Regardless of your diet, acid reflux can bring unpleasantness to your life. If you suffer from this condition, you need to find an efficient way of treating it. Learning more about acid reflux will help you get rid of this issue and take control of your life.
Eat your last meal of the day many hours before you go to bed. When you are in an upright position, the food and stomach acid gets pulled down into your stomach. Laying down can cause the acid to rise again. Thus, stick to a plan that allows you three hours of digestion before bed.
You want to do most of your drinking between meals and not while you’re eating. Doing so allows you to cope with pangs of hunger by sating your thirst. Your stomach won’t become distended if you drink between meals.
You have a lower chance of getting GERD if you are of average weight. When extra pounds press down on your abdomen, it causes your esophageal sphincter to relax. By losing weight and trimming your midsection, your sphincter will tighten up as well, which will help to prevent acid reflux.
Fatty food should be avoided. The chemicals released from breaking down all that fat will cause your esophageal sphincter to relax. Also, they cause weight gain; thus, the reason people who are overweight suffer from acid reflux. Be healthy by eating healthy foods.
Acid Reflux
Stop smoking! Smoking worsens acid reflux disease. This will result in more stomach acid and frequent occurrences of acid reflux. It causes the esophageal sphincter to weaken. That’s why you need to butt out today.
Pregnancy can cause acid reflux in women. The baby grows and pushes on the stomach. You can keep your symptoms under control by sticking with low-fat and low-acid foods. Also, consume teas that can have a healing effect on your esophagus.
Avoid consuming spicy foods like peppers and hot sauces. These types of foods worsen your acid reflux because they build up acid in the digestive tract. Avoiding these foods altogether can help you to feel better.
Don’t exercise vigorously after eating as this could cause terrible acid reflux problems. Food that is in your stomach can be forced up into your esophagus when your lower abdominal muscles contract while exercising. Wait at least two hours before working out.
Do not wear clothes that are too tight. Pantyhose, waistbands, tight belts, and skinny jeans are common culprits. It is best to wear some comfortable clothes. This can lead to heartburn and reflux symptoms. Try wearing clothes that are comfortable and allow your stomach to breathe.
Get in shape. Extra weight can greatly increase the frequency of acid reflux attacks. More fat near your stomach adds to the pressure on it, contributing to your condition. Sometimes, losing even a few pounds will make a big difference.
Moderate exercise often helps alleviate acid reflux. The key to this is moderate. Try not to exercise rigorously, as this can actually exacerbate your symptoms. Exercises like this keep you upright, allowing gravity to aid in digestion. Besides, being more active will help you get in shape and reduce the pressure on your stomach.
People with acid reflux should always avoid foods that trigger attacks. Certain foods are known to make acid reflux worse. A partial list is alcohol, mint, garlic, caffeine, tomatoes, and pepperoni. Not everyone has the same triggers; therefore, if any of these mentioned foods do not bother you, it’s okay to eat them in moderation.
You need to learn how pH levels in foods affect your acid reflux. Foods that are acidic such as lemons are really highly alkaline when digestion occurs. This can be quite confusing. If you have acid reflux, learn about food’s pH levels.
Make sure you do not eat during the three hours prior to getting into bed. In other words, do not eat any later than 6:00 PM if you typically go to sleep at 9:00 PM each night. Why you may ask? Because when you lie down completely with a stomach filled with food, it places pressure on the LES muscle. This in turn is what can cause the acid reflux to begin.
You may understand how frustrating it is to not eat comfort foods that contain acidic tomatoes, such as pizza or your favorite pasta sauce. When cooking with tomato sauces, adding some sugar can cut their acidity. This may make the sauce a little sweet, but it will be easier to eat.
Acid reflux is common among pregnant women but you should try identifying what could be making it worse. Even something weird like drinking water at night could contribute to the problem. When you know what’s causing the problem, you can control it.
Try not to drink very much during meals. The more food and drink you have in your stomach, the worse your acid reflux will be. A full stomach adds pressure to the lower esophageal sphincter. Do not put too much stress on this muscle if you want to prevent acid reflux.
A bad case of acid reflux can keep you from doing the activities you enjoy. Take a stand against acid reflux and put an end to your suffering. Use these tips to prevent acid reflux so you can enjoy the next meal you eat. You’ll enjoy more when you learn that you don’t have to suffer anymore.