Does your throat hurt after you eat? Do you have a chronic cough? Are you nauseated after you eat? Do you salivate heavily? Is it hard to swallow sometimes? Do you have chest pain? These symptoms of acid reflux can make your life hell, but can be treated with the below advice.

If you suffer from acid reflux symptoms at night time, you may need to change the way you sleep. You should be laying on your back, with the upper half of your body propped up by a few pillows. When you lay flat, whether on your back, stomach or side, you are allowing acid to come up through the esophagus.

There are some foods which people who suffer from acid reflux must avoid. These include high-fat foods, alcohol, drinks with caffeine, anything with mint in it, chocolate, citrus, anything with tomato in it, foods with spices in them, peppers, garlic, carbonated drinks and onions. You may find your acid reflux flares with many other foods as well, so make a list.

If you suffer with acid reflux, understand how gravity can work in your favor. Sitting upright will help keep food and fluids down after meals, so keep yourself straight. Avoid lying down or even slightly reclining in your favorite chair as this will exacerbate reflux symptoms quickly. Try going for a short and healthy walk instead!

Contracting the abdominal muscles can make food that is in your stomach to make its way back into the esophagus. This is why you need to wait until at least one hour after eating before you attempt to do any physical exercise. You should also avoid any other types of physical exertion directly after meals.

There is a drug called phenylalanine and it is found inside of most over-the-counter antacids. If you have acid reflux and you also have mental retardation and/or seizures, you should not take them. This is because the phenylalanine will make you more prone to having seizures. Talk to your doctor about other options.

Wear clothes that are loose-fitting and comfortable. If you wear clothes that are too constricting and tight, they will put added pressure around your abdomen and your lower esophageal sphincter. When your abdomen area is free from any added stress, it can do its job much better and tight fitting clothes do not allow this.

Drink less alcohol if you are dealing with acid reflux. Alcohol is a prime cause of increased stomach acid production. Reduce your consumption of alcohol and try finding an alcohol that will not cause your stomach to produce acid.

Have an early dinner. Eating too close to bedtime is a prime cause of acid reflux. If your stomach is still digesting your dinner when you retire, the combination of increased stomach activity and a horizontal position is a recipe for disaster. Try to eat dinner a minimum of three hours before bed.

Do not wear tight clothing around your midsection. This added pressure can worsen your acid reflux symptoms. Instead, wear comfortable, loose clothing to prevent this added pressure on your stomach. If you are the type of person who enjoys skinny jeans, you really should wait until your acid reflux is under control before wearing them again.

Don’t rush your eating. When you eat to fast, you can trigger acid reflux. Instead really take time to enjoy your meal as much as you can. Put your fork down every so often and let your body digest throughout the sitting. Don’t eat to being overly full. You’ll be much less likely to have issues.

Eat your meals slow, taking the time to completely chew your food. Relax and enjoy your food. Stop eating when you are satisfied rather than when you feel stuffed.

Boost the head of your bed. This tilts your head upwards and ensures your esophagus is never on the same parallel as your stomach. Imagine lying a full glass of water down on a table – the contents will pour out. The same happens to your stomach when you lay flat.

If you are big into exercising, be moderate about your high-impact exercises. Major exertion in these hardcore fitness regimens can actually make your acid reflux worse. Instead, mix it up and get some time with more moderate fitness routines. A great choice is a long walk at a medium speed.

Cinnamon gum is a great way of reducing your acid reflux after a meal. Chewing gum will cause you to produce more saliva, which means your stomach will have more acid to digest your food. Avoid minty flavors that are too acid for your stomach if it is already sensitive.

The pain in your chest and throat can be dealt with one step at a time now that you have read this article and know what those steps are. The first move to make is to take one tip and use it in your life, then relief will come shortly afterward. Get down to work!