Although it’s fairly common, acid reflux can quickly become problematic if it goes undiagnosed or treated. If you think you have symptoms of acid reflux, researching it is one of the best things you can do. Read this article for tips on recognizing acid reflux and take care of yourself!
The last meal of the day should be eaten around three hours before you get in bed. If you are sitting after a meal, gravity keeps acid down. If you lie down, acid can move into the esophagus. That is why you should wait a few hours prior to sleeping.
The way you sit after eating can affect acid reflux and can keep it from traveling up your esophagus. After eating, try to remain sitting upright for around two to three hours before lying down. If you’re having problems when you lay down later, prop your head up about six inches.
When you eat high fat foods like fried chicken, your stomach empties very slowly. This allows it to become distended and your esophagus may fill up with acid. Choose healthier foods like lean proteins or beans to avoid this situation and you should be able to control your acid reflux like a pro.
Stress can cause your muscles to contract, and when this happens to your stomach, acid will be pushed upwards. Try some relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga or meditation to reduce your stress and help you deal with situations which can be emotionally tumultuous. When you master these techniques, acid reflux may be reduced.
High fat foods may be tasty, but that can be troublesome for anyone who suffers from acid reflux. Foods that are high in fat cause the sphincter of the lower portion of the esophagus to become relaxed and increase the time it takes for the stomach to empty. Both of these conditions make it possible for acid reflux to occur. Eat a healthy balanced diet of vegetables, fiber, grains, and lean protein.
Pregnant women often experience acid reflux. The baby grows and pushes on the stomach. If you want to improve your situation, stay away from fatty or acidic foods. A woman should watch how she deals with acid reflux symptoms when pregnant and consult their doctor.
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.
Learn your trigger foods. When you know what foods or beverages cause you acid reflux, you can avoid them to keep your symptoms to a minimum. Some foods that often cause symptoms are foods that are fried, fatty, spicy and carbonated drinks. These are just some examples and what bothers someone else, might not bother you.
Don’t just treat the symptoms of acid reflux with antacids. This does nothing to help reverse the damage caused to the esophagus caused by acid. You’ll need to make lifestyle changes that prevent acid reflux from occurring to allow the esophagus to heal itself and prevent serious problems in the future.
You should never lay down after a meal. When you recline, your digestion slows down. Remaining in a seated position allows you to bypass the unpleasant effects of acid reflux.
Always eat slowly. Try only eating until you’re almost full. Chew each bite many times and enjoy the taste. Acid reflux tends to get much worse when you overeat or eat too quickly. An excellent method of slowing down your eating is putting down your fork or spoon after you have taken each bite.
Lose weight by going to the gym and performing cardiovascular exercises if you want to limit your acid reflux symptoms. If you are overweight, you will have a better chance of acid reflux building in your stomach and causing heartburn. Exercising can help with your heartburn and improve your health at the same time.
Avoid eating fatty foods such as french fries, pizza and other fried foods. Fatty foods relax the stomach muscles allowing acids to rise into the esophagus resulting in increase acid reflux. Instead of fatty foods, opt for lean proteins such as baked chicken breasts along with fruits and vegetables.
Were you already aware that food with acid and alkaline are unrelated to a food’s pH level? Foods that are acidic such as lemons are really highly alkaline when digestion occurs. If you are struggling with acid reflux, this may be confusing to you. Learning about the pH of different foods can make it easier to avoid reflux symptoms.
Don’t allow yourself to suffer any longer. If you have the pain and inconvenience that spurs from acid reflux, you can do something to change that. Remember the tips in this article and apply them to your life so you can avoid that pain. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step!
