Acid reflux is a condition that affects countless individuals and causes everything from minor irritation to debilitating pain. The key to managing the condition successfully is knowledge. Read the information that follows below, and you will be prepared to deal with the symptoms of acid reflux and live the pain-free life you deserve.
It is important that you don’t eat too quickly if you suffer from acid reflux. The slower you eat, the better! Not only will it allow you to begin to break down the food in your stomach, it will ensure that you feel full when you really are full, something that doesn’t happen if you eat too quickly.
Stress can trigger an attack of acid reflux. High stress leads to higher acid production. Follow each meal with a period of relaxation. This may be meditation, yoga, reading a book, watching television, etc.
Avoid eating spicy foods including those with hot peppers in them. These foods can lead to painful acid reflux after eating, so not eating them can easily remedy your discomfort. Instead, focus on spices which don’t lead to pain, such as cinnamon or herbs. They taste great and leave you comfortable post-meal.
It is possible for you to choke in your sleep. This happens when stomach acid makes its way up into your throat. If you experience a bitter taste in your mouth, you may need acid suppressing medicine. Speak with your doctor about the problems to get the best advice on how to proceed.
What you drink will affect your acid reflux just as much as what you eat. Anything with caffeine should be avoided. In addition, carbonated beverages will cause you to have issues, as will alcohol. Be mindful of what you consume, and try to stick with water whenever possible if you want to be on the safe side.
Stop smoking. Smoking can cause the muscles that control the esophageal sphincter between the stomach and esophagus to relax. When this happens, stomach acid can escape from the stomach and into your esophagus, causing that familiar burning sensation. If you are a smoker and frequently get bouts of heartburn, it may be time to quit or at least reduce your habit.
Watch the numbers on the scale to help alleviate symptoms associated with acid reflux. If you are carrying around several extra pounds, you are putting an increased amount of pressure on your stomach, esophagus and digestive tract. By shedding just a few pounds, you can improve your symptoms without the need for medications.
Try wearing loose clothes if you have acid reflux. Do what you can to avoid having anything that fits tightly near your middle area. This can cause unnecessary pressure on the stomach and worsen your acid reflux symptoms. You may resume wearing tight clothes after your symptoms are dealt with. In the mean time, try sticking with comfortable and stretchy clothes.
Sleep at least 8 hours at night to help prevent acid reflux in your life. A good amount of rest during the night can help your body to recuperate from the day and get back to 100%. This will aid in reducing the acid in your body, which is a catalyst for acid reflux.
You may wish to give up spicy foods, as they may be a large factor in your acid reflux attacks. Start first by completely avoiding spicy foods altogether and see if this helps. If it does, then slowly start working spicy foods back into your diet in order to find what your tolerance level is.
Elevate your head at least 5 inches when you are sleeping to create a better flow of saliva down your esophagus when you are sleeping. This will help to reduce the acid that builds up in your stomach so that you do not wake up with any symptoms in the morning.
Keep a journal of the foods you eat and how you feel after you eat them. This can help you determine what your particular trigger foods are. If a food bothers your stomach and causes you acid reflux symptoms, you should do your best to avoid this food as much as possible.
Reduce or eliminate your alcoholic consumption because alcohol can interfere with gastric emptying. As a result, your acid reflux can worsen. If you cannot completely eliminate alcohol, then try consuming it in moderate amounts and diluting it with water or soda. In addition, if you are a wine drinker, try white wine rather than red because white doesn’t flare up acid reflux symptoms as bad.
There is no denying the potential of acid reflux to complicate the lives of those who suffer from it. However, with a bit of good information and insight, it is possible to handle the condition skillfully in a way that enables to you lead a normal life. With any luck, this article has provided you with just that.
