People who have acid reflux really do suffer. It doesn’t really matter what caused their pain, the first step is always education. Start out by reading this article which presents some basic information about how you can get control of acid reflux with some basic lifestyle changes.
Be sure to eat supper three hours before going to bed. The acid in your stomach stays put when you stand or sit upright. Laying down can cause both to rise again. That is why you should wait a few hours prior to sleeping.
Keep track of the foods that might be causing your acid reflux. People that suffer from acid reflux must identify their trigger foods. Once you’ve identified your trigger foods, you can avoid them and start to feel better.
Acid reflux symptoms can be aggravated by vigorous exercise after meals. This can force acid into your esophagus, which can cause acid reflux. Wait at least one to two hours after a meal before exercising.
Take your time while eating. Rather than consuming a ton of food at once, simply eat until you feel comfortable. Savor your meal and chew slowly. Eating fast or eating when overly stuffed can make your acid reflux symptoms worse. You can slow everything down by laying down your fork after each bite.
Try using slippery elm lozenges for your acid reflux. The main ingredient, slippery elm bark, will coat your digestive system with a protective layer. In lozenge form, it will also relieve the coughing that often accompanies a bout of reflux and will soothe an irritated throat. Health food stores generally carry this product.
Refrain from consuming alcohol if you want to get rid of your acid reflux pain. Alcohol can cause your stomach to produce more acid than needed. If you must drink, have a lot of water to dilute the alcohol.
When dealing with acid reflux, you need to make sure you watch out for trigger foods. Some foods have been shown to be linked to acid reflux. These include fried and fatty foods, mint flavored items, tomatoes, spicy foods, carbonated drinks, onions, garlic, caffeine, and citrus. 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.
High fat foods should be avoided. This includes read meat and fried foods. If you can cut them out altogether, reduce the quantities you eat. You can find the fat content of foods by reading the labels. Label reading is a developed skill and easy once you learn the basics.
The tendency of a particular food to form acid when digested has little correlation with the initial pH of that food. Lemons and other foods that appear to be acidic are high in alkaline when digested. For those who have acid reflux, this can cause some confusion. However, if you have acid reflux, you need to educate yourself on food pH.
Relax as much as you can. Eating when you are stressed out causes excessive heartburn and stomach acid. As soon as you finish eating, perform relaxation exercises, such as meditation, yoga, or deep-breathing exercises. Don’t lay down after a meal.
Your acid reflux will benefit from you attending to regular exercise. A low-impact fitness routine, such as one with walking and aerobics, is highly effective. Being upright will allow gravity to aid in digestion and keep food in it’s proper place.
You should not self-diagnose with the acid reflux. If you believe you may have this condition due to symptoms, such as stomach discomfort and regurgitation, then you should talk to your doctor. There are numerous other diseases that have the same or similar symptoms. Your physician can give you some tests to determine whether you have acid reflux.
You should not eat within the few hours before you hit the sack. It is important to allow this time because sleep slows down the digestion process. When you wake up, you’ll have a bad case of heartburn.
You need to cut down on spicy foods, especially at dinner time. These include jalapenos, peppers, and many Mexican dishes. Spicy foods can cause acid reflux and indigestion, resulting in extreme pain.
If you want to avoid the symptoms of acid reflux, you should be mindful of the type and amount of beverages you consume. Carbonated, alcoholic or caffeinated beverages are known to increase the problems associated with acid reflux. Try to drink a lot of water to help with your condition.
Do not eat peppermint or spearmint flavored gum after eating if you do not want acid reflux to occur. Flavors such as peppermint or spearmint can relax your esophageal sphincter and cause acid reflux. Cinnamon or non-citrus fruit flavors are better choices. Gum chewing boosts saliva production, clears the esophagus through swallowing and can lead to acid reduction.
Whatever the reason for your decision, you are now better prepared to battle your acid reflex. The time is now to make changes. Therefore, begin utilizing the excellent advice provided in this article, and you can relieve your acid reflux.