Do you wince when you contemplate having an orange? Do you have gastric problems if you lie down too soon after eating? Some of the most troubling indicators of reflux are burning and discomfort in the chest and throat areas, especially following consumption of fatty or acidic foods. Keep reading for ways to get over the symptoms.
Stress can cause acid reflux. When you’re really stressed out, your stomach acid production increases, which causes reflux. To combat this tendency, you should make every attempt to relax, before, during and after every meal. Watch television, read a book or even meditate to relieve your stress.
Certain foods are notorious triggers for acid reflux. Fried foods, caffeinated beverages, chocolate, and alcohol are some common trigger items. Citrus fruits and other acidic produce are also possible causes. Different people have different triggers, and it will take time to learn which ones affect you. Try avoiding these things to feel better.
Exercising after eating can be a disaster if you’re suffering from acid reflux. This can force acid into your esophagus, which can cause acid reflux. Wait at least two hours before working out.
Some foods may trigger acid reflux. You should avoid fat and greasy foods, tomatoes, chocolate, coffee and alcohol. You should also use caution with foods that are acidic, such as citrus and tomatoes, as they can also trigger acid reflux. Not all foods affect every person the same way, so it may require some trial and error to determine your specific triggers. To be perfectly safe, you can avoid all of these items.
Heart Attack
Sometimes, reflux symptoms can seem very similar to the symptoms of a heart attack. Don’t ever make the mistake of ignoring serious pain in your chest. You very well could be having a heart attack. Talk to a doctor to learn how to handle the situation. Do not take chances when it comes to chest pain. The results can be life threatening.
Try to quit smoking if you are afflicted with acid reflux. Stomach acid levels increase with nicotine consumption. This makes acid reflux worse. But when it is time to quit smoking, do it with some help. Cold turkey puts the body under stress and this can make your acid reflux problems worse. Try to quit slowly.
Elevate the headboard of your bed. Use anything from books to bricks to increase the incline. The head of your bed should be elevated six to eight inches above the foot. If the chest and head are elevated, then you may be able to keep the stomach acid from rising.
If reflux is occurring after strenuous exercise, you might be able to find some easy relief. Increase your water intake. You’ll stay better hydrated this way. You’ll also have an easier time digesting your food properly. You decrease and dilute your stomach acid by increasing your water intake.
Try not to lay down after eating to avoid reflux. Your stomach will have a hard time digesting food in this position. Maintaining an upright position will help you reduce problems that come with acid reflux.
Avoid reclining after eating. Your digestive tract may not function as well in this position. By sitting upright, you can avoid experiencing any acid reflux symptoms.
Slippery Elm
Eat smaller meals, several times a day. Eating just a couple large meals makes it more likely that you will suffer from acid reflux symptoms. When your stomach is too full, it puts some pressure on the area between your stomach and esophagus, which causes it to open up to get relief. This helps the acid in your stomach get into your esophagus. This is why eating small meals is better for you.
If you suffer from acid reflux, you might want to give slippery elm lozenges a try. You coat your digestive tract with a protective layer by sucking on slippery elm bark lozenges. It can make your throat feel better and relieve the cough that often comes with reflux when you suck on the lozenge. You can find them at any health food stores and natural food stores near you.
You should limit your alcohol consumption. Alcohol increases stomach acid production. If you must have alcoholic drinks, limit them to one or two per day, and try to identify a type of drink that doesn’t make your reflux worse.
Since fatty foods are a major cause of acid reflux, try to eat low-fat foods when possible. Eliminate or reduce fried foods, red meats and other unhealthy items. Check out food labels so you can educate yourself on the amount of fat in certain foods.
Are you aware of the fact that the tendency of a type of food to be acidic or alkaline is not connected with the food’s pH level? Foods that seem to be acidic, like lemons, are actually highly alkaline after digestion. If you have acid reflux, you may feel confused by this information. Examine the pH levels of what you are eating if acid reflux is causing you concern.
How much do you know about the effects of alkalinity and acidity on the digestion of your food? Foods that seem acidic, such as lemons, become alkaline after digesting them. This is a bit confusing if you have acid reflux. If you have acid reflux, familiarize yourself with the pH of your food.
Acid reflux should never be self-diagnosed. Any symptoms you experience should be checked out by a doctor. There are many health conditions that mimic acid reflux. Your doctor can determine whether you have acid reflux by running tests.
You should consume less beverages during your meals. When drinking while eating, more stress is being put on the stomach. This extra pressure leads to symptoms of acid reflux. It is best to consume small sips, never gulping during a meal.
If you have acid reflux, then you know how hard it is to eat spaghetti and pizza. Adding sugar to your spaghetti sauce can help lower the acidity. Not only will you be better able to eat it, but the sauce will also become sweeter.
Drink less beverages of any type during meal times. This causes excessive stress on the stomach. This extra pressure leads to symptoms of acid reflux. Take small sips instead of full gulps while eating.
Acid Reflux
Do not lie down less than two hours after every meal in order to avoid acid reflux. That’s because lying down impedes the digestion process, which causes acid reflux. Remaining upright aids in digestion. The window of time to consider is different with each person and also depends on what you eat.
Consult with your doctor regarding surgery for severe acid reflux. A very effective solution for acid reflux is called fundoplication, which entails the creation of a new valve which cuts back on how much acid is able to reach your esophagus. This is permanent, and you can usually totally eliminate your condition.
If acid reflux has become a problem because of pregnancy, try to identify the cause. Something normally innocuous, like drinking water late at night, could cause acid reflux in a pregnant woman. Finding the likely cause helps you determine what to do to get rid of your condition.
Spicy Foods
Don’t eat spicy foods during the day. Examples include peppers, jalapenos, and other types of spices. Spicy foods are a trigger for acid reflux and they cause indigestion too.
Eat little or no spicy foods, especially in the evening. Peppers, jalapenos and salsa should all be avoided. Spicy foods can cause acid reflux and indigestion, resulting in extreme pain.
After reading this article, you should know what to avoid eating. Now you should feel more prepared to fight your acid reflux with confidence. You will not have to worry about acid reflux anymore. Begin making your changes right away to begin enjoying life again.
Don’t eat for three hours or more before bedtime in order to treat your acid reflux. You activate the digestive tract when eating. This activation causes the production of stomach acid. Keep your acid reflux symptoms under control the natural way by not eating right before bed.