Those small meals, this is exactly what has not been happening over there, it's been more like big ones, especially for a small elderly woman. Actually, most of the suggestions, which are what I've tried to encourage my sister to follow, and really have that caregiver follow also. Also, my mom does not really do enough walking. Most of the time she goes from the dining table, straight to the couch to watch tv, and ends up falling asleep there. So all of these ingredients add up to what she is feeling. Well Chimonger, I'm going to keep insisting, this is my role, as the visiting caregiver. Again thank you, it's very helpful and very appreciated! Love & light! Margeaux

Patricia, thanks for mom's belated birthday wishes! Yes, part of all of this scenario at mom's household, is that she just lost her narcissistic sister, who'd also been living there w/mom and my sister. She and her health problems were very taxing on the family, and she just passed in Jan. So for some time, although mom was being well taken care of, the sister had front stage center. So now there are some readjustments we are going through, and now being able to focus on our mother.

I love the Mediterranean diet also. We try to follow it as much as possible; but husband does need his meat every now and again.

Thank you so much again, Lot's of love & light! Margeaux

Bilmo, thanks very much for the suggestion about the Greek yougurt.
I'm going to buy some, and take it to mom, next time I go there. Margaux

Monicajoy, Thank you for explaining about the acid proton inhibitors. I'm learning, and really being reminded of things I've read over the years, and had forgotten about with regards to healing the digestive tract. Margeaux

Heartburn is so uncomfortable! Hope you got resolution.
Perhaps I misunderstood?
I thot Margeaux asked if there were other things to do about heartburn/reflux, whether probiotics or a special dietary might help, and mentioned a caregiver non-compliant with care guidelines.
I addressed those items; it's no quackery; ya'll got benefit of years of professional experience.
Free.
I wish you well!

Good Morning Chimonger,

You definitely understood my question. My mother is already taking blood pressure, and her ALZ medications. I'm aware from research I have done how one destroys beneficial flora and enzymes. So particularly for this reason, I at least am looking for an alternative approach to help her. I was not aware that Acidoophilus vs. Bifidobacterium had opposite effects on the system. Mom is feeling better apparently this week. A big Thank You! Love & light! Margeaux