Acid reflux sufferers know the pain and frustration associated with this issue. There are many things you can do to ease your suffering. Keep reading to learn more.
If you’re suffering from acid reflux while sleeping, try putting a wedge below your mattress. It raises up your head, keeping symptoms from increasing. Essentially any object can be used to prop up the mattress. There are beds which are electronically controlled which you can use as well.
Do not eat dinner within the three hours prior to going to sleep. Standing upright keeps stomach acid and food in your stomach where it belongs. Laying down could cause acid to come back up. This is why it’s best to stop eating several hours before bedtime.
Instead of drinking with your food, drink between meals. Doing so allows you to cope with pangs of hunger by sating your thirst. Also, acid is less likely to come up via the esophagus when you do not drink during meals.
Sometimes women develop a problem with acid reflux when they become pregnant. As the baby grows, it begins to crowd the stomach, pushing acid back up the esophagus. You can control symptoms greatly by consuming only foods that are low in acid and low in fat. When you still have acid reflux, try a soothing tea like chamomile.
If you maintain a healthy weight, you are less likely to suffer from acid reflux. When extra pounds press down on your abdomen, it causes your esophageal sphincter to relax. You will need your sphincter to become tight if you want to prevent the acid from coming up; losing weight will help.
It pays to remain in an upright position for at least two hours following a meal. Lying down can force acid back up into your esophagus. You should feel better, and reduce symptoms, by sitting or standing.
You can reduce symptoms of acid reflux by losing weight. One of the main causes of acid reflux is obesity. Losing even one-tenth of body weight can reduce acid reflux. Losing weight is best when consuming smaller amounts of food, not by a crash diet.
Don’t exercise vigorously after eating as this could cause terrible acid reflux problems. Food that is in your stomach can be forced up into your esophagus when your lower abdominal muscles contract while exercising. Wait at least two hours before working out.
Think about the things that stress you out and limit them as much as you can. Heartburn and inflammation can be started or exacerbated by stress. Identify the root of your anxiety and take steps to remove it from your daily life as soon as possible.
Learn about the pH of food. Lemons, while acidic foods, are alkaline once digestion takes place. This can cause issues if you are dealing with acid reflux. However, by learning about your food’s natural pH, you can help alleviate acid reflux.
You should eat as slowly as you can. Stop eating before you feel stuffed. Sit and take the time to chew and taste the meal. Eating fast or eating when overly stuffed can make your acid reflux symptoms worse. A good tip to slow the process of eating too fast is to place your fork on the table after each bite.
Acid Reflux
Cinnamon gum chewed after you eat can be a huge relief. Chewing causes saliva to be produced, neutralizing acid. Chewing your gum also causes you to swallow more. This will help keep your stomach acid where it should be.
Elm lozenges are a good treatment against acid reflux. The main ingredient, slippery elm bark, will coat your digestive system with a protective layer. This type of lozenge soothes the throat and relieves hoarseness and coughing that often accompany acid reflux. These lozenges can be found in many health food stores.
Lose weight if you’re heavy. Extra weight, particularly around the middle, can negatively affect acid reflux. It pushes acid up your esophagus. As more acid comes up, the lining of your esophagus will deteriorate. Therefore, try to reduce your weight as much as you can.
Don’t drink too much water or any other beverage while eating. Drinking while eating just adds more stress to your stomach. This excess stress and pressure make reflux happen. Instead only take tiny sips of water during the meal, and save drinking full glasses until between meals.
Were you already aware that food with acid and alkaline are unrelated to a food’s pH level? Certain foods like lemons actually are alkaline post-digestion. This can really confuse you. If you have acid reflux, familiarize yourself with the pH of your food.
If acid reflux is giving you grief, you may benefit from moderate physical activity. Choose low-impact exercise, such as walking and water aerobics, to help get your acid reflux symptoms under control. Your body is in an upright position and gravity will help aid digestion and keep your food in your stomach where it belongs.
Allow at least 3 hours from your last meal before bedtime. Your body has a harder time trying to process food in a sleep state. When you wake up, you’ll have a bad case of heartburn.
Be sure and finish your last meal at least 3 hours before you go to sleep. It is important to allow this time because sleep slows down the digestion process. Eating just before calling it a day improves your chances of getting up in the middle of the night with heartburn.
Extra Weight
Shed some weight if you have some extra pounds to spare. Being overweight can really contribute to your acid reflux symptoms. Excess weight can compress the stomach, resulting in acid reflux. Losing a little bit of weight can really help to give you some much needed relief.
If you’re carrying extra weight, make an effort to lose it. That weight could be responsible for your acid reflux. That extra weight can put additional pressure on your belly and cause even more problems with digestion and reflux. Therefore, lose some weight, even just a few pounds, in order to relieve your acid reflux.
Avoid large meals before bedtime each night. Try avoiding foods around three hours prior to slumber. You could wake up with heartburn if you do this.
Stay in a vertical position for no less than two hours following eating to avoid a reflux attack. Use gravity to your advantage to help alleviate your acid reflux. The food you eat, and the efficiency of your own internal digestive process, will impact the length of time you should wait before reclining.
Do not smoke. Acid reflux can be improved by giving up smoking. Smoking increases stomach acid production and slows down digestion. Smoking will also decrease saliva production, further hindering digestion. If you can’t quit smoking, at least avoid smoking for two hours after you eat.
You should not drink while you eat. Beverages are absorbed into your food causing your stomach to be overly full. A full stomach puts too much pressure on your esophagus. This muscle holds food in your stomach, which is where it should be.
You can reduce acid reflux by not drinking during your meals. This will only add weight to your stomach, increasing your chance for acid reflux. This adds pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, which increases the chances of getting reflux. Therefore, try to drink before and after meals in order to reduce acid reflux.
Acid reflux irritates your esophagus and disrupts your life. Fortunately, it is not necessary to suffer silently, since there are good solutions to address the condition. Use the information presented here to benefit yourself or a loved one who needs help.