Acid reflux is a very painful condition. The pain and burning can be quite disheartening. When this condition is your own, you should know many others are in the same boat. There is no reason for you to put up with it either, as the piece that follows will illustrate.
Your last meal of the day should be consumed a minimum of three hours prior to going to bed. Staying upright can help the food get pulled into your stomach. If you lie down, acid can move into the esophagus. Consequently, you should wait at least two or three hours before bedtime.
The way you eat food can cause acid reflux. Many people often eat fast and ingest large quantities of food. This is an improper way to eat and only serves to make things worse in the future. Eat to the point of being full instead of over-satiated. You need to eat slowly at the dinner table. Take the time to enjoy your food and stop when you are full.
Drink before and not during meals. The way to address your hunger is to eat, not to drink. On top of that, drinking with food bloats your stomach, so drinking away from food is best.
You reduce your chances of experiencing GERD if you maintain a normal weight. Those extra pounds put pressure on the stomach and cause the bottom of your esophagus to relax and allow reflux. Losing weight and getting trim can help keep your stomach acid in your stomach, where it belongs.
Acid Reflux
If you have acid reflux, fatty foods are your enemy. This is because high-fat foods relax the esophageal sphincter, which results in acid flowing the wrong direction. Not only will it give you acid reflux, it will contribute to weight gain which makes the problem even worse. You need to make sure you eat healthier to stay healthy.
If you smoke, you should quit. Smoking can both cause acid reflux and make existing reflux worse. Smoking slows down digestion and increases stomach acid, along with reducing saliva production. It will weaken your esophagus’ sphincter too. It is extremely important that you quit today.
Some foods tend to trigger the effects of acid reflux. Things such as fried items, caffeinated drinks, alcohol and chocolate are common things known to cause reflux. Acidic items like citrus fruit and tomatoes also exacerbate acid reflux. Having said this, acid reflux triggers are different for every person; therefore, you must learn which foods cause acid reflux and which ones don’t. Just avoid all these foods to be safe.
Stay away from clothing that is too restricting. Pantyhose, waistbands and tight belts are usual suspects. These kinds of garments put pressure on your digestive area that you don’t need or want. This can cause acid reflux. Try wearing comfortable clothes that let the stomach breathe.
If you work out on a regular basis, and find that you have acid reflux, it is possible to help your condition. Increase your water consumption. Water keeps your body from becoming dehydrated, from the inside out. Additionally, it helps you digest your food. Help your food digest by drinking water. It will decrease the production of acid.
Avoiding acid reflux often means avoiding stress. Your stomach acid levels will rise when you are feeling the effects of stress. Whatever the source of stress in your life, limit it or eliminate it.
The pH of food doesn’t mean anything when it comes to whether it forms acid or not. Lemons and other foods with acid contain a lot of alkaline once they have been digested. This can cause issues if you are dealing with acid reflux. Check into food pH stats so that you can avoid foods that might trigger reflux.
What are your trigger foods? Citrus, onions, tomatoes, mint, alcohol and carbonated drinks are some of the many culprits. Not everyone has the same triggers; therefore, if any of these mentioned foods do not bother you, it’s okay to eat them in moderation.
Were you aware that the acid content of food is not related to the pH? Lemons and other similar foods have a very acid taste, but they mostly turn alkaline after being digested. You might be confused by this if you have acid reflux. If you want to manage your acid reflux effectively, learn your food’s pH.
You should not self-diagnose with the acid reflux. If you are having symptoms associated with it, like cramps and regurgitation, you should go see the doctor. It might be other afflictions like an ulcer, or even a heart problem. Your doctor may wish to run a battery of tests to make a firm diagnosis.
While eating, it is best to limit consumption of liquids. Anything your drink during a meal can add to stomach stress. This excess stress and pressure make reflux happen. It is safe to have small sips of water while you are eating.
Many people find that gluten triggers reflux. Anyone who deals with acid reflux ought to consider cutting barley, wheat and oat intake. To satisfy your body’s need for grains, try millet and quinoa instead.
Tomato-based foods such as spaghetti can frequently trigger your acid reflux. Therefore, if you are preparing foods with tomato sauces, you can reduce their acidity by adding some sugar. The sauce will be a tad sweeter, but you will be able to eat it without pain.
If pregnancy is the cause of your reflux, you may need to find what your triggers are. Sometimes it can be as simple as avoiding drinking anything after 7. Locating the cause can help you eliminate the problem.
Acid reflux is a serious issue. Though you may feel bad when it happens to you, the effects are even worse in the long run if you leave it alone. You now have the necessary tools you need. By applying these tips, you can successfully eliminate or reduce acid reflux symptoms.