Do you have acid reflux? Does someone you love have it? If you answered yes, then you are already aware of the pain it causes. The burning feeling inside is something that is extremely unpleasant. However, you can find some relief by using the advice contained within this article.
Acid Reflux
Your eating style can bring on acid reflux. Lots of people enjoy eating a large amount of food very quickly. However, you should not do this because this will only worsen your acid reflux. Don’t gorge until you feel as if you could pop. Instead, eat only until you feel somewhat full. Eat slower too. Chew your food carefully and between each bite, lay down your fork.
Stress serves to exacerbate acid reflux. When stress rears its head, acid production increases, causing reflux. Engage in pleasant pursuits following meals. Some examples include reading, listening to music, watching television, meditating or taking a little stroll.
Keep track of the foods you eat so you know what causes your acid reflux issues. People who have acid reflux can usually point to specific foods that cause problems. When you figure out what yours are, you should avoid these foods in the evenings.
Don’t exercise right after a meal. It could force food in the stomach to travel upwards, back to the esophagus. Allow one to two hours to pass before you partake in exercise activities.
Try to keep your weight down if you want to beat acid reflux. Obesity is a major cause of acid reflux. By losing as little as 10 percent of your body weight, you can lessen the effects that acid reflux has on your system. Don’t engage in fad diets. Instead, control your weight by eating small and sensible meals several times daily.
Avoid alcohol to rid yourself of acid reflux. Alcohol can cause your stomach to produce more acid, which in turn, causes the deterioration of your stomach’s lining, which can ultimately cause acid reflux. When going out, decrease the amount of alcohol you typically drink.
Do not lay down after you finish with a meal. The digestive tract can have trouble while you are laying down. Keeping yourself upright can help you keep the acid out of your esophagus.
When pregnant, the fetus can push on the stomach and cause acid reflux. This is especially common during the last two trimesters, and is worth mentioning to your physician.
Slippery Elm
Try a slippery elm lozenge. The active ingredient, slippery elm bark, protects the lining of your digestive tract. The lozenge form helps relieve any coughing that goes along with acid reflux and makes things worse. They can be found at most health food and natural remedy outlets.
Learning the pH levels of food can help you treat your acid reflux. High-acid foods, such as lemons, become high-alkaline foods following digestion. This can really confuse you for sure. Know about the pH levels of the foods you like.
If you suffer from acid reflux, avoid trigger foods. There are some foods that are known to trigger acid reflux. Some examples of these foods are spicy, fried or fatty, citrus fruits, caffeine, alcohol, mints or items that have mint flavoring, tomatoes, onions, garlic and carbonated beverages. The trigger foods are different for everyone, so you must identify yours.
Extra Weight
Shed your extra weight. Being overweight can really contribute to your acid reflux symptoms. This adds pressure to your stomach causing you heartburn and reflux symptoms. By losing that extra weight, you can enjoy a higher quality of life.
If you suffer from acid reflux then you understand how difficult it can be to eat foods such as pizza and spaghetti. Add a little sugar to the pot when you are preparing tomato sauces. This will eliminate some of the acidity. The sauce will be sweeter and more easily digested.
If you currently smoke, stop. Quitting smoking can help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Smoking promotes stomach acid and helps to slow down your digestive process. Also, saliva helps digest foods, and smoking slows that down. Try avoiding smoking for a couple hours after eating if you can’t quit.
Don’t drink when you eat. The more food and drink you have in your stomach, the worse your acid reflux will be. This increases the pressure in your gut. The purpose of this muscle is to keep your food in your stomach where it belongs.
Do not take a nap or lie down when you finish a meal. This can allow your food to collect in the center of your belly, making reflux back up into your esophagus more probable. Make sure that your digestive system can work properly by remaining upright and moving around.
Raw Honey
Eat more honey. While the jury is still out on the true benefits of honey, it has helped some to kick their acid reflux to the curb. Consumption of raw honey can lead to an improvement in your condition. Raw honey that is unpasteurized is always better than honey that has been pasteurized.
After reading this article, you can help avoid acid reflux flare-ups. In the past, all you could do was suffer through it. However, you are now in a position to put an end to this once and for all. If you take care to use the advice shared here, you will see a decrease in your acid reflux permanently.