If you have acid reflux, you already know how uncomfortable it can make you feel. That said, knowing about the disease can help with controlling it. Continue reading to find out how you can ease your pain.
Acid Reflux
The way you eat food can cause acid reflux. Many people eat lots of food very quickly. However, you should not do this because this will only worsen your acid reflux. Make sure you only eat until you are no longer hungry. Also, slow down your eating speed at the table. Chew each bite fully and put your fork down frequently.
Use a wedge-shaped cushion beneath your mattress to elevate your head. You can do a variety of things to help elevate the mattress. Electric beds are also an option here as well.
It pays to remain in an upright position for at least two hours following a meal. If you recline or lie down, the acid will go up into the esophagus since gravity isn’t moving it down. You should feel better, and reduce symptoms, by sitting or standing.
Heart Attack
The pain from acid reflux mimics the pain of a heart attack. Pay attention to chest pain. You may be experiencing a heart attack. Get in touch with your physician and follow his or her instructions. Even if it means an extra trip to urgent care, it is better than risking your life.
Trigger foods need to be avoided. You have to figure out which items affect you the most. Try to avoid coffee, milk, foods that are spicy or hot, tomatoes, beverages that are carbonated, alcohol, fatty fast food, and acidic fruit juices.
You don’t want to lay down after eating. When you recline, your digestion slows down. You will feel better and avoid acid reflux by staying upright.
Opt for physical activities that involve an upright position, such as walking. Such exercise helps with acid reflux for a number of reasons. When you are standing upright, it is easier for digestion to occur. Secondly, it promotes weight loss which has also been shown to help with acid reflux. While moderate exercise is beneficial for acid reflux sufferers, vigorous exercise can exacerbate your symptoms.
Maintain your ideal weight, or lose weight if needed. Extra weight, especially around the middle, can increase acid reflux symptoms. Excess belly fat puts added pressure on the stomach, increasing the chances of reflux. Losing a small amount of weight can offer a lot of relief.
When dealing with acid reflux, you need to make sure you watch out for trigger foods. Some specific foods have been linked to reflux, such as fatty and fried foods, alcohol, caffeine, mint or min-flavored items, citrus, tomatoes, spicy foods, garlic, onions, and carbonated drinks. However, everyone’s triggers are different. Some of these foods may not cause acid reflux for you, while others foods do. So, be aware of the foods that worsen your specific symptoms.
Are you aware that the tendency of food to form acid is unrelated to the pH level in food? Acidic foods like lemons are very alkaline after they are digested. This is a bit confusing if you have acid reflux. It’s a good idea to learn about pH levels in food if you have problems with acid reflux.
Relax to help ease your acid reflux symptoms. If you eat meals when you are feeling a great deal of stress, it can cause excessive stomach acids and heartburn. You should do something relaxing after eating. You should stay upright after eating vs laying down.
Surgery may be an option to help control your acid reflux, and you will need to speak with a doctor about it. Fundoplication is used to create a new valve, which limits the stomach acid that comes into contact with your esophagus. This can help you get rid of acid reflux forever.
If you are with child and you have developed acid reflux, find out what is causing it. You may discover that a small thing like drinking a beverage, even water, during the evening hours could be causing your symptoms. You can control your acid reflux when you know what is causing it.
Drinking a smoothie each day can really help keep acid reflux at bay. Blend romaine lettuce, spinach, lemon juice and water. Next, add a banana, pear, and apple, then blend together. Having some each morning can alleviate constipation, which can cause relaxed esophageal sphincter. This beverage is more alkaline based so it will help to soothe your stomach, instead of causing it discomfort.
Anyone that suffers from acid reflux can definitely describe the pain and irritation. That said, a bit of knowledge goes a long way towards healing and prevention. You and your loved ones can find relief by applying the information shared here.
