People who suffer with acid reflux are no strangers to pain. There are times when it prevents you from functioning properly. There is hope though, as there are ways you can ease your pain and discomfort. Read the below article in order to learn how.
If you have acid reflux disease, you may want to consider using Proton Pump Inhibitors, or PPIs. This is a medication is prescribed your doctor and is used to stop stomach acid from getting into your intestines and stomach. Obviously, if there is no acid in your stomach, it cannot come up through the esophagus either.
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.
Do not smoke if you suffer from acid reflux. Nicotine facilitates the production of stomach acid, increasing occurrences of acid reflux. Still, don’t try to stop immediately. This could cause your acid reflux to get worse, as your body will be going through withdrawal. Take your time.
Keep a journal. If you can track when and what you are doing when you have an acid attack, you might be able to alter your life to eliminate those attacks. Write down what you eat, what you have done that day and if you have had any discomforts. You may be surprised at what you find and how easy it is to eliminate some of your problems.
Certain foods will cause your acid reflex to act up. Chocolate is one of them, unfortunately. Also try to avoid mint, ketchup, mustard and even mint. If you are able to change your diet even just a little bit, you should feel much better and should have less episodes going forward.
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.
Choose exercise which keeps you standing upright. Doing this can really help to ease your acid reflux in a few different ways. Your digestive process will be improved if you remain upright. Also, it can facilitate weight loss, which also improves acid reflux symptoms. While moderate exercise is vital, avoid intense exercise since it can worsen reflux.
Try some natural ways to reduce the effects of acid reflux in your body. There are lots of medications that you can take to help with your acid reflux, but why take them if you can control it naturally? Try to eat foods that are alkaline. Foods such as milk, bananas, almonds, tofu and avocados are all alkaline foods.
Have an early dinner. Eating too close to bedtime is a prime cause of acid reflux. If your stomach is still digesting your dinner when you retire, the combination of increased stomach activity and a horizontal position is a recipe for disaster. Try to eat dinner a minimum of three hours before bed.
Acid reflux can be difficult to deal with. If you watch what you eat you can alleviate many of the symptoms. Avoiding fatty foods is very important. Fatty steaks, chicken wings, deep fried foods and pizza are all high in fat. These fats make your stomach work harder and increase the likelihood of acid reflux symptoms.
If there are not enough reasons to quit smoking, here is one more. Quitting smoking will greatly reduce the likelihood of contracting GERD. The digestion process is slowed down by smoking and it also increases production of stomach acid. Smoking reduces the production of saliva which is the body’s defense against stomach acid.
If acid reflux is a serious problem for you, examine your typical posture. Although sitting up straight will not cure your symptoms, it will improve them. When you are hunched over, you contort inner organs and muscles in unnatural positions and that can worsen your acid reflux problem. Sit completely upright and relax, for ease of symptoms and less back pain too.
Make exercise a part of your healthy eating plan. Moderate exercise can facilitate the process involved in digesting your food properly, and it can also help you to lose excess pounds. Both of these things can have a positive effect on acid reflux problems. Make a point to work out at a moderate level at least three times a week for best results.
Acid reflux will no longer have control over you. By taking the steps outlined in the article you’ve read, you can make your lifestyle changes and live a healthier life. Take control of your life again.
