If you have wanted to get rid of acid reflux for quite some time, then you need to know how to find the right solutions. This article will provide good ideas for ridding yourself of acid reflux. Keep reading for a better understanding about acid reflux.
Do not eat your dinner less than three hours before you go to bed. The acid in your stomach stays put when you stand or sit upright. Because of gravity, these acids can rise into the esophagus when you are not sitting or standing, causing heartburn. Thus, you need to delay going to bed.
If your weight and BMI are considered normal, you are less vulnerable to GERD. Excess fat pushing on your stomach could cause the esophageal sphincter to relax. Your sphincter will work properly once you get in shape.
Fatty foods make it that much worse for people suffering from acid reflux. These foods can cause more acid to enter your esophagus. A diet too rich in fat will cause you to gain weight, which could put your stomach under a lot of pressure. Learn to make good nutritional choices.
If you are a smoker, you must quit! Smoking worsens acid reflux and may actually cause it. It slows down the amount of saliva you produce, increases stomach acid, and slows down digestion. The esophagus becomes weak when you light up too. That’s why you should quit today.
Keep a food journal if you suffer from acid reflux. Most acid reflux sufferers find that certain foods trigger their acid reflux. When you figure out what yours are, you should avoid these foods in the evenings.
Smokers should consider quitting in order to get rid of acid reflux. The nicotine in cigarettes creates acid in the stomach, causing acid reflux. Avoid quitting cold turkey since it could stress your body more and worsen reflux. Take your time when quitting.
Elevate your head above the bed. There are several materials you can use to raise the bed up, including bricks or blocks of wood. Ideally, the head of your bed should be a half a foot higher than the foot. You can stop stomach acid from rising into your esophagus by elevating your chest and head during sleep.
Avoid overly restrictive clothing. This means beware of tight belts, waistbands and pantyhose. Wearing this type of clothing will cause some unnecessary pressure on your stomach. Tight clothes could be responsible for acid reflux. Put on clothing that feels good and doesn’t press down on your stomach.
Eat your food slowly. Try only eating until you’re almost full. Sit down while you eat and take time to actually enjoy your meal. Eating fast or eating when overly stuffed can make your acid reflux symptoms worse. A great way to slow down your eating is to place your fork or spoon down on the table between each and every bite you take.
Weight loss could be beneficial. Too much weight on your stomach can seriously aggravate reflux symptoms. The extra pressure caused by the weight around your middle makes reflux more likely. Just dropping a couple of pounds may provide lots of relief.
Try doing some simple exercises to alleviate your acid reflux. Make sure the exercise is moderate. More vigorous exercises can actually complicate your acid reflux, so you need to do more moderate activities. In addition, moderate exercise keeps your body in an upright position, further aiding in digestion. An additional perk of moderate physical activity is weight loss, which also lowers your risk of heartburn.
A lozenge containing slippery elm may give you some relief. The main ingredient, slippery elm bark, will coat your digestive system with a protective layer. Additionally, slippery elm bark lozenges will help relieve your coughing and soothe your irritated throat. These lozenges are found in many health food stores.
Stay calm. Don’t eat when you’re upset or you will increase your acid build-up. You should do something relaxing after eating. Make sure you aren’t lying down immediately after your meals. Instead, keep yourself upright.
If you have acid reflux, you should engage in moderate exercise. Low-impact exercises will help to relieve your acid reflux. The body will be upright, causing gravity to aid in digestion.
Eat at least three hours before bed. The reason this is helpful is because your stomach is less efficient at processing food when you are unconscious. Eating just before bed can cause you to awaken with heartburn.
Talk to your doctor about surgery if your acid reflux is getting out of control. One important procedure is fundoplication, where the surgeon creates a new valve to reduce the acids that travel back to your esophagus. This serves as a permanent solution which may provide a full cure.
Now you should understand how to control and possibly get rid of your acid reflux. You simply do not want to deal with this affliction. You should remove it as a concern and enjoy your life.