If you have ever dealt with acid reflux at one point in your life then you’re aware of how harmful this issue can be. It puts a painful crimp in your daily life in numerous ways. But this disease is not hopeless. You have choices you can make that will help it become much, much more bearable. Continue reading to learn how you can gain full control of your life again.
Eating certain foods can increase the symptoms of acid reflux. It’s not uncommon to bolt your food quickly and to excess. This is an improper way to eat and only serves to make things worse in the future. Instead, you should eat only until you are satisfied, not full. You should also make a conscious effort to eat more slowly. Chew food carefully, and set your fork on the table between bites.
Stress can cause acid reflux. When stress rears its head, acid production increases, causing reflux. Therefore, you should relax while eating and after each meal. You can watch some television, read a good book or do anything relaxing.
Try drinking in between meals instead of during them. The way to address your hunger is to eat, not to drink. Also, if you drink outside of eating times, you’ll find your stomach doesn’t get as distended when you eat and acid doesn’t pass back up into your esophagus.
Acid reflux can be triggered with some foods. These foods include alcohol, caffeine, fried foods and chocolate. Additionally, citrus fruit, tomatoes and other foods with a high level of acidity can cause problems. However, triggers are an individual thing so you need to read your own body to just what is not working for you. In order to be safe, you should stay away from these foods.
Fatty foods make acid reflux more. Fatty foods can cause your esophageal sphincter to relax, letting acid flow upwards. Fatty foods cause weight gain, which also adds to acid reflux problems. You need to make sure you eat healthier to stay healthy.
You must stay upright when eating and for at least a few hours after your meal. Lying down can force acid back up into your esophagus. This will help you feel comfortable when you stand.
Do you smoke? If so, you need to quit now. Smoking causes and worsens acid reflux symptoms. It also slows digestion and increases acid production in the stomach while slowing down the production of saliva. It also weakens the muscles that keep your stomach closed tight. This is the reason why you should quit right away.
Don’t lie down after eating. Laying down can cause your digestive tract to have problems working effectively. Maintaining an upright position will help you reduce problems that come with acid reflux.
There are certain foods that can trigger acid reflux in our bodies. Fried foods, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, and even chocolate are common triggers for acid reflux. Other big contributors include acidic foods, including citrus fruits and tomatoes. The triggers are different with everyone, so make sure you identify your own. Try avoiding these things to feel better.
Choose exercise which keeps you standing upright. These types of exercise benefit your body by preventing reflux. First, being upright keeps acid down where it belongs. Secondly, it promotes weight loss which has also been shown to help with acid reflux. While moderate exercise is vital, avoid intense exercise since it can worsen reflux.
Chew on cinnamon gum after your meals. Saliva production is increased when you chew. Saliva aids the neutralization of stomach acid. Additionally, you will swallow more often while chewing gum, and this will remove any acid sitting in the esophagus. You can use gums that come in fruit flavors as well. Peppermint and spearmint gum should be avoided because they relax your esophageal sphincter.
Lose some weight. Excess weight in the abdominal region can increase the likelihood of acid reflux. Extra pressure on your stomach by stored fat makes it much likely to reflux. Just losing a little weight can have a big impact.
Steer clear of clothes that are too tight. Waistbands, belts and pantyhose that cut you in half are sure to cause stomach problems. There will be added pressure on the stomach if you wear tight clothes. Acid reflux signs and symptoms often result. Let your stomach breathe a little more by wearing comfortable clothing.
Exercising can really help to keep your acid reflux under control. Moderate is the key here. Vigorous exercises can cause acid reflux. However, low impact exercises, such as walking, can really help your symptoms. These exercises allow gravity to aid in your digestion. You will also lose weight by exercising, therefore reducing heartburn.
You don’t want to lay down after eating. Your digestive tract may not function as well in this position. By sitting upright, you can avoid experiencing any acid reflux symptoms.
Slippery elm lozenges are optimal to help with your acid reflux. Slippery elm bark creates a protective layer in your stomach, helping your digestive system. This lozenge can quiet a cough and soothe an upset throat. These can be purchased at many drug stores and at most health and natural food stores.
Try eating smaller meals, just have them more often. You may be at higher risk for acid reflux if you eat very large meals during the day. A full stomach puts added pressure on the esophagus sphincter, which then allows acid to enter your esophagus. The acid in your stomach enters the esophagus which causes heartburn. Instead, opt for small meals about five times a day.
Try to lose a few pounds each week. The more you have around your middle, the worse your acid reflux will be. Your esophagus fills with stomach acid as a result of the excess weight. This can end up causing an erosion of your esophageal lining. Eating healthy and exercising will not only help you lose weight, but reduce your acid reflux symptoms as well.
Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol if you have acid reflux. Alcohol consumption is a major cause of excessive production of stomach acids. If you insist on drinking alcohol, try to only drink one or two glasses and find a wine or alcohol that does not increase your acid reflux symptoms.
The pH of food doesn’t mean anything when it comes to whether it forms acid or not. Acidic foods like lemons become quite alkaline after they are digested. If you have acid reflux, this can be extremely confusing. Learn about what foods do once digested.
If you suffer with acid reflux, you need to identify, and avoid, your trigger foods. Examples of problematic foods include those that are fried, spicy, and high in fat. Liquid culprits include those that are caffeinated, carbonated or alcoholic. There are different triggers for each person, so find yours and avoid them.
Were you aware that the acidic or alkaline tendency related to food is in no way related to a food’s pH level? Foods that seem acidic, such as lemons, are really alkaline after digestion. This is confusing if you suffer from acid reflux. Learn the pH of foods if you have acid reflux.
While eating, minimize the amount of beverages you consume. The more you drink, the more pressure on your stomach. There is more pressure, and thus, acid reflux is more likely to occur. Only sip your water or other beverages during meals, and save the full glasses of water for other times.
For those who suffer from acid reflux, chewing cinnamon gum right after eating can help. Chewing causes saliva to be produced, neutralizing acid. Chewing some gum also causes most people to swallow with greater frequency. This pushes stomach acid down into the stomach, instead of allowing it to come up into your esophagus.
Eating less than three hours before bed should be avoided. Once you are in a resting state, your body is not able to digest food efficiently. You will wake up in the morning with heartburn if you eat a meal before bed.
Avoid drinking fluids during your meals. Your stomach is stressed while eating, and drinking at the same time will only increase that. It adds pressure to the middle and can trigger your acid reflux. Therefore, try to drink between meals, and if you must drink during your meal, only take very small sips.
Eating some of your favorite foods can be problematic if you have acid reflux. Add a small quantity of sugar to the tomato sauce you use for your dishes to limit the acid reflux. It will sweeten it some, but it can make it easier to consume.
Eat at least three hours before bed. This is important, as your stomach does not process food as well when you are sleeping versus when you are awake. Eating too close to bedtime can result in you experiencing acid reflux symptoms during the night.
Reduce or eliminate spicy dishes from your diet, particularly in the early evening. Spicy foods includes jalepenos, peppers and Mexican foods. Consuming spicy foods can not only spark acid reflux, but can dry out your skin and cause indigestion, adding to your level of discomfort.
Ingesting gluten can lead to acid reflux for many people. Eating less oats, wheat, and similar foods is optimal for preventing acid reflux. You may think you have to eliminate all grain from your diet, but this isn’t true. Some great grains that provide your body with necessary fiber and nutrition include millet and quinoa.
You don’t want to eat much right before you head to bed. Stop eating approximately three hours before retiring. If you go to bed on a full stomach, increased acid production may lead to the unpleasant effects of reflux.
Consult a physician about surgical possibilities if you feel that acid reflux is running rampant in your body. Fundoplication is a form of surgery that includes creating a valve that is useful for reducing the possible amount of acids that can make their way into your esophagus. It is a permanent fix that could solve your problem in its entirety.
You need to stop smoking if you’re a smoker. Smoking can contribute to acid reflux. Smoking slows down digestion and increases acid in your stomach. Smoking additionally works to lower production of saliva, further slowing digestion. If you must smoke, try to avoid smoking within 2 hours of meal time.
Don’t eat large meals just before bed in the evening. Wait three hours between your dinner and your bedtime. The acids produced for food processing can give you heartburn, especially when laying down.
Wear loose clothing if you want to minimize acid reflux symptoms. Tight clothes can really put unneeded pressure on the stomach area, which, in turn, worsens acid reflux. When things get bad, get read to get rid of them quick! To prevent problems with a large meal, put your loose clothing on before you eat.
What you drink and how much you drink needs to be monitored. Soda is something that you should avoid at all costs. Do not drink too much if you want to prevent acid reflux symptoms from occurring.
Be cautious of beverages you imbibe, as watch the quantity you drink. Have you ever eaten dinner to the tune of four sodas? Pay attention to how many beverages you consume with meals.
If you have chronic acid reflux, you need to limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol, including beer, wine and hard liquor, can weaken the esophagus, and this often leads to reflux discomfort. You don’t have to give up drinking entirely, just don’t overdo it.
Do not chew peppermint or spearmint gum after eating to reduce your chance of acid reflux. Your lower esophageal sphincter is relaxed by these flavors and this can cause heartburn. Fruit and cinnamon are actually better options. Saliva production increases, clearing the esophagus and alleviating reflux pain.
As you can tell by reading this article, you do not have to let acid reflux turn your life upside down. With some work, you can put acid reflux in your past. Use what you learned here and take your life back.
