Acid reflux is a condition that can affect people from a variety of backgrounds. It is caused when the sphincter of the esophagus is weakened and the stomach acid gets stronger. Without intervention, the condition can cause a deterioration of health. Here’s some advice to decrease the chances of acid reflux.
If you notice that spicy foods cause you problems, do not eat anything with peppers or chilies in them. This will help to prevent heartburn. At the very least, reduce the frequency with which you eat these items. You should notice an immediate difference in the way that you feel.
Opt for lean meats and food that does not have a lot of fat in it. If you indulge in greasy foods, like French fries, you are more likely to suffer from acid reflux. Try tracking your food for a week and seeing what triggers your heartburn. Adjust your diet accordingly.
The manner in which you eat can aggravate acid reflux symptoms. Overeating and consuming your food too quickly is a common mistake that people make. This is an improper way to eat and only serves to make things worse in the future. Avoid overeating. You should also make a conscious effort to eat more slowly. Enjoy your food by chewing carefully, setting your fork down in between each bite.
Never, ever, EVER lie down after you eat! Even if you have only had a few bites, you may find that food comes back to haunt you in short order if you lie down. Eat all meals at least two hours before lying down for a nap or overnight to ensure that acid doesn’t sneak back up your esophagus.
To help avoid acid reflux, take your time and chew your food slowly. This technique helps you to avoid overeating. When you overeat, food is pressed in the top of your stomach; thus, it allows stomach acids to build up in you esophagus. For best results, eat small meals often.
Stop smoking if you are trying to rid yourself of issues with acid reflux. Many people do not know this, but smoking causes the muscles in the esophagus to relax. This can create some of the symptoms associated with acid reflux, so quit if you are trying to make things better.
Reflux may feel painful enough to trick you into thinking you are suffering from a heart attack. You should not be ignoring chest pains at any time. You may be experiencing a heart attack. You should consider going to the ER or calling your doctor for advice. A misdiagnosis could lead to serious issues.
If you have been experiencing symptoms of acid reflux, try to cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink. Having some drinks tends to relax the muscles in the stomach. When this happens, people start to experience worsening of these symptoms. If you must have a drink, make sure to limit yourself to one or two drinks.
Elevate your bed’s head. You can do this by putting a brick under the headboard. You can also prop your head up with pillows. The head of the bed should be six inches more elevated than the bottom of the bed. By raising your chest and head, it helps prevent stomach acid from rising into your esophagus while you’re asleep.
There are certain foods that trigger acid reflux. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to avoid these if possible. One example is chocolate. While dark chocolate doesn’t appear to be as bad as high-fat milk chocolate, they both contain caffeine and cocoa, which are both known to cause acid reflux.
While eating your meals, limit your beverage consumption. Although this may sound silly, drinking lots of beverages during your meals can actually cause acid reflux. This is because liquids increase the volume of food in your stomach. When your stomach is full, the lower esophageal sphincter has more pressure placed upon it. This muscle prevents food from coming up through your esophagus, which prevents acid reflux. You need to protect your lower esophageal sphincter as much as possible.
Try a spoonful of honey. While there is no hard evidence that honey treats acid reflux, it is very useful to soothe and relieve the painful burning associated with it. Honey will coat your esophagus in a protective and soothing layer, and help neutralize some of the acid. If you are looking for some relief until you can identify and treat the cause of your heartburn, a little honey can be just what you need to get back to sleep.
As stated earlier, many people get acid reflux. Due to a combination of increased acidity in the stomach and sphincter weakening, the condition arises and causes pain for anyone who gets it. Rather than letting acid reflux take its toll on you, you can prevent it from happening. Remember this article and eat in peace.
