There is little room for debate about the difficulties and discomfort that acid reflux suffers face each and every day. There are many things you can do to ease your suffering. Don’t stop reading now, carry on and expand your knowledge base.
Get your fluid intake between your meals instead of while you are eating. Many people feel hungry, but they are actually just thirsty. Further, if you drink in between meals, you will likely see that the stomach will become far less distended at mealtime, and acids will not travel back into the esophagus.
To sleep better, try placing a wedge underneath the mattress to keep your head elevated and to help acid stay where it should. A book, piece of wood or something else that is similarly shaped will also do the trick. It is possible to find electronically adjustable beds also.
You have to quit smoking! Smoking makes acid reflux worse, and may actually be a trigger. It slows down the amount of saliva you produce, increases stomach acid, and slows down digestion. This causes weakness of the esophageal sphincter. Today is the day to put those butts out for good!
Acid Reflux
Spicy foods, like hot peppers, need to be avoided if you have acid reflux. These food items work to heighten the acids that build up inside the digestive system, causing your condition to be worsened. You can easily avoid acid reflux if you do not eat spicy foods.
Stress is a huge opponent of acid reflux. High stress leads to higher acid production. Find a relaxing activity to pass the time after every meal. You might meditate, read or simply watch some television.
Certain foods trigger acid reflux. Caffeine based foods, chocolate, and even fried foods are common culprits. Citrus fruits and other acidic produce are also possible causes. Triggers vary by person, so you should learn from your own experience as to what does and doesn’t cause you problems. Just avoid these completely to be extra safe.
When you have an acid reflux flareup, try to remember what you ate just prior to that. Trigger foods vary from person to person. You can still eat small quantities of the foods that trigger acid reflux but you need to be very careful.
Shed excess pounds to decrease the impact of acid reflux. Obesity can put excess pressure on your stomach. By shedding one-tenth of your total body weight, you may see significant reductions in the occurrence of reflux. Weight loss can be achieved through smaller portion sizes, not crash diets.
Some foods may trigger acid reflux in many people. Avoiding these ingredients or reducing consumption goes a long way toward avoiding reflux. Watch how much coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, milk and spicy foods that you consume.
Don’t lie down after eating. That’s because lying down after a meal can make digestion more difficult, resulting in acid reflux. If you stay upright, the problems resulting from acid reflux can be avoided.
Always eat each meal slowly. Try eating until you are still a little hungry. Eat while sitting down, slowly eat your food and savor it without focusing on anything else. Eating quickly or eating too much can make acid reflux worse. One way to really slow things down is by placing your fork on the table after each bite.
Try exercises that keep you upright, like walking. Such exercise helps with acid reflux for a number of reasons. Your digestive process will be improved if you remain upright. Also, walking helps you to reduce your weight, and that in turn relieves your reflux symptoms. Don’t work out too hard or you’ll find your reflux is exacerbated.
If you have acid reflux, you know how debilitating and disruptive it can be. Learning the appropriate treatments can help you stay away from acid reflux over the long term. Use the tips above to seek relief from acid reflux, whether it is you or a loved one who has it.
