People who have acid reflux really do suffer. No matter what caused their issues, healing can start by learning more about their condition. The article below will explain what you need to know to overcome acid reflux.
If you maintain a healthy weight, you are less likely to suffer from acid reflux. Those extra pounds put pressure on the stomach and cause the bottom of your esophagus to relax and allow reflux. By reducing your weight you can reverse this process, which will greatly reduce your symptoms.
When you suffer from acid reflux, it is a smart idea to lay off the spicy foods. These types of foods tend to increase the amount of acid located in the digestive tract. As a result, your acid reflux can worsen. You will usually find relief by avoiding these foods.
Slippery elm is an herbal supplement that can thicken the mucous membranes that line the stomach. This layer keeps your stomach safe from stomach acid. Some folks take a couple tablespoons of it in water each night before going to bed.
Be sure to watch what kind of foods you ate before you noticed the reflux symptoms. People that suffer from acid reflux must identify their trigger foods. Identifying your own trigger can help you avoid those foods in the evening when reflux is more likely to be an issue.
Exercising right after a meal can aggravate your acid reflux. Contractions of the lower stomach during exercise can cause undigested food to be forced upwards in the esophagus. Wait at least one to two hours after a meal before exercising.
Acid reflux is so painful that it can sometimes be mistaken for a heart attack. Don’t ever make the mistake of ignoring serious pain in your chest. It could be a heart attack. Call your doctor immediately to find out what to do. A misdiagnosis could lead to serious issues.
One of the major causes of heart burn is alcohol. It should be avoided. It has two major effects on your body; it increases the amount of acid in your stomach and it destroys your stomach lining, both of which exacerbate acid reflux. Reduce your alcohol intake as much as possible and quit drinking if you experience acid reflux every time you drink.
Do not lay down right after eating if acid reflux is a problem for you. Your digestive tract may not function as well in this position. This upright position can help the flow of liquids in your body.
Eat smaller meals, several times a day. Having a couple of large meals a day will put you at risk for acid reflux. A very full stomach increases pressure on your esophageal sphincter, which causes it to relax. Heartburn is caused when the stomach acid comes back to your esophagus. Try to eat frequent, small meals throughout the day instead.
If you have weight to lose, work on taking it off. Being heavy will contribute to acid reflux. This is because it can cause stomach acid to work its way into your esophagus. This can end up causing an erosion of your esophageal lining. In order to lose weight, you need to live healthy by regular exercise and a good diet.
Stay calm. Overeating or eating during stressful periods can lead to production of stomach acid, which then leads to heartburn. After you eat, take some time to breath deeply, meditate or simply relax. You should stay upright after eating vs laying down.
Cinnamon gum can greatly help with acid reflux. When you chew gum, salivary glands begin working which helps to neutralize the stomach acid. Chewing your gum also causes you to swallow more. This keeps acid in the stomach.
To reduce acid reflux symptoms, consume your last meal of the day a minimum of three hours before you settle in for sleep. For instance, if you hit the sack at 11, you should be eating your last meal before 8. A full stomach leads to pressure on the esophageal sphincter. When you do that, you’ll have acid reflux flare ups.
Slim down if you are overweight. That extra weight can be a big culprit of your acid reflux issues. This adds pressure to your stomach causing you heartburn and reflux symptoms. Therefore, lose some weight, even just a few pounds, in order to relieve your acid reflux.
If you have acid reflux, then you know how hard it is to eat spaghetti and pizza. When cooking with tomato bases, adding sugar can help reduce acidity. This may make the sauce a little sweet, but it will be easier to eat.
If you are suffering endlessly from acid reflux, it’s important to take steps to do something about it. You might as well start right now. Eat better, workout and use the above tips for immediate relief.