Acid reflux causes pain and discomfort. Luckily, there are many things you can do to manage and even eliminate acid reflux. The article that follows below is meant to serve as a valuable tool for managing this most frustrating illness.
A poor style of eating can make acid reflux worse. Many people like to eat at a fast pace and eat a lot of food. However, you should not do this because this will only worsen your acid reflux. Instead, you should eat only until you are satisfied, not full. Also, when you sit at the table to eat, slow down. Enjoy your food by chewing carefully, setting your fork down in between each bite.
Instead of drinking with your food, drink between meals. Many times your body tricks you into thinking you are hungry when you are actually thirsty. Also, acid is less likely to come up via the esophagus when you do not drink during meals.
If you are active, you may notice your acid reflux flares up after strenuous activities. Try drinking more water. Water helps with hydration. Also, it aids in digestion. Using water to help digest food can decrease acid production in your stomach.
There are particular foods that help trigger acid reflux. The consumption of these items should be limited to avoid reflux. A few foods that frequently cause problems are tomatoes, milk, alcohol, acidic juices, coffee or spicy foods.
If you suffer with acid reflux, don’t lay down after eating. Your digestive tract may not function as well in this position. If you remain upright, you will feel much better.
Try to limit the triggers of stress in your life stemming from school, relationships or personal issues. Stress is a major cause of producing too much stomach acid which can cause inflammation and heartburn. Eliminate the triggers to solve the problem at its root.
Shed some excess pounds. Being overweight can cause you to suffer from reflux even more. Acid will have a tendency to stay inside your stomach if you lose weight in your midsection. Even shedding just a few pounds can bring a great deal of relief.
Try not to drink too close to mealtime; drink in between meals instead. Your esophageal sphincter experiences constant pressure whenever your stomach is filled with liquid. When this happens, stomach acid moves upward and damages your esophageal lining.
Drink less alcohol if you are dealing with acid reflux. Alcohol is responsible for excess production of stomach acid. If you must have alcoholic drinks, limit them to one or two per day, and try to identify a type of drink that doesn’t make your reflux worse.
You should not self-diagnose with the acid reflux. When you are experiencing pain in your stomach, it is always best to speak with a professional. There are many health conditions that mimic acid reflux. Your physician has tests he can conduct to determine a diagnosis.
Chewing cinnamon gum following a meal may help with acid reflux. Chewing causes saliva to be produced, neutralizing acid. Chewing some gum also causes most people to swallow with greater frequency. This increased swallowing carries the acid back to the stomach and keeps it from causing heartburn.
Try to limit food consumption in the hours leading up to bed. It is important to allow this time because sleep slows down the digestion process. Eating just before bed can cause you to awaken with heartburn.
Avoid large meals before bedtime each night. Stop eating approximately three hours before retiring. You could wake up with heartburn if you do this.
Limit the amount you drink during your meals. That’s because beverages increase your stomach volume. A full stomach adds pressure to the lower esophageal sphincter. This muscle assists in food absorption; therefore, when it is under additional pressure, food remains in your esophagus, leading to acid reflux.
It is a fact that acid reflux can negatively affect the lives of those who have this condition. With sufficient understanding of reflux, it is possible to take the steps needed to overcome its effects. Review the above material often in order to master the condition permanently.