Acid reflux brings a lot of suffering along with it. Fortunately, there are many ways you can make dealing with acid reflux easier. This article can be thought of as a weapon to add to your arsenal in the battle with acid reflux.
Acid reflux symptoms are often worse when eating habits are poor. Many people like to eat at a fast pace and eat a lot of food. This is an improper way to eat and only serves to make things worse in the future. You want to stop eating when you’re full instead of when you’re stuffed. Additionally, you should eat more slowly. Enjoy your food by chewing slowly and putting your fork on the table after every few bites.
If your weight and BMI are considered normal, you are less vulnerable to GERD. The sphincter starts to relax more when fat pushes down on the stomach. By losing weight and trimming your midsection, your sphincter will tighten up as well, which will help to prevent acid reflux.
Many pregnant women experience acid reflux. The baby’s growth tends to crowd the contents of the stomach, forcing acid into the esophagus. You can control symptoms greatly by consuming only foods that are low in acid and low in fat. You can also try soothing teas which help to neutralize the acids in your stomach.
Slippery elm, an herbal supplement, is believed to thicken the stomach’s mucous lining and limit erosion from acid reflux. This supplement can serve as a layer of protection in your stomach. Mix one or two tablespoons with some water and drink this remedy before going to bed.
Exercising after you eat can harm you if you have acid reflux. Food in the stomach may be forced into the esophagus when the lower abdominal muscles are contracting during an exercise routine. Wait a couple of hours after you eat before doing any physical activity.
Don’t wear tight clothing. Belts, pantyhose, waistbands and other restrictive clothing put too much pressure on your stomach. Your stomach will be under needless pressure from these types of tight fitting clothing. This leads to acid reflux. Consider comfortable clothes that do not put pressure on your stomach.
Lose weight to help prevent and lessen the effects of acid reflux. Obesity often occurs with acid reflux. You can decrease the likelihood of acid reflux symptoms by reducing your body weight by a mere 10%. Weight loss ought to be achieved through small meals, not through crash diets.
You should drink between meals rather than during them. If you have a full stomach, your esophageal sphincter is compressed. When the sphincter is relaxed, stomach acid and food can be released back to the esophagus and cause damage.
When pregnant, the baby’s weight can actually cause acid reflux. Ask your doctor for ways to treat this. This is especially important for those near the end of pregnancy.
Make a plan to lose weight if you are above your ideal weight. A few extra pounds in your midsection could be responsible for acid reflux. It can lead to stomach acid backing up to the esophagus. This causes pain and damages the lining of the esophagus. Lose weight by following a healthy diet and practicing a healthy lifestyle.
Were you aware that the forming tendency of acid or the alkaline in a food doesn’t really have anything to do with a food’s pH level? Even a lemon becomes alkaline after being digested. This can be quite confusing. Learn the pH of foods if you have acid reflux.
Never diagnose yourself. Any symptoms you experience should be checked out by a doctor. Lots of other illnesses present in similar manners to acid reflux, including heart ailments and ulcers. Your doctor will be able to determine what is causing your acid reflux problem.
Eat at least three hours before bed. It is important to allow this time because sleep slows down the digestion process. Heartburn is often the result of eating directly before turning in for the night.
After you eat, avoid laying down for two hours or more if you suffer from acid reflux. The reason for this is that gravity is the easiest and most obvious way to combat acid reflux. Each person will need to wait different amounts of time prior to lying down, so you just need to determine what works for you.
If you have pregnancy related reflux, try to determine the root cause. You might be eating too many spicy foods or drinking too much water. You can control your acid reflux when you know what is causing it.
You don’t want to eat much right before you head to bed. It’s wise to eschew meals that last three hours of your day. This will ensure acid doesn’t cause you issues overnight.
Stop smoking now. Quitting smoking will help improve your health and acid reflux. Smoking slows down digestion and increases stomach acids. Smoking can also decrease saliva production and that will slow down digestion. If you smoke, try not to smoke at least a couple of hours after you eat to get the best results.
Reduce the effects of nighttime acid reflux by avoiding eating at least three hours before bedtime. Eating activates your digestive system. As a result, stomach acids are produced by your stomach in order to digest this food. Keep your acid reflux symptoms under control the natural way by not eating right before bed.
Reduce stress if you have acid reflux. While stress isn’t necessarily a cause of reflux, there is a possibility that your means of coping with stress could be to blame. For example, stress-related habits known to cause reflux include smoking, overeating and drinking alcohol. Adopting healthier means of coping with stress can make you less prone to reflux.
The symptoms of acid reflux are capable of causing discomfort and emotional distress in those who struggle with the condition. With some time spent studying the subject, it is definitely possible for anyone to make acid reflux pain a thing of the past. Apply what you’ve just learned, and improve your life.
