Acid reflux can keep you from enjoying yourself and even working. Read on to learn more about the symptoms and causes of acid reflux, as well as what you can do to prevent it and lessen its affect on your life. When you understand it, you can make it a thing of the past.
Try drinking in between meals instead of during them. Doing this also combats feelings of hunger, since you’re probably thirsty rather than hungry. If you stop drinking during meals, you will notice that your stomach doesn’t bulge and you experience no acid issues.
When you’re at your optimal weight there is a less of a chance that you will get GERD. The weight of excess fat can press on your stomach, causing the esophageal sphincter to relax. You will need your sphincter to become tight if you want to prevent the acid from coming up; losing weight will help.
Acid Reflux
If you have acid reflux, fatty foods are your enemy. Foods that are fatty tell the sphincter in the esophagus to relax, letting acid flow the incorrect way. They also contribute to putting on those pounds, which can worsen your acid reflux. Live a healthy lifestyle and eat right!
Do not lay down for at least two hours following a meal. If you don’t, acid is more likely to rise up toward the esophagus. This will help you feel comfortable when you stand.
Raise the top part of your bed. Use a wedge or a plank to raise the head of your bed. The head of the bed should be approximately six inches higher. By keeping your upper body elevated, you can prevent stomach acid from rising while sleeping.
Weight loss can help to lessen or prevent acid reflux. Obesity is a main cause of acid reflux. Losing even one-tenth of body weight can reduce acid reflux. Don’t be silly with excessive dieting schemes, instead reduce the size of your meal portions.
Take the time to eat slowly. You should eat slowly and stop when you are full. Instead, take the time to chew and enjoy your food as well. When you eat too fast or continue eating when you feel stuffed, your symptoms will become worse. You can slow everything down by laying down your fork after each bite.
If you suffer from acid reflux, avoid trigger foods. Some foods have been shown to be linked to acid reflux. These include fried and fatty foods, mint flavored items, tomatoes, spicy foods, carbonated drinks, onions, garlic, caffeine, and citrus. Of course, different people have different trigger foods, so if these do not cause problems, you can certainly still have them.
Never diagnose yourself. If you believe you may have this condition due to symptoms, such as stomach discomfort and regurgitation, then you should talk to your doctor. There are numerous other diseases that have the same or similar symptoms. Your physician can run tests to see if you do have acid reflux.
Gluten prompts acid reflux, so it is considered a trigger food for a lot of people. You should watch your consumption of barley, wheat and any oats. But, your body does need fiber, so millet and quinoa are good alternatives that do not cause acid reflux.
After you eat, try your best to stay upright. Gravity helps your digestive system do what it needs to do. The time it takes until you should lie down varies by the person and it will also depend on what items were consumed.
Speak with a physician about surgical options if you are having increasing difficulty. Fundoplication is the best procedure, as it works to create an entirely new valve that is able to cut the acid in the esophagus. This procedure is permanent and can even get rid of reflux completely.
It can be hard to eat, live, or sleep with acid reflux. There is no need to suffer from this condition. If you want to make sure your acid reflux is kept under control, then take the advice that is contained within this article and put it to good use. As a result, you can enjoy your meals even more because you won’t be suffering through pain.