Not many things are as painful as acid reflux. The discomfort and pain that acid reflux sometimes provide can make some feel like they are going insane. The fact that many others also suffer from it is probably of little comfort. You can help yourself, however, with the advice in this article.
A poor style of eating can make acid reflux worse. The speed that you eat and the amount will both contribute to acid reflux problems. This unhealthy approach to eating does your body no favors whatsoever. Instead of over-filling your stomach, eat until you are content. Also, slow down your eating speed at the table. Chew carefully and set down your fork between bites.
Drink between meals, not during them. This will help you manage hunger, as it is likely that you are more thirsty than you are hungry. If you stop drinking during meals, you will notice that your stomach doesn’t bulge and you experience no acid issues.
Elevating the head of your bed can work wonders to sooth nighttime acid reflux. Prop your mattress with a plank or some book to make sure your head is elevated. There are also beds that allow you to make this adjustment electronically.
When you have an acid reflux flareup, try to remember what you ate just prior to that. Reflux sufferers often have a trigger food that can really aggravate symptoms. When you figure out what yours are, you should avoid these foods in the evenings.
Always remain in an upright position while eating and in the two to three hours following each meal. Lying down allows acid to climb up your esophagus. As long as you sit up or stand up, you’ll find that your esophagus feels better.
Chew a stick of cinnamon gum after meals. As you chew the gum, you will begin to produce more saliva. Saliva is very useful to neutralize the acids produced in the stomach. In addition, people swallow more when they chew gum, which allows any acid that may be in the esophagus to be cleared away. You can also try fruity flavored gum. Minty gums should be avoided; they relax the esophagus’ sphincter, worsening acid reflux.
Heart Attack
Reflux may feel painful enough to trick you into thinking you are suffering from a heart attack. Never ignore serious chest pains. It could be a heart attack. Call your doctor immediately to find out what to do. Do not take any risks if you believe your health might be at risk.
Don’t wear tight clothes. Tight pantyhose, waistbands, and belts usually fall into this category. There will be added pressure on the stomach if you wear tight clothes. This can cause significant reflux concerns Try wearing clothes that are comfortable and allow your stomach to breathe.
Take your time while eating. Stop eating before you feel stuffed. Sit down and take your time chewing and tasting your food. Stuffing yourself and wolfing down your food will surely lead to acid reflux. One trick to slow everything down is to put your fork down after every bite.
Work on drinking only in between your meals if acid reflux is plaguing you. If the stomach is full, the sphincter of the lower esophagus will be under excessive pressure. If your stomach is too full, the acid will reach the esophagus and damage the lining of your digestive track.
Pregnant women sometimes experience acid reflux due to pregnancy pressure on the stomach. This is especially common during the last two trimesters, and is worth mentioning to your physician.
Acid Reflux
If you are an acid reflux sufferer, you should avoid drinking alcohol. Consumption of alcohol is a significant trigger for acid production. If you want to drink, avoid drinking excessive amounts and find an alcohol that doesn’t make acid reflux worse.
Are you aware that a food’s tendency to be acidic or alkaline actually has no bearing on its relative pH? While lemons are acidic, they become alkaline once digestion has occurred. This is confusing if you suffer from acid reflux. Check into food pH stats so that you can avoid foods that might trigger reflux.
Stay away from foods with high fat content if you struggle with acid reflux. No fried chicken, potato chips or french fries for you! Check out food labels so you can educate yourself on the amount of fat in certain foods.
Tomato-based foods such as spaghetti can frequently trigger your acid reflux. Add a small quantity of sugar to the tomato sauce you use for your dishes to limit the acid reflux. You will find that it won’t bother your symptoms as much and only adds a slight touch of sweetness to the sauce.
Speak with a physician about surgical options if you are having increasing difficulty. The most effective procedure for this condition is fundoplication, which involves creating a new valve that can reduce the amount of acid that gets into your esophagus. This surgery does have side effects and complications, so discuss it thoroughly with your doctor.
While eating, limit the amount you are drinking to avoid reflux. Drinking any liquid with your dinner will increase the volume of your stomach. This augments the pressure on the bottom esophagus sphincter, also increasing risk of acid reflux. Drink between meals rather than with your meal to reduce this risk.
Acid reflux discomfort is no small thing. Acid reflux not only causes you to feel uncomfortable, it can actually damage your esophagus. You now know what to do to put an end to it. Use the advice that you’ve read here so you can eliminate acid reflux.