Have you ever experienced a pain in the center of your chest after eating or while you sleep? This is one of the symptoms associated with acid reflux. To learn more about acid reflux, keep reading. The article below will help you learn about acid reflux and how to manage it.
Stay away from acidic foods. They can both cause and exacerbate acid reflux. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, try to avoid oranges, tomatoes, grapefruit and vinegar. If you can’t cut them out of your diet completely, at least try to avoid eating them in the evenings, so acid reflux doesn’t strike when it is time for bed.
Your dinner should occur three hours or more prior to your bedtime. Staying upright can help the food get pulled into your stomach. Laying down can cause both to rise again. So, you should allow a few hours to pass prior to going to sleep.
Avoid certain foods. Certain foods can trigger acid reflux, so it’s important to avoid them. Stay away from spicy, greasy or acidic foods, and try to avoid caffeine and alcohol. This is especially important if you are eating a late meal; whenever possible eat dinner at least three hours before bedtime.
You need to exercise if you have GERD, but don’t overdo it. Losing weight is a huge factor in controlling acid reflux, so go out for a run, play some soccer or go for a swim. That said, don’t push your body too hard or you may find your GERD becomes active.
Fat around your stomach doesn’t just put you at increased risk of type II diabetes, heart disease and stroke, it also causes you to be more likely to develop acid reflux or will worsen symptoms if you are already a sufferer. Lose weight by exercising moderately and eating low-fat, low-acid foods.
Did you know that smoking cigarettes could be contributing to your problem with acid reflux? Nicotine causes the esophageal sphincter to relax. When it relaxes, it can allow acid to come up and cause you pain. Kick the habit and you might just kick the acid reflux problem at the same time.
Avoid wearing clothing that is restricting around your abdomen. Wear your belts loosely and avoid pantyhose that are tight if at all possible. These articles could push on your stomach. This pressure on the abdomen could easily lead to heartburn. You may have to do some sit-ups each day to avoid buying new pants and skirts that fit properly.
People who suffer from acid reflux should try to consume foods that are high in calcium, cesium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. These minerals are alkaline and will help reduce the acidity in your stomach. The lower the levels of acid in your stomach, the less you will suffer from acid reflux.
Reduce the fat in your diet. Excess fat causes your LES muscle to relax, which delays stomach emptying. As a result, acid reflux is more likely to occur. Therefore, if you consume lots of fried foods, substitute them for leaner, grilled options. This is not only good for your acid reflux, but also for your overall health.
Limit the amount of drinks you have when you eat. Beverages can add volume to the food that you digest and increase how distended your stomach is. Having a full stomach puts some pressure on your LES or lower esophageal sphincter, which is responsible for keeping food from getting back into the esophagus. This increases your chances for having reflux. To lower chances, take small sips when eating and try drinking your beverages between meals instead of during meals.
Consider taking a proton pump inhibitor. Drugs such as omeprazole work to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces, stopping acid reflux at the source. Make sure you talk to your doctor before starting these types of medicine, even those that can be obtained over-the-counter. You will need to make sure that too much acid in the stomach is the cause of your acid reflux.
If acid reflux is a serious problem for you, examine your typical posture. Although sitting up straight will not cure your symptoms, it will improve them. When you are hunched over, you contort inner organs and muscles in unnatural positions and that can worsen your acid reflux problem. Sit completely upright and relax, for ease of symptoms and less back pain too.
Consume Vitamin B-12 supplements in the morning to help with your acid reflux symptoms. This vitamin not only helps to reduce the stress in your life, but can break down proteins too. This will help improve the quality of your digestive track, so that foods do not cause inflammation near your heart.
Once you are educated about acid reflux, you will better be able to determine if that is the problem you have. Use the tips and advice found above and you should feel much better throughout your days. There is no need to suffer if you are educated about this health problem that so many people share.
