The symptoms of acid reflux are extremely debilitating. Thankfully, there is lots of knowledge on how to combat acid reflux. The following piece is intended to be a useful guide for handling this condition.
Eat dinner a minimum of three hours before bedtime. Stomach acids stay in the stomach when you have your body upright. By lying down after eating, acid can rise to your esophagus, causing acid reflux. For this reason it is a good idea to wait at lease three hours before going to bed.
The manner in which you eat can aggravate acid reflux symptoms. Lots of folks eat fast and in great quantities. Eating this way is just going to worsen your symptoms. Don’t eat excessively. Stop when you are no longer hungry. Also, slow down your eating speed at the table. Chew each bite fully and put your fork down frequently.
Drink liquids between meals rather than during them. Doing so allows you to cope with pangs of hunger by sating your thirst. When you drink throughout the day, your stomach won’t get as upset when you do eat and acid won’t come back into the esophagus.
Stay away from spicy foods and do not use hot sauces or peppers when cooking. These kinds of food increase the amount of acid found in the digestive tract and make the situation worse. If you eliminate these foods from your diet, you should be able to reduce your symptoms.
Acid Reflux
Stress is a huge opponent of acid reflux. Excessive amounts of stomach acid is produced when you are stressed, which causes acid reflux. Try to do something relaxing after each meal. Meditate, do some yoga, go for a walk or read a book.
Keep track of the types of foods that seem to trigger acid reflux symptoms. There are certain trigger foods for anyone who has acid reflux. When you know which foods are hurting you, you can avoid them.
Chew cinnamon gum post-meal. Saliva within the mouth increases with chewing motions. Saliva is formulated to help balance the mix of acid in your stomach. You will also find that you swallow more, clearing acid from the esophagus. You can also use gums that are fruity. Peppermint and spearmint gum should be avoided because they relax your esophageal sphincter.
If you’re active and you notice reflux symptoms following strenuous activities, there might be an easy fix. Remember when you are exercising to drink plenty of water. Water keeps your body from becoming dehydrated, from the inside out. It also enables your system to digest food more efficiently. Water aids in food digestion and reduces stomach acid production, which will improve your acid reflux.
Eat small meals frequently. You are more likely to suffer from acid reflux when you have only one or two big meals each day. A stomach that’s too full can put extra pressure on that sphincter in between the esophagus and the stomach, which makes it open so it can relieve itself. The excess stomach acids will enter the esophagus, and the result will be heartburn. Consider eating smaller meals more often, over the course of the day.
If you’re pregnant, your baby could be pressing into your stomach, giving you acid reflux. This is especially common during the last two trimesters, and is worth mentioning to your physician.
Slippery Elm
Use slippery elm lozenges to treat your acid reflux. Slippery elm bark, the main ingredient in these natural lozenges, coats your digestive tract in a protective layer. It helps to lessen the discomfort of a sore throat and reduces coughing when taken in the lozenge form. These lozenges are found in many health food stores.
One easy way to combat the symptoms of acid reflux is by chewing gum, especially after meals. When gum is chewed, the salivary glands begin working overtime, and this neutralizes stomach acids. You will also swallow more saliva and keep the acid down. This will help keep your stomach acid where it should be.
Drink fewer beverages when eating. Drinking while eating just adds more stress to your stomach. It adds pressure to the middle and can trigger your acid reflux. Take small sips of water when you eat, and drink full glasses between meals.
Before you hit the sheets, make sure you don’t consume a big meal. Try avoiding foods around three hours prior to slumber. Your stomach acid will cause reflux when you try to sleep with a full stomach.
If you’ve heartburn at night, you should consider how you’ve been sleeping. Rather than sleeping on the right side, you should sleep on your left side. This will help the stomach acids stay where they should be.
Try to focus on the types of beverages that are causing acid reflux. Some examples of common acid reflux inducing beverages include coffee, tea, caffeinated soft drinks, carbonated beverages and alcohol. Choose water instead and avoid other problematic drinks.
You really have to really watch what types of beverages you consume and how much of them as well. Do you drink soda all day, or drink 12 cups of coffee each day? That may sound excessive, but some people overdo their favorite beverages. Sodas and coffee stimulate acid production in the stomach. Limit their intake.
Think about taking medications if acid reflux is an ongoing problem. There are a variety of over the counter remedies available, in addition to prescription medications. Your doctor can provide further guidance and may write you a prescription. Never take medicine that has been prescribed for someone else.
Sugary foods can cause the production of extra gastric acid, so do not eat them. You can eliminate this problem by consuming natural fruits and vegetables. You can produce good bacteria with a probiotic supplement, which balances your bowels.
Life isn’t the same after a diagnosis of acid reflux. However, when you have some helpful information, you can minimize the effects of this condition. Keep the above tips handy to take control of your condition for good.
