Acid Reflux 101: What You Need To Know

Acid reflux causes serious discomfort and pain for those that have to deal with this issue. There are many ways to alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux. The following piece is intended to be a guide on how to survive with this condition.

Try drinking in between meals instead of during them. This will help you manage hunger, as it is likely that you are more thirsty than you are hungry. Your stomach won’t become distended if you drink between meals.

TIP! Maintaining a healthy body weight reduces your acid reflux symptoms. When extra pounds press down on your abdomen, it causes your esophageal sphincter to relax.

Acid reflux symptoms are often aggravated by certain eating habits. Many people eat at a fast pace and eat a lot of food. You will see a detriment to your health if you continue to eat this way knowing that it is going to lead to further problems. It helps to eat slowly. Chew deliberately and put the fork down frequently.

Acid Reflux

If you smoke, it’s time to quit. Smoking aggravates acid reflux, and it is possibly the cause. Smoking slows down digestion and saliva production, both of which worsen reflux. This can cause the esophageal sphincter to weaken. So stop smoking now.

TIP! Sometimes women develop a problem with acid reflux when they become pregnant. As the belly gets crowded by the baby, the acid could be pushed into the esophagus.

Fatty foods are detrimental for anyone who suffers from acid reflux than healthier options. Foods rich in fat relaxes the sphincter between your stomach and esophagus. They also contribute to obesity, and overweight people have a tough time with acid reflux. Eat healthy and stay healthy.

Keep stomach acid in your head up by elevating the top of your mattress with a wedge. You may also use an electronic bed that is raised electronically.

Slippery elm, when ingested as a supplement, can help thicken mucous in your stomach and reduce erosion of the stomach lining. This gives your stomach an internal layer of protection from acid. Two tablespoons mixed with water taken post-meal and at bedtime will be a huge help.

TIP! Refrain from sitting down after you consume a meal. If you recline or lie down, the acid will go up into the esophagus since gravity isn’t moving it down.

Pregnant women sometimes suffer from acid reflux as well. The baby can push acid back into the stomach.You can avoid acid reflux by sticking with low-fat and low-acid foods. You could also enjoy gentle herb teas which help reduce acid but will not harm your baby.

Nicotine causes acid reflux worse since it increases stomach acid.

Place your bed on risers to help with night time acid reflux. Use risers or bricks to increase the incline. The head of your bed should be elevated six to eight inches above the foot. This keeps acid in your stomach where it belongs.

TIP! Make sure your clothes are loose around your waist. Belts, underwear, pantyhose and skinny jeans are some typical culprits.

Avoid clothing that are too restrictive. Tight pantyhose, waistbands, and restrictive waistbands are all suspect. Wearing this kind of clothing causes your abdomen. This can make your acid reflux worse. Wear clothes that do not constrict you and that give your mid-section.

Acid Reflux Symptoms

Consume smaller meals more frequently throughout your day. Eating fewer, larger meals can contribute to your acid reflux symptoms. An overly full stomach puts too much pressure on the muscle that closes the stomach. This can result in excess stomach acid, and it can cause heartburn. Instead, consume smaller meals through the day.

TIP! If you are a pregnant, there is a chance that the weight of the baby is pushing against your stomach and causing your acid reflux to form. If this is your case, meet with your doctor to find out what you can do about this situation.

Losing weight can decrease your acid reflux. Obesity is one major cause of acid reflux symptoms. Losing even one-tenth of your current body weight can reduce acid reflux symptoms greatly. Don’t crash diet to lose weight, though.

Avoid drinking alcohol if you suffer from acid reflux. Alcohol is one cause of acid building up in the stomach, which can hurt your digestive capabilities. If you’re socializing with friends, commit yourself to having just one drink.

Slippery elm lozenge are a good natural remedy to try. These lozenges contain slippery elm bark, which provides a protective layer to your digestive tract. It can also help relieve any coughing reflux may cause. Health food stores are the most likely place to find slippery elm lozenges.

TIP! While a food that tastes acidic seems like it would cause stomach problems, that isn’t necessarily the case. Lemons digest to become highly alkaline, for example.

Certain foods are more likely to trigger acid reflux symptoms. You should try and avoid these types of foods to prevent bouts of acid reflux. Try to avoid coffee, tomatoes, foods that are spicy or hot, tomatoes, beverages that are carbonated, milk, fatty fast food, and greasy fast food.

Try to limit the triggers of stress in your life stemming from school, school or relationship issues. Stress is a major cause of producing too much stomach acid which increases inflammation and heartburn.

If you deal with acid reflux stay away from foods that can trigger the problem. Specific types of foods cause acid reflux. These include fried foods, alcoholic beverages, mint, citrus fruits and spicy foods. Everyone has different triggers, so if some of these items don’t bother you, you can keep enjoying them.

TIP! Don’t self-diagnose. If you think you might have acid reflux disease, see a doctor and find out for sure.

Eating just a couple large meals can make acid reflux symptoms. When your stomach is too full, it puts some pressure on the area between your stomach and esophagus, forcing it open.

Even losing some pounds may create major relief.

Reduce or eliminate spicy dishes from your diet, particularly in the early evening. Mexican food is one to avoid, as it contains a lot of acid reflux causing ingredients. Spicy foods can cause acid reflux and indigestion, resulting in extreme pain.

Acid Reflux

The ability of a food you eat really doesn’t affect the pH level. Lemons and other foods become alkaline once they have been digested. This sounds confusing if you are dealing with acid reflux. Learn more about food pH if acid reflux is an issue.

Caffeinated and carbonated drinks can create acid reflux easily. Coffee, soda and certain teas are rather acidic and can contribute to symptoms. They can also break down your stomach lining causing irritation. Green teas and herbal teas can be very helpful.

TIP! To help prevent having an attack of acid reflux, you must pay strict attention to the liquids you are drinking and how much of it you consume. Some examples of common acid reflux inducing beverages include coffee, tea, caffeinated soft drinks, carbonated beverages and alcohol.

Clearly acid reflux interferes with the activities of daily living tremendously. When you suffer from acid reflux, knowledge is your best weapon for defeating it. Apply what you’ve just learned, and improve your life.