Do you or a loved one have problems with acid reflux? If so, you’re aware of how much it can hurt. Having your insides burn due to conditions in your body is no picnic. Using the following tips, you can get some relief.
You should consume your last meal of the day more than three hours prior to going to bed. When you are upright, any food in your stomach and the gastric acid settles down in your stomach. If you lie down, your stomach acids can rise into your esophagus. Thus, you need to delay going to bed.
Avoid drinking during your meals. This can really help with hunger pain, since you’re likely to find yourself thirsty. Further, if you drink in between meals, you will likely see that the stomach will become far less distended at mealtime, and acids will not travel back into the esophagus.
Keep stomach acid in your stomach by elevating the top of your mattress with a wedge. If you do not have a wedge, place a block of wood or a few books under your mattress to raise your head. You can also get a bed that is raised electronically.
Acid reflux symptoms are often worse when eating habits are poor. Eating quickly or too much are major factors. You will see a detriment to your health if you continue to eat this way with acid reflux. Just eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed. It is also important to eat slowly. Chew food carefully and lay down your fork every couple bites.
Acid reflux disease can be aggravated by stress. Stress produces more acid inside your stomach. Relax after eating. Do some meditation, yoga or deep breathing exercises.
Slippery Elm
You must watch the type of foods you eat when it comes to your acid reflux. All acid reflux sufferers have specific foods that trigger their acid reflux. When you have identified your triggers, you can avoid them effectively.
Slippery elm has proven effective in thickening the mucosal lining of your stomach. This lining forms a protective barrier against acid. To obtain the maximum relief, many people mix one or two tablespoons of slippery elm into their glass of water right before bed.
Chew some cinnamon gum after each meal. Chewing promotes saliva production. Saliva helps neutralize the acids in the stomach. Also, people swallow much more often when they are chewing gum, and this will clear out any acid that is in the esophagus. Fruit gum is okay if it isn’t based on citrus. Mint gums are not a good idea, as they cause the sphincter of the esophagus to relax, making matters worse.
Smokers should consider quitting in order to get rid of acid reflux. Nicotine helps increase stomach acid production, which makes your acid reflux worse. Avoid quitting cold turkey, as the added stress could actually intensify the problems with reflux. Try to quit slowly.
Heart Attack
The feeling of a heart attack can be mimicked by severe reflux pain. If you are suffering from serious chest pain, don’t ignore it. You very well could be having a heart attack. Call your doctor immediately to find out what to do. Don’t let yourself die in denial!
After meals, consider a stick of cinnamon gum. Chewing facilitates the production of saliva. The acid in your stomach can be neutralized by your saliva. People tend to swallow more when chewing gum, so any acid that’s in the esophagus can be cleared away. If not cinnamon gum, fruit flavors work as well. You should not chew on mint gum because mint causes your esophageal sphincter to relax, worsening your acid reflux.
Avoid clothing that is too restrictive. Pantyhose, waistbands, tight belts, and skinny jeans are common culprits. Wearing clothes that are too tight can put a lot of pressure on your abdomen. This leads to acid reflux. Wear comfortable clothes that allow expansion for your stomach.
Don’t lie down after eating. Laying down can cause your digestive tract to have problems working effectively. If you stay upright, the problems resulting from acid reflux can be avoided.
In some instances, acid reflux attacks can feel like a heart attack. You should not be ignoring chest pains at any time. It is a symptom of a potential heart attack. Seek medical advice as soon as possible. Never risk complications or death by misdiagnosing yourself.
The next time acid reflux flares up, you’ll know exactly what to do. In past times, you had to put up with the symptoms and pain. Now you realize it is something that you can control. Once equipped with this information, you can finally defeat acid reflux.