People with acid reflux experience feelings of extreme pain. Fortunately, there are lots of actions that can be taken to make life with acid reflux much more tolerable. The included article will act as a guide on how to survive with this condition.
Your last meal of the day should be consumed a minimum of three hours prior to going to bed. When you remain upright, your food and stomach acids stay put in the stomach. If you lie down, the acid may migrate up your esophagus. So you should remain active and upright for a couple of hours before you hit the sack at night.
If your weight and BMI are considered normal, you are less vulnerable to GERD. If you are overweight, your sphincter will allow acid into your esophagus. When you shed those extra pounds you will see that this opening tightens up and doesn’t let the acid creep into your stomach.
Fatty foods are a serious no-no for reflux sufferers. Foods high in fat relaxes the esophageal sphincter which in turn contributes to the acid flowing in the wrong direction. They can also cause weight gain, and acid reflux is more prevalent in overweight people. When you eat right and stay healthy, you can control acid reflux.
Stress can be a major factor of acid reflux. Stress increases the amount of stomach acid and makes acid reflux more likely. When you finish a meal, exercise. Yoga or meditation are excellent ways to reduce stress; however, you can do simpler things, such as watching your favorite television shows or reading a good book.
Elevate the head portion of your bed. Raise your bed up for your top half using items like heavy books or bed risers. You want to work against gravity, so keep your head at least a half a foot higher than your feet. If you elevate your head and chest, you could stop the rise of stomach acid while you sleep.
You should avoid drinking alcohol if you suffer from acid reflux. Alcohol is one cause of acid building up in the stomach, and it can also eat away at the stomach’s lining. Do not drink too much while out with friends if you don’t want a lot of discomfort later that night.
Try eating slowly. Do not eat more than what makes you full. Sit down while you eat and take time to actually enjoy your meal. If you eat too fast or too much it can cause those dreaded acid reflux symptoms to flare up. Putting your silverware down between bites can really help you to eat slower.
Lose some weight. Extra weight can greatly increase the frequency of acid reflux attacks. Extra fat that’s around the belly area can put pressure on your stomach and cause reflux. Do some exercise to lose a few pounds and you will see a difference.
Drink water between meals and drink sparingly during meals. You are putting pressure on the esophagus sphincter if your stomach if stuffed with liquid and food. As a result, stomach acid can rise into your esophagus, damaging the lining and causing acid reflux.
Are you aware that a food’s alkaline is not related to its relative pH level? Foods that seem acidic, such as lemons, are really alkaline after digestion. If you are struggling with acid reflux, this may be confusing to you. Learning about the pH of different foods can make it easier to avoid reflux symptoms.
Stay calm. Eating while stressed can increase the amount of acid in your stomach. After eating, practice a little meditation, deep breathing and light relaxation exercise. Avoid lying down right after eating.
Staying active can help fight acid reflux. Low-impact exercises, such as walking or swimming, are excellent choices when dealing with acid reflux. Keeping your body upright helps put gravity on your side when it comes to digestion.
Cinnamon gum chewed after you eat can be a huge relief. Acid is neutralized in the stomach due to increased saliva production. In addition, chewing gum makes people swallow more. The acid will then settle back down toward your stomach.
To avoid acid reflux, you should eat slowly and take a break every couple bites to help your stomach digest properly. Give yourself time to really enjoy your meal. Stop eating when you are satisfied rather than when you feel stuffed.
One way to cut down on reflux is to avoid drinking while eating. Consuming liquid fills your stomach to capacity. Any increase in pressure will result in inflammation. Instead, consume water at other times of the day.
Avoid eating spicy foods in the evening if you suffer from acid reflux. This would include things like peppers, jalapenos and Mexican fare. Spicy foods are a trigger for acid reflux and they cause indigestion too.
Caffeine and carbonation are not your friends if you suffer from reflux. Colas, coffees and teas increase your stomach acid. They irritate the stomach lining and increase discomfort. Green teas and other herbal teas are great.
Pinpoint the foods that cause you the most pain. There are lists of certain trigger foods for acid reflux, but each person is truly different. Your triggers may be tolerable to others and vice-versa.
Avoid laying down or sitting motionless after a meal. You can speed up the digestion process by being active, for instance by going for a walk. Try moving and remaining upright to help digestion, instead.
Some foods can greatly contribute to acid reflux. Avoid drinking too much alcohol, and keep things like coffee, garlic, onions, tomatoes and spicy foods to a minimum. This can help you to live a pain free life, free of acid reflux symptoms.
You need to exercise regularly if you have acid reflux. Exercising will help you stay in shape and facilitate your digestion. As a result, your body is less vulnerable to the triggering effect of some foods. You can help control your acid reflux in a natural way by eating a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly.
Acid reflux can turn your life upside down. However, if you take the time to learn some knowledge on the matter, you can dramatically improve your symptoms. Use what you learned here, and take control of your condition.
