Acid Reflux: What To Do When It Strikes

Acid Reflux: What To Do When It Strikes

A fine meal is very satisfying; however, the pain of acid reflux can spoil that enjoyment. Read this article for tips on reducing your symptoms! Follow the tips presented here so that you can enjoy eating well! Plan your meal several hours before you go to bed. This can help you to process your food and digest it better. If you lie down, acid can move into the esophagus. Therefore, stay in an upright position for at least three hours. You should drink when your meal concludes and not while in the process of eating. This is a good way to manage hunger, since you stand a better chance of being thirsty than you do hungry. This also means your stomach will not experience the distention that comes with drinking during meals. Try to quit smoking if you are afflicted with acid reflux. Nicotine causes acid reflux to get worse. Don't stress your system by quitting abruptly, but rather cut down gradually. Slowly slack off. If you haven't already quit smoking, do so now. Smoking makes acid reflux worse, and may actually be a trigger. Smoking slows down digestion and increases stomach acid, along with reducing saliva production. It also weakens the muscles of the esophageal sphincter as well. Therefore, stop smoking immediately to help your condition. Stay upright for a couple hours after each meal. When you recline, you are more prone to acid reflux flareups. You will notice that the esophagus feels much better if you remain upright. The slippery elm supplement can aid your acid reflux symptoms by helping to thicken the mucuous membranes in your stomach. This makes sure you're protecting the stomach from the inside. The majority of people drink on or two tablespoons with water right after eating and before going to bed to maximize the relief of the remedy. Chew cinnamon flavored gum after you eat. Chewing gum helps to stimulate your saliva glands. This will neutralize stomach acids. Also, chewing gum causes people to swallow, which helps clear away acid from the esophagus. You may find fruit flavored gum gives you the same effect. Mint gums can exacerbate the problem. Elevate your bed's head. You can do this by putting a brick under the headboard. You can also prop your head up with pillows. Be sure your head is half a foot higher than the bottom of your bed. You'll be less likely to have acid enter your throat when you sleep at night if you have your head and torso elevated. Reflux can be quite painful, sometimes mimicking a heart attack. You should not ignore chest pains. This may be a heart attack. Call your doctor at once to determine the cause. Do not take chances when it comes to chest pain. The results can be life threatening.

Wear Tight

Elevating the top of your bed can help. You can do this by using wood, bricks and raisers to lift the bed. You want to work against gravity, so keep your head at least a half a foot higher than your feet. When your torso and head are elevated, it should stop stomach acid from rising during rest. Do not wear tight clothing. Pantyhose, waistbands, tight belts, and skinny jeans are common culprits. It is best to wear some comfortable clothes. Tight clothes could be responsible for acid reflux. Do not wear tight fitting or uncomfortable clothing across your stomach and chest area. For example, if your problem only occurs after vigorous exercise, the solution may be simple. Be sure to drink plenty of water. Water can help keep you hydrated. This can also help you with your food digestion. Using water to help digest food can decrease acid production in your stomach. Stay away from alcohol if you need to get rid 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. Do not drink too much while out with friends if you don't want a lot of discomfort later that night. To reduce your acid reflux symptoms, lose some weight. One common reason for acid reflux is being overweight. Losing just 10 percent of how much you weigh can reduce the occurrence of acid reflux. Adopt a healthy diet that includes reasonable quantities of many different foods instead of going on a crash diet. Engage in moderate exercise every day. It's important the exercise stay moderate. Vigorous exercise can irritate your digestive system and even cause reflux. However, exercises that are more low-impact or moderate can help relieve acid reflux. In addition, they ensure your body is upright, allowing gravity to work in your favor, helping digestion. Another benefit is exercising will help you shed your extra pounds, which can help reduce the effects of acid reflux. It is time to lose weight. Acid reflux is more likely to occur in people with extra body fat, particularly if it is stored in their abdomen. Acid will have a tendency to stay inside your stomach if you lose weight in your midsection. Even a few pounds lost can bring relief.

Slippery Elm

Acid reflux disease is not a condition that you should try to diagnose yourself. If you are having symptoms associated with it, like cramps and regurgitation, you should go see the doctor. There are other conditions, such as ulcers and heart disorders, that create symptoms that are similar to acid reflux. Tests are available to confirm acid reflux. Slippery elm lozenges can offer some relief. Made of slippery elm bark, these lozenges coat the digestive system with a protective substance. This lozenge can quiet a cough and soothe an upset throat. These lozenges can be found at most health foods stores. While eating, minimize the amount of beverages you consume. Drinking provides added stress to the stomach. It adds pressure to the middle and can trigger your acid reflux. Just take little sips of your drink when eating and have full glasses when you're not eating. If you know you're going to get heartburn later, it's really hard to sit down and enjoy a meal. Thankfully, you've learned what it takes to enjoy food once again. Enjoying good food is a basic pleasure in life, and you should be able to enjoy it. Shedding excess weight is almost always a good idea. Being overweight can worsen acid reflux symptoms. It puts too much pressure on your midsection and this can cause stomach problems. Shedding as little as 10 percent of your weight can ease your symptoms.