Do you have any pains in your chest? Does it feel worse when you lie down? Do you feel it after a meal? Do your mouth have a yucky taste? Acid reflux could cause health issues such as a damaged esophagus if you do not take action. These are all symptoms of reflux, but there are options when it comes to relief.
GERD is more likely to occur when you are overweight. Your esophageal sphincter relaxes whenever excess body fat accumulates, especially on your midsection. Not only will you feel healthier as you lose weight, you will be less likely to suffer from acid reflux symptoms.
Sometimes, pregnant women develop acid reflux during gestation. A growing child puts pressure on the stomach, which can push the acids of the stomach into the windpipe. Avoiding high-acid, high-fat foods is a must. Alternatively, you can try some teas that soothe your esophagus and keep stomach acids down without harming your baby.
Stomach Lining
Slippery elm, when ingested as a supplement, can help thicken mucous in your stomach and reduce erosion of the stomach lining. This thickening process protects your stomach lining from all the acid it contains. Take a couple tablespoons with water both after eating and right before you go to bed in order to maximize your relief.
It is always a good idea to keep upright after eating a meal for at least a couple hours. A reclining position makes you more prone to reflux because it becomes easier for the stomach acid to travel upward in your esophagus. You will get relief in your esophagus if you sit or stand.
If you are dealing with acid reflex, you definitely do not want to exercise right after you eat. Food in the stomach may be forced into the esophagus when the lower abdominal muscles are contracting during an exercise routine. Wait a couple of hours after you eat before doing any physical activity.
Elevate the head portion of your bed. You can do this by putting a brick under the headboard. You can also prop your head up with pillows. The head of your bed should be elevated six to eight inches above the foot. You can prevent stomach acid from staying in your esophagus by elevating your chest and head.
Acid Reflux
Get in shape to reduce acid reflux. Obesity can put excess pressure on your stomach. You can decrease the likelihood of acid reflux symptoms by reducing your body weight by a mere 10%. Don’t crash diet to lose weight, instead start eating less and exercising more.
Some foods may trigger acid reflux in many people. Therefore, you need to moderate your consumption of them in order to relieve your symptoms. For example, you might steer clear of drinks like milk, coffee, acidic fruit juice and carbonated sodas. Hot, spicy and fatty foods are best avoided.
Avoid the harmful stress triggers in life that arise from personal problems, relationships, or job issues. Stress can produce more acid, which will come up through your stomach and cause acid reflux. Whatever the source of stress in your life, limit it or eliminate it.
Shed some pounds. Extra weight, particularly around the belly, boosts your chances of having problems with acid reflux. This fat puts pressure on your stomach, and increases your chances of refluxing. Losing even a couple of pounds can make things a lot better.
Impact Exercise
Exercise moderately to help get your acid reflux under control. Make sure you keep it simple and at a moderate level for best success. High impact exercise can make it worse, but low impact exercise can make it much better. Exercises like this keeps your body in an upright stance, which keeps the acids in your stomach down. Finally, exercise can help you shed some pounds. A healthy body weight is another great way to relieve your acid reflux.
Try not to drink too much alcohol if you suffer from acid reflux. Alcohol leads to additional acid production. If you want to drink, avoid drinking excessive amounts and find an alcohol that doesn’t make acid reflux worse.
After eating, wait two hours before reclining to prevent acid reflux. Gravity is your biggest ally when it comes to treating acid reflux. The window of time to consider is different with each person and also depends on what you eat.
If you have been suffering from acid reflux for a long time, your doctor may recommend surgery. Fundoplication is the best procedure, as it works to create an entirely new valve that is able to cut the acid in the esophagus. This can help you get rid of acid reflux forever.
One of the best ways to avoid the discomfort of acid reflux is to eat your meals slowly and pause every few bites to allow you stomach to digest properly. Give yourself time to really enjoy your meal. Try not to overeat at meals.
If you suffer from acid reflux and are pregnant, do your best to learn what caused it. A change in your diet could be the solution to your issue. Finding the cause can help you avoid it.
Reduce the spicy and hot foods that you eat during the day, especially when you get home from work. Examples include peppers, jalapenos, and other types of spices. Spicy foods will cause your stomach to produce more acid and can be hard to digest.
You aren’t experiencing a heart attack. You don’t have a cold, and it isn’t necessarily the food you are eating disagreeing with your stomach. You’re now sure it’s acid reflux and that it needs to be treated. Put in the time and energy to make the right changes and you will feel right as rain.
