Is acid reflux making you miserable? If you don’t know the answer to this question, it may be because you don’t understand how acid reflux works. Acid reflux may make you feel like you have a lump in your throat, you may feel bloated or nauseous in addition to feeling pain and burning in your chest. Read this article if you would like to know how to get rid of your symptoms.
Drink before and not during meals. This is a great way to deal with hunger pains as you are more likely to be thirsty than hungry. Also, if you drink outside of eating times, you’ll find your stomach doesn’t get as distended when you eat and acid doesn’t pass back up into your esophagus.
Sometimes, pregnant women develop acid reflux during gestation. The developing baby can push acid back into the esophagus. Stick to foods that are low in fat and acid in order to keep the symptoms from popping up. If you still have trouble, you can try natural remedies that won’t harm your baby, such as eating fresh vegetables or drinking certain teas that will help to neutralize the acid.
Acid Reflux
When you notice reflux symptoms, think back to identify the foods you have eaten most recently. All acid reflux sufferers have specific foods that trigger their acid reflux. Identifying your own trigger can help you avoid those foods in the evening when reflux is more likely to be an issue.
Raise up your bed’s headboard. You can do this by using wood, bricks and raisers to lift the bed. The head of your bed should be six inches above the foot. By elevating your chest and head, you prevent stomach acid from traveling upward to your esophagus.
Lose weight to help prevent and lessen the effects of acid reflux. Some additional weight in your midsection could be responsible for your acid reflux problem. Lose some weight in your midsection to reduce the pressure on your stomach. Don’t crash diet to lose weight, instead start eating less and exercising more.
Eat small meals frequently. Large meals can increase the chance of acid reflux occurring. A very full stomach increases pressure on your esophageal sphincter, which causes it to relax. This allows stomach acid to creep into your esophagus, causing heartburn. This is why eating small meals is better for you.
A little bit of physical activity can go a long way. Make sure the exercise is moderate. Try not to exercise rigorously, as this can actually exacerbate your symptoms. These types of exercises ensure you provide the gravity you need for digestion. Moderate exercise also helps you lose weight and reduces heartburn.
People with acid reflux should always avoid foods that trigger attacks. Fried and fat filled foods, alcohol, citrus, and other foods can cause acid reflux. 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.
You need to relax. Eating meals while you are stressed can cause you to experience lots of heartburn and acid build-up Truly relaxing after a meal using deep breathing exercises or meditation can help cut down on acid reflux. Avoid laying down after eating and wait at least three hours before going to bed.
Perhaps you could have your last meal no less than three hours prior to bedtime. If bedtime is at 11 then make sure you aren’t eating anything after 8. Lying down whenever your stomach is full causes your LES muscle to open due to the added pressure. This is what causes an acid reflux attack.
After you eat, avoid laying down for two hours or more if you suffer from acid reflux. Gravity helps your digestive system do what it needs to do. The specific amount of time that is needed before being able to lie down depends on both the individual and the last actual meal.
If you’re pregnant and have acid reflux symptoms, find out the cause. It could be something as simple as drinking a glass of water to close to bedtime. You can control your acid reflux when you know what is causing it.
It’s crucial that you visit a doctor immediately when you have bloody vomit or stool. You may have a very serious problem that needs to be addressed. If your diagnosis is something other than acid reflux, you may be able to treat your problem quickly and efficiently.
Esophageal Sphincter
Don’t drink when you eat. Beverages add to amount of food in your stomach and can cause your stomach to distend. Full stomachs put pressure directly on your esophageal sphincter. The esophageal sphincter is what helps push your food down and away from the esophagus.
Choose your beverages very carefully. Have you ever had four sodas with dinner? This can cause extreme acid reflux; therefore, you need to be aware of the liquids that you are putting into your body.
Post-meal, try chewing gum. Chewing gum causes increased saliva production. This can neutralize the acid in your stomach and decrease reflux issues. Don’t chew mint gum as it relaxes your esophageal sphincter. Keep a package of gum in your pocket or purse in case symptoms arise when you are away from home.
After eating, avoid the urge to sit still or, worse yet, lie down. Acid reflux can result from undigested food that doesn’t move properly down through the digestive system. Keep an upright position and stay moving.
Smoking isn’t only bad for your lungs, but it can hurt your stomach, too. Smoking retards digestion and boosts stomach acid production. It also limits your saliva production. These are all causes of acid reflux. Your digestive system will suffer when you smoke.
Millions of people are affected by acid reflux. About a third of all people experience symptoms of acid reflux. If you are one these people, use the tips here to help you treat the symptoms and live a life without discomfort and heartburn.