Have you ever questioned what that bitter taste in your mouth is? Does your voice go hoarse at times? Is there times that you have chest pains that you cannot explain? If you have answered yes to these questions, continue reading this article. You will learn about acid reflux and if it is what is causing your discomforts.
The most significant factor attributed with acid reflux is being overweight. Those who are obese are two times more likely to have GERD than someone who is at a healthy weight. The pressure on your stomach of all the extra pounds can cause the esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing acid to give you trouble.
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.
Limit your liquid intake with meals if you’re prone to acid reflux. Even healthy beverages like water can fill up your stomach fast, creating conditions that are conducive to acid reflux. Sip your beverage conservatively and never gulp it down. Wait a half an hour after a big meal to enjoy quenching your thirst.
There are some foods which people who suffer from acid reflux must avoid. These include high-fat foods, alcohol, drinks with caffeine, anything with mint in it, chocolate, citrus, anything with tomato in it, foods with spices in them, peppers, garlic, carbonated drinks and onions. You may find your acid reflux flares with many other foods as well, so make a list.
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.
Don’t drink alcohol if you are trying to treat symptoms of acid reflux. The effects of alcohol actually work to relax the muscles in your esophagus, which worsens reflux. Consider what you are eating, how you are eating and if you’ve got too much stress in your life as possible reasons for frequent acid reflux and change them before reaching for your next drink.
If you have excess fat in the abdominal area, it can cause you to experience acid reflux. This is because there is extra pressure in the abdominal area. The best way for you to reduce these symptoms would be for you to try to get some of the excess weight off.
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.
Avoid eating large quantities of food that contain a lot of acid. This may cause you to experience heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms. These foods include grapefruit, vinegar, lemons and tomatoes. If you are going to eat these foods, make sure that you are very mindful of the portion size.
Keep a journal of all of the foods that seem to be causing you to get acid reflux and the ones that are not. Steer clear of the foods that you see to be a problem in your life. Every person reacts differently to certain foods, so personalize your regimen to account for this.
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.
Immediately after you have consumed a meal, do not lie flat. This can cause the food you have eaten to remain trapped in your esophagus, worsening acid reflux. Instead, walk around and remain upright for at least two hours. Doing this will assist in digestion, which will relieve your acid reflux.
A good way to keep acid reflux symptoms at bay is with a low-impact exercise program. Low-impact exercises, including walking and swimming, can significantly help manage your acid reflux symptoms. Keeping your body upright helps put gravity on your side when it comes to digestion.
Do you now have a better understanding of what is going on with your body? Did this article help you learn what to do to lessen the pain you feel? Use the information provided to you each day. You will soon be able to eat, sleep and be merry about your life every day.
