Acid relux can affect anyone. Over one third of all Americans have this condition. Because acid reflux impacts so many people, it is surprising to find out that the majority of sufferers haven’t a clue on how to reduce their symptoms. The article below has a list of proven methods to help you combat this condition.
Acid reflux symptoms are often worse when eating habits are poor. Lots of people enjoy eating a large amount of food very quickly. This isn’t the best approach for acid reflux sufferers. Eat until your satisfied, not full. You need to learn to eat at a conservative pace. Chew your food thoroughly and rest between bites.
Drink before and not during meals. Many people feel hungry, but they are actually just thirsty. Drinking liquids outside of mealtimes won’t bloat your stomach, so acid won’t be as easily transported back to your esophagus.
If you are a smoker, consider quitting. The presence of nicotine in your system will cause your stomach to produce more acid than needed. Don’t stress yourself by stopping smoking all at once as this could also exacerbate your problem. Try to quit slowly.
Flavored Gum
After you eat, try to chew some cinnamon gum. Chewing promotes saliva production. Saliva works to neutralize stomach acid. People tend to swallow more when chewing gum, so any acid that’s in the esophagus can be cleared away. You may find fruit flavored gum gives you the same effect. Mint flavored gum causes the esophageal sphincter to relax, adding to the problem.
Try raising your bed’s head. You can lift up the bed by using bricks, wood or raisers specifically made for raising a bed. The head of the bed should be approximately six inches higher. When your torso and head are elevated, it should stop stomach acid from rising during rest.
If you are an expectant mother, your unborn baby may be causing your reflux by applying pressure to your stomach. Ask your doctor for ways to treat this. This is especially important for those near the end of pregnancy.
Acid Reflux
The tendency of a particular food to form acid when digested has little correlation with the initial pH of that food. Even a lemon becomes alkaline after being digested. This is confusing if you suffer from acid reflux. If you have acid reflux, familiarize yourself with the pH of your food.
If you think you have acid reflux disease, ask your doctor for a second opinion. If you think you might have acid reflux disease, see a doctor and find out for sure. There are many health conditions that mimic acid reflux. To determine whether it’s reflux or not, your doctor can do some medical testing.
Cinnamon gum following a meal helps with acid reflux. Acid is neutralized in the stomach due to increased saliva production. This also will help you to swallow more often than normal. This will put your stomach acid back where it should be.
Do not eat within three hours of sleeping. If bedtime is at 11 then make sure you aren’t eating anything after 8. The reason is that lying prostrate with a full stomach tends to increase pressure on the LES muscle. Consequently, the acid reflux will emerge.
Drink fewer beverages when eating. Drinking provides added stress to the stomach. It places pressure on areas that can cause reflux. Just sip water lightly while eating, and be sure to drink a full glass of water between each meal.
Eat at least three hours before bed. This is important, as your stomach does not process food as well when you are sleeping versus when you are awake. Eating too close to bedtime can result in you experiencing acid reflux symptoms during the night.
If you suffer from acid reflux and are pregnant, do your best to learn what caused it. It could be eating late in the day or drinking too much water. Finding your triggers can help stop the symptoms.
See a doctor right away if there is blood in your feces or vomit. This is not simple acid reflux, and you must have it checked out. By determining the exact cause of your symptoms, you can find relief more quickly.
Millions of people around the world have acid reflux. If you’re one of them, don’t let it control your life. Take steps to fight it. Just follow the tips presented here to reduce or eliminate your acid reflux symptoms.