Are you experiencing chest pain? Does it feel even worse when you are reclining? Is it after a meal that the pain usually begins? Do you get a bitter taste? Acid reflux could cause health issues such as a damaged esophagus if you do not take action. These are all indicators of acid reflux, but there are things you can do to help.
Pregnant women often experience acid reflux. As the belly gets crowded by the baby, the acid could be pushed into the esophagus. You can keep your symptoms under control by sticking with low-fat and low-acid foods. Drink some green tea to neutralize the acid in your stomach and soothe your esophagus.
Try to quit smoking if you are afflicted with acid reflux. Stomach acid production goes up when you smoke while saliva production goes down. Quitting cold turkey can make acid reflux symptoms worse. Slowly slack off.
Exercise can be difficult after you eat if you have acid reflux. The food in the stomach may be pushed up into the esophagus when the lower muscles in the abdomen contract during exercising. Therefore, it is important to refrain from exercising for two hours after a meal.
Elevate the headboard of your bed. Use risers or bricks to increase the incline. The head of the bed needs to be 6-8" higher than at the foot. By keeping your upper body elevated, you can prevent stomach acid from rising while sleeping.
A little bit of physical activity can go a long way. It’s important the exercise stay moderate. High impact exercise can make it worse, but low impact exercise can make it much better. Doing upright exercises can help gravity help you digest your food. Finally, exercise can help you shed some pounds. A healthy body weight is another great way to relieve your acid reflux.
Steer clear of your most potent trigger foods for reflux. Certain foods are most likely to cause acid reflux. These include high-fat foods, caffeine, citrus, spicy foods, tomatoes, garlic, carbonated beverages, mints, and alcohol. However, everyone’s triggers are different. Some of these foods may not cause acid reflux for you, while others foods do. So, be aware of the foods that worsen your specific symptoms.
You should have your dinner three hours before sleeping. Do the math! If your bedtime is at ten o’clock in the evening, your last bite should be no later than seven o’clock. Laying down puts pressure on your abdominal muscles and stomach, and it is best that your food is fully digested. This can cause an increase of acid reflux symptoms.
Avoid being in a reclined position for at least two hours after eating a meal if you wish to avoid an acid reflux attack. Standing up straight is the best way to battle acid reflux. The length of time you should wait will depend on your personal symptoms as well as the foods you have eaten.
Do not drink at mealtime if you want to lower the risk of reflux. When you’re drinking with your meals, you increase your stomach volume. That causes pressure on your esophageal sphincter which in turn leads to acid leaking upwards. Drink between meals rather than with your meal to reduce this risk.
Acid reflux is common among pregnant women but you should try identifying what could be making it worse. It could be something silly like drinking some water after a certain time. By learning what is causing your acid reflux, you can stop it in its tracks.
Drink fewer liquids during meals. That’s because beverages increase your stomach volume. A full stomach means more pressure than your esophageal sphincter can handle. This muscle keeps food in the stomach and away from the esophagus.
Be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing if you are having an acid reflux attack. The tighter your clothes are, the more pressure there is on your stomach. This can aggravate any reflux you may be experiencing. So when things start going bad, be ready to get comfy very quickly! It’s also advisable to be proactive and wear something loose fitting to a big meal.
What you drink and how often you drink should be analyzed if you suffer from acid reflux. Do you drink soda all day, or drink 12 cups of coffee each day? You need to drink less during your meals and stay away from caffeinated drinks.
If you frequently battle the symptoms of acid reflux, you are advised to limit alcohol consumption. All forms of alcohol, such as wine, beer, liquor, etc., can harm your esophagus, resulting in acid reflux. Instead of drinking alcohol, reach for water instead.
No, it is not a heart attack. It’s not a cold nor is it a problem with the food you’re eating. You realize that you’ve got acid reflux, and now you know what to do about it. Make time and put in effort to feel better.