Acid Reflux: Tips And Tricks To Help

Acid Reflux: Tips And Tricks To Help

Those who suffer from acid reflux deal with a lot of pain and discomfort on a daily basis. This cannot be disputed. The truth of the matter is, however, that with a good amount of knowledge and information, it is possible for just about anyone to make their condition much more tolerable. Read on for some great advice. Keep a close watch on specific foods you have recently consumed when you are troubled by reflux. There are probably foods that trigger acid reflux every time. Identifying your own trigger can help you avoid those foods in the evening when reflux is more likely to be an issue. To get good sleep each night, use a wedge under the mattress of your bed so that your head is in the raised position. If you do not have a wedge, place a block of wood or a few books under your mattress to raise your head. If you can afford to, get an electronically controlled bed to keep your head elevated. Smoking and acid reflux are not things that go well together. Stomach acid levels increase with nicotine consumption. This makes acid reflux worse. But, you may not want to quit quit abruptly, as doing so may stress the body unduly, making the acid reflux even worse. Take your time when quitting.

Quit Smoking

Don't exercise right after a meal. When lower abdominal muscles tighten during a work out, this can lead to food moving back into the esophagus. Allow one to two hours to pass before you partake in exercise activities. Try to quit smoking if you are afflicted with acid reflux. Acid reflux is made worse by nicotine because it stimulates stomach acid production. Don't stress yourself by stopping smoking all at once as this could also exacerbate your problem. Gradually quit smoking instead. Chew cinnamon flavored gum after you eat. Whenever you chew gum, your saliva production increases. The saliva will help neutralize stomach acid. Chewing also makes you swallow more, which helps to clear the esophagus of excess acid. If not cinnamon gum, fruit flavors work as well. Chewing minty gum is not a good option since it can relax your esophagus and cause acid reflux. Refrain from sitting down after you consume a meal. If you recline or lie down, the acid will go up into the esophagus since gravity isn't moving it down. By sitting or standing upright, your acid reflux will be significantly improved. Sometimes, reflux symptoms can seem very similar to the symptoms of a heart attack. Don't ignore really bad chest pains. It is possible that a heart attack is occurring or is close. Talk to your doctor about your options. Do not take any risks if you believe your health might be at risk. Chew a stick of cinnamon gum after meals. This will increase the production of saliva. Saliva aids the neutralization of stomach acid. Additionally, you will swallow more often while chewing gum, and this will remove any acid sitting in the esophagus. You may find fruit flavored gum gives you the same effect. Gum containing mint is not a smart idea. Mint relaxes the esophageal sphincter and worsens acid reflux. Raise up your bed's headboard. You can raise your bed with bricks or wood blocks. Try to adjust the head of your bed at least six inches. You can stop stomach acid from rising into your esophagus by elevating your chest and head during sleep. Somtimes acid reflux is extremely painful and causes the sufferer to believe a heart attack is in progress. Always take chest pains very seriously. It is possible that a heart attack is occurring or is close. Call your doctor immediately to find out what to do. A misdiagnosis could lead to serious issues. Refrain from drinking alcohol, which can irritate your stomach lining. Alcohol not only causes acid to build up within your stomach, but can deteriorate your stomach lining, which can lead to acid reflux. Whenever you go out with your friends, be sure to keep your drinking under control so that you won't feel sick afterward. Place your bed on risers to help with night time acid reflux. You can do this by putting a brick under the headboard. You can also prop your head up with pillows. The head should be raised about six inches or so. When you have your chest and head elevated, stomach acid is less likely to come up when sleeping. If you suffer with acid reflux, don't lay down after eating. When you lie down, your body will not digest the food you've just eaten correctly. When you are upright, gravity will assist in keeping acid down. Stay away from clothing that is too restricting. Pantyhose, waistbands, tight belts, and skinny jeans are common culprits. This adds more pressure around your stomach. It may actually cause reflux to occur. Put on clothing that feels good and doesn't press down on your stomach. Lower your stress levels when it comes to relationships, school or your home life. Stress produces stomach acid, which in turn can cause inflammation and heartburn pain. Identify the root of your anxiety and take steps to remove it from your daily life as soon as possible. Exercising too strenuously can actually aggravate your acid reflux. Try drinking more water. When you drink more water, your body is hydrated sufficiently. It may also help food digest better. Water can help balance out the actions of acid in your stomach. Just don't drink too much water at the time. Shed pounds. Being overweight can cause you to suffer from reflux even more. The extra fat around your belly increases the pressure that is put on your stomach, making it far more likely to reflux. Sometimes, just losing several pounds will help. Anyone who suffers from the condition will be able to inform you of just how much this can effect their daily life. You can take steps to reduce your symptoms and alleviate your pain for the long term. You and your loved ones can find relief by applying the information shared here. Be sure to go to bed with a fairly empty stomach. You shouldn't eat for at least three hours before going to bed. Your stomach acid will cause reflux when you try to sleep with a full stomach.