Top Acid Reflux Tips That Can Help!

Top Acid Reflux Tips That Can Help!

Do you or a loved one have problems with acid reflux? If so, you probably know how painful it can be. Acid reflux is not fun. Thankfully, you can reduce your acid reflux symptoms by utilizing the excellent advice provided in the below article. If you're suffering from acid reflux while sleeping, try putting a wedge below your mattress. It raises up your head, keeping symptoms from increasing. You can do a variety of things to help elevate the mattress. There are also beds that allow you to make this adjustment electronically. Do not eat dinner within the three hours prior to going to sleep. The acid and foods you've eaten stay in your stomach when you are awake and upright. By lying down after eating, acid can rise to your esophagus, causing acid reflux. Therefore, to reduce or alleviate acid reflux, be sure to refrain from eating just before sleeping. Stop eating spicy foods if you want to prevent acid reflux. These products build acid in your digestive system, leading to pain. Avoiding these foods altogether can help you to feel better. Acid reflux symptoms are often worse when eating habits are poor. Most people eat too much, too quickly. This is a very poor way to eat. Instead of over-filling your stomach, eat until you are content. Eat slower too. Enjoy your food by chewing carefully, setting your fork down in between each bite. Some foods are more prone to causing acid reflux than others. Caffeine based foods, chocolate, and even fried foods are common culprits. Certain acidic foods are really bad for you as far as acid reflux is concerned. Triggers are different for everyone, and therefore you may require trial and error before knowing what causes your pain. Avoidance of all of this list would be your best bet. GERD is more likely to occur when you are overweight. The sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus becomes relaxed when the weight of extra fat presses down on your stomach. Losing weight and getting trim can help keep your stomach acid in your stomach, where it belongs. Consider giving up smoking if you suffer from acid reflux. Acid reflux is made worse by nicotine because it stimulates stomach acid production. However, stopping smoking cold turkey can actually worsen your acid reflux as well. Instead, quitting should be a gradual effort. If you haven't already quit smoking, do so now. Smoking causes and worsens acid reflux symptoms. It slows digestion, increases stomach acid, and slows down your saliva production. It also weakens the muscles of the esophageal sphincter as well. Therefore, you need to quit your smoking habit immediately. It's important to remain upright when you are eating as well as up to three hours afterwards. Lying down allows stomach acids and the contents of your stomach to move easily into your esophagus. You will feel relief from the symptoms of acid reflux by standing up or sitting in an upright position.

Acid Reflux

Chew some cinnamon gum after each meal. Whenever you chew gum, your saliva production increases. Saliva helps neutralize the acids in the stomach. Also, when chewing gum, more swallowing occurs, making acid go back down from the stomach to the esophagus. Fruity gums can also work. Since mint induces the esophageal sphincter to relax, avoid mint-flavored gums. Smoking can cause serious problems if you suffer from reflux. Nicotine helps increase stomach acid production, which makes your acid reflux worse. However, stopping smoking cold turkey can actually worsen your acid reflux as well. Quit slowly instead. Elevate your bed's head. Raise your bed up for your top half using items like heavy books or bed risers. The head of the bed should be six inches more elevated than the bottom of the bed. When you have your chest and head elevated, stomach acid is less likely to come up when sleeping. Working out right after a meal will not help your acid reflux; in fact, it will make it worse. If you contract your abs during your workout, stomach acid could be forced in your esophagus and cause pain. Allow one to two hours to pass before you partake in exercise activities. Alcoholic beverages can make acid reflux worse. Alcohol causes overproduction of stomach acid, which leads to the deterioration of your stomach lining as well as acid reflux. If you're socializing with friends, limit alcohol consumption to remain feeling good. Chew a stick of gum, preferrably cinnamon, after your meal. As you chew the gum, you will begin to produce more saliva. This will help neutralize acids in your stomach. People tend to swallow more when chewing gum, so any acid that's in the esophagus can be cleared away. You could opt for fruit flavored gums. Minty gums should be avoided; they relax the esophagus' sphincter, worsening acid reflux. Try moderate exercise that keeps you upright, such as walking. This type of exercise helps with acid reflux for many reasons. An upright posture is a huge help in digestion and keeps your stomach contents where they belong. Also, it can facilitate weight loss, which also improves acid reflux symptoms. Light to moderate exercise helps acid reflux. Extreme exercise can make it worse. Alcohol is another no-no. Consuming alcohol can end up making your acid reflux symptoms much worse. Therefore, when going out, use moderation when drinking alcohol. When you suffer from acid reflux it is always best to eat smaller meals throughout the day. If you often find yourself eating just one or two large meals per day, this can actually increase your risk of acid reflux. A very full stomach increases pressure on your esophageal sphincter, which causes it to relax. When this occurs, acid from your stomach travels to the esophagus, creating heartburn. Instead, opt for small meals about five times a day. Some foods may trigger acid reflux in many people. You should stay away from them if you want to minimize your symptoms. Try avoiding spicy foods, tomatoes, carbonated beverages, alcohol, caffeine, milk, acidic fruits juices, and greasy fast food. Slippery elm lozenges are optimal to help with your acid reflux. They coat your digestive system to protect it from acid. This treatment will also soothe your irritated throat and make your coughing disappear if you often cough when experiencing acid reflux. These can be purchased at many drug stores and at most health and natural food stores.

Extra Weight

Since fatty foods are a major cause of acid reflux, try to eat low-fat foods when possible. You should try to reduce the quantity of fried foods and fatty meats that you consume. Get in the habit of checking all food labels to see the nutrition content and the amount of fat it contains. Take off the extra weight. Extra weight, especially around you waist, may add to the frequency of acid reflux. Having extra fat can put too much pressure on your mid-section and increase the odds of experiencing reflux. Dropping a couple of pounds can help. Gluten can frequently trigger acid reflux. Wheat and barley should only be consumed at a minimum. Instead, choose kamut, millet or quinoa. If you or a loved one suffer from acid reflux, you are now prepared to alleviate it. In past times, you had to put up with the symptoms and pain. Now, it is possible to take real action. By using this advice, you will never have to deal with acid reflux again. Stay in a vertical position for no less than two hours following eating to avoid a reflux attack. The thinking here is that gravity's your best bet in avoiding acid reflux. The length of time you should wait will depend on your personal symptoms as well as the foods you have eaten.