The uncomfortable pain of acid reflux can be debilitating. It has a way of making your life miserable to the point of affecting your daily activities. But, there are many steps you can take to end acid reflux once and for all. Keep reading to find out more.
Acid Reflux
Your eating style can bring on acid reflux. People often eat much faster than they should, and in higher quantities than is necessary. This is not the right way to eat, and it is likely to cause acid reflux problems. Eat until your satisfied, not full. You need to learn to eat at a conservative pace. Lay the fork down between taking bites and slowly chew your food thoroughly.
The fattier the food, the worse it is for those with acid reflux. Fatty foods tell the esophageal sphincter to take a break, allowing acid to flow the wrong way. A diet too rich in fat will cause you to gain weight, which could put your stomach under a lot of pressure. Eat healthy and stay healthy!
To sleep well, think about propping your head with a mattress wedge. Other things you can try are books, blocks of wood or anything that can help angle your mattress up. If you can afford to, get an electronically controlled bed to keep your head elevated.
If you smoke, you should quit. Smoking worsens acid reflux and may actually cause it. Smoking slows down digestion and saliva production, both of which worsen reflux. It will weaken your esophagus’ sphincter too. That’s why you need to butt out today.
After eating, try chewing on some cinnamon gum. This will increase the production of saliva. Saliva is formulated to help balance the mix of acid in your stomach. Additionally, you will swallow more often while chewing gum, and this will remove any acid sitting in the esophagus. You could opt for fruit flavored gums. Do not, however, chew gum with mint in it. Mint can actually cause acid reflux, so you may just be making things worse.
Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight. Tight belts, pantyhose and waistbands are all of the usual suspects. These types of clothing put extra added pressure on the stomach area. This can cause significant reflux concerns Do not wear tight fitting or uncomfortable clothing across your stomach and chest area.
Avoid drinking alcohol if you don’t want acid reflux. Alcohol can cause your stomach to produce more acid, which in turn, causes the deterioration of your stomach’s lining, which can ultimately cause acid reflux. On a night out with your friends, limit the amount of alcohol you consume in order to feel well when you arrive at home.
Avoid reclining after eating. Your digestive system has issues and the acid moves when you decide to lie down after eating. When you are upright, gravity will assist in keeping acid down.
Always eat slowly. Stop eating before you feel stuffed. Sit and take the time to chew and taste the meal. If you consume your food quickly or you eat too much, acid reflux can be exacerbated. One trick to slow everything down is to put your fork down after every bite.
Moderate physical activity may assist with acid reflux. Moderation is key. Working out excessively can irritate the stomach and cause acids to rise into the esophagus. A better approach is lower impact exercises like moderate walking. Staying upright when you exercise lets gravity improve your digestion. Another benefit of moderate exercising is helping you lose weight, which can greatly reduce your amount of heartburn.
If you’re pregnant, your baby could be pressing into your stomach, giving you acid reflux. Your doctor can advise you on treatments available to keep it at bay.
Do not eat foods that have a very high fat content. Don’t eat foods that are fried or from fast-food restaurants. Read the nutrition labels on your food to see the amount of fat they have.
Were you aware that the acidic or alkaline tendency related to food is in no way related to a food’s pH level? While you may think citrus fruit is highly acidic, the truth is that some of it ends up rather alkaline once digested. This can be confusing when you have acid reflux. Know what the pH levels are of the food you eat.
Don’t self diagnose! If you are having symptoms associated with it, like cramps and regurgitation, you should go see the doctor. There are many other conditions, including ulcers and heart disorders, that have the same symptoms as acid reflux disease. Your doctor will be able to determine what is causing your acid reflux problem.
Acid reflux does not need to cause a disturbance in your life. With the knowledge you have gained, you put acid reflux behind you. Use what you learned here and take your life back.
