You may be quite familiar with the pain if you’re suffering from acid reflux. The pain can be bad enough to impair your daily life. Fortunately,there are some changes that can be made to help relieve the pain. Keep reading for what you need to know to get your acid reflux under control.
Don’t overeat. Only eat until you feel sated, your stomach stops growling and ends your hunger discomfort. If you become hungry again shortly after eating, drink a glass of water instead of having a snack. When you eat too much, your stomach has trouble digesting and you may find acid reflux rears its ugly head.
You may need to change your diet if you suffer from acid reflux disease. Sugary and processed foods increase the amount of acid that is produced in your stomach, the cause of acid reflux disease. Fruits and vegetables are great foods to eat that do not cause or worsen acid reflux.
Those who are overweight have a higher chance of getting acid reflux than others. This is due to stomach pressure. The excess weight of an overweight person adds more pressure to the stomach, relaxing the muscles of the lower sphincter of the esophagus, creating acid reflux. Fat in the body can also interrupt normal digestion. A little weight loss can go a long way in preventing acid reflux.
There are certain foods that can trigger acid reflux in our bodies. Fried foods, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, and even chocolate are common triggers for acid reflux. Additionally, citrus fruit, tomatoes and other foods with a high level of acidity can cause problems. However, triggers are an individual thing so you need to read your own body to just what is not working for you. To be safe, avoid all these.
Many people like to lie down and relax after eating a big meal. This is bad for the digestive system and can lead to acid reflux. Instead, try walking around or standing to give the food a chance to digest. Wat at least two hours after eating to lie down. Also, elevate your body while sleeping.
Sometimes, there is nothing that can be done to prevent acid reflux disease. This is why you need to learn of what you can do when an attack occurs. Try drinking cold milk or eating some cracker or bread. These remedies help by reducing the amount of acid that comes up through the esophagus.
There are many over-the-counter medications you can take for acid reflux. They are called antacids and they work by stopping excess acid production. Just be aware that no one medication works for everyone. If you try one and it is not effective for you, keep trying others until you find the right one for you.
Eat small meals frequently, instead of indulging in larger ones. Large meals can increase the chance of acid reflux occurring. When you eat to much it puts pressure on your sphincter; this in turn causes it to open. The stomach acid can then get into the esophagus and cause heartburn. Therefore, consume smaller meals more frequently to prevent this problem.
What you drink could play a major role in whether you have acid reflux symptoms or not. Carbonated beverages, such as soda, increase stomach acid production, thus, increasing acid that comes up through the esophagus. Caffeinated beverages also have the same effect. Try to stay away from these drinks and stick to water.
Pregnant women sometimes experience acid reflux due to pregnancy pressure on the stomach. Talk to your doctor to determine the correct course of action if you are in this situation, especially in the latter stages of your pregnancy.
Reduce the amount of fat that is in your diet to help your acid reflux symptoms. Try to stay away from fried foods, fatty steaks, greasy pizzas, etc. These can relax your LES, slow down your stomach emptying and cause reflux. Try eating lean protein like seafood, beans, lean red meat and skinless poultry, along with whole grains and fiber-rich produce.
One of the worst things you can do if you suffer from acid reflux is to lie down after a meal. It is very important that for at least two hours after you eat, you do not lie flat on your back or stomach. It is best if you stand up and walk a little bit. This will help get your stomach juices flowing in the right direction.
If you smoke, you need to quit. Obviously, there are many reasons why you should quit, but if you suffer from acid reflux, this is yet another reason. Smoking slows down your digestion and reduces your saliva production, which worsens acid reflux symptoms. In addition, smoking harms your LES muscle, further worsening your acid reflux. Quitting this terrible habit can significantly improve your acid reflux, not to mention all the other benefits.
Don’t allow acid reflux to rule your life. By following the simple tips here, you will be in less pain and you can go back to your regular lifestyle. So get going and get your life back on track!
