Acid reflux can happen to anyone and everyone. This condition affects over 33 percent of Americans. Given how prevalent it is, the lack of knowledge about beating it is alarming. The below article provides excellent advice on how to combat your acid reflux. Here’s what you need to know if you have acid reflux.
What You Need To Know If You Have Acid Reflux
The more fat there is in the food, the worse it becomes for anyone suffering with acid reflux. Foods that are fatty tell the sphincter in the esophagus to relax, letting acid flow the incorrect way. Fatty foods cause weight gain, which also adds to acid reflux problems. Learn to make good nutritional choices.
Stop smoking 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 causes the esophageal sphincter to relax as well. Therefore, quitting the cigarettes must be a priority.
A leading cause of acid reflux is stress. When you’re really stressed out, your stomach acid production increases, which causes reflux. Try to engage in relaxing activities following meals. Meditate, do some yoga, go for a walk or read a book.
When you notice reflux symptoms, think back to identify the foods you have eaten most recently. Trigger foods vary from person to person. Once you realize what tends to be your trigger, try your best to avoid your trigger foods especially in the evenings.
You should consider quitting smoking if you are a sufferer of acid reflux. Nicotine can cause acid reflux to worsen. You should quit at your own pace instead of quitting cold turkey and taking the risk of upsetting your stomach even more. Try to quit slowly.
Acid reflux can be so incredibly hurtful at times that it may cause you to think it could be a heart attack. Don’t ignore any major pains in your chest. It is possible that a heart attack is occurring or is close. Contact your doctor to learn what you should do. Do not take any risks if you believe your health might be at risk.
If you suffer from acid reflux, avoid laying down immediately after consuming a meal. It is harder to process food when your body is not upright. By staying in an upright position, you can avoid the problems associated with acid reflux and continue to feel healthy.
Moderate exercise which keeps you upright can help immensely. This type of exercise helps to reduce your acid reflux in several ways. First, staying upright helps your stomach digest food more easily. Additionally, the more excess weight you lose, the less likely acid reflux will bother you. While moderate exercise is beneficial for acid reflux sufferers, vigorous exercise can exacerbate your symptoms.
Moderate physical activity may assist with acid reflux. It’s important the exercise stay moderate. High impact exercise can make it worse, but low impact exercise can make it much better. In addition, moderate exercise keeps your body in an upright position, further aiding in digestion. Losing weight can also help with heartburn.
Slippery elm lozenge are a good natural remedy to try. The active ingredient, slippery elm bark, protects the lining of your digestive tract. It helps to lessen the discomfort of a sore throat and reduces coughing when taken in the lozenge form. Slippery elm lozenges can be purchased at many health food stores.
Avoid alcohol if you have acid reflux. Alcohol greatly exacerbates excess production of stomach acid. Reduce your consumption of alcohol and try finding an alcohol that will not cause your stomach to produce acid.
Speak with a doctor before you determine if you have acid reflux. Stomach discomfort and regurgitation are common symptoms of acid reflux that warrant a trip to the doctor. There are many other conditions, including ulcers and heart disorders, that have the same symptoms as acid reflux disease. Your doctor can run some tests to find out if it is indeed acid reflux.
Make sure you do not eat during the three hours prior to getting into bed. For instance, if you eat at 7 P.M., don’t go to sleep until 10 P.M. If you lay down with a full stomach, the sphincter between your stomach and oesophagus might not be able to contain the acid. This can cause an increase of acid reflux symptoms.
While eating, minimize the amount of beverages you consume. Your stomach is stressed while eating, and drinking at the same time will only increase that. It puts pressure in areas that can trigger acid reflux. Instead, sip water during your meals.
You must make exercise a part of your daily life. Exercise brings numerous benefits, including a lower incidence of reflux pain. Regular exercise helps ensure your stomach is operating like it should. Do not exercise too hard, as this can actually cause acid reflux.
Consider taking medication if you are suffering from chronic acid reflux. You can go to the doctor and get a prescription or find medication in your local drug store. Talk to your family doctor to find out what medicinal option would work best for you. Do not take a prescription from a friend or family member.
Chew fruit- or cinnamon-flavoured gum following a meal. Saliva is produced while chewing gum. The saliva can neutralize stomach acid that can cause reflux. Just make sure you do not consume mint-flavoured gum because it inflames acid reflux. Carry gum with you for eating on the run.
Tight clothing worsens acid reflux. Choose loose-fitting clothes which are comfortable instead. Wearing clothing that is tight around your stomach interferes with the digestive process, which causes acid reflux.
After eating, avoid the urge to sit still or, worse yet, lie down. Doing so will cause your food to lie heavily in your stomach, and it may cause it to move up into your oesophagus. Try moving and remaining upright to help digestion, instead.
Some acidic foods and drinks make your acid reflux worse. For example, beer, tomatoes, onions and coffee. Paying strict attention to the types of foods you put into your body will help you be more aware of only eating healthier food choices.
So many people suffer from acid reflux in America. Don’t give in to reflux, fight it instead. Reduce your discomfort by following this advice.