Stop! Take Control Of Your Acid Reflux With These Tips

Stop! Take Control Of Your Acid Reflux With These Tips

Acid reflux can leave you in misery when it is not treated properly. If you suffer from this condition, you need to find an efficient way of treating it. Once you know how to combat it, you can get on with your life. Eat your last meal three hours ahead of bedtime. You need to stay upright for at least two hours to allow your food to properly digest. Laying down can cause both to rise again. This is why it's best to stop eating several hours before bedtime. Drink before and not during meals. The way to address your hunger is to eat, not to drink. When you drink with your meals it can cause your stomach to feel fuller, causing more acid to reach your esophagus. If you smoke, it's time to quit. Smoking worsens acid reflux and may actually cause it. Tobacco slows down your digestion and increases your stomach acids. Finally, your esophageal sphincter is weakened. So stop smoking now. If you stay at a weight that is healthy you will be unlikely to suffer from GERD. When you're carrying too much fat, the opening located in the lower part of the esophagus will relax. Losing weight can cure it for good. To help alleviate acid reflux symptoms, try eating less spicy food. These foods only escalate the buildup of acid in the digestive tract and can worsen your condition. Eliminating these foods from your diet can bring you much relief. To thicken the mucuous lining of the stomach, try slippery elm. This supplement can serve as a layer of protection in your stomach. Take a couple tablespoons with water both after eating and right before you go to bed in order to maximize your relief. You should consider quitting smoking if you are a sufferer of acid reflux. Nicotine helps increase stomach acid production, which makes your acid reflux worse. Quitting cold turkey can cause stress and worsen your symptoms. Attempt to quit gradually.

Acid Reflux

After meals, chew on a piece of cinnamon gum. Whenever you chew gum, your saliva production increases. Saliva works to neutralize stomach acid. Since you swallow more when you chew gum, this will also wash down any acid remaining in your throat. You could opt for fruit flavored gums. Peppermint and spearmint gum should be avoided because they relax your esophageal sphincter. Watch the types of foods you eat before a reflux episode. People that suffer from acid reflux must identify their trigger foods. Once you find what foods trigger your acid reflux, you will be able to eliminate them from your diet. Sometimes reflux symptoms are so painful you may feel like you are experiencing a heart attack. Don't ever ignore chest pains. You may be experiencing a heart attack. Seek medical advice as soon as possible. A misdiagnosis could lead to serious issues. Raise the head of your bed. Use a wedge or a plank to raise the head of your bed. You want the head to be six inches higher than the foot of the bed. This will naturally keep the acids and foods in your stomach when you sleep through the night. Elevate your head above the bed. This can be done by using bricks, blocks of wood or by getting those raisers that are built for lifting up a bed. Ideally, the head of your bed should be a half a foot higher than the foot. You can prevent stomach acid from staying in your esophagus by elevating your chest and head. If you are active, you may notice your acid reflux flares up after strenuous activities. Increase your water consumption. This will help you stay hydrated. In addition, it aids in food digestion. Using water to assist in digestion will reduce stomach acids. Avoid really restricting clothes. Things like pantyhose, belts and waistbands should not be too tight. It is best to wear some comfortable clothes. It may actually cause reflux to occur. Do not wear tight fitting or uncomfortable clothing across your stomach and chest area.

Acid Reflux

Avoid laying down after a meal if you have acid reflux. The digestive tract can have trouble while you are laying down. It's possible to reduce your acid reflux symptoms by remaining upright after your meal, and of course, eating healthy at all times. 24 hours a day, acid reflux affects your life. You do not have to put up with this; you can improve your health and move on with your life. Apply what you've just learned here and limit your risks from acid reflux disease. You will soon be enjoying life once again. The baby's weight during pregnancy can cause acid reflux. Your doctor can advise you on treatments available to keep it at bay.