Do you get queasy just thinking about eating citrus fruit? Does going to bed usually mean experiencing acid reflux? Acid reflux symptoms include discomfort and pain after consuming high-acid and high-fat foods. You may have this. Keep reading to learn how to get rid of symptoms for good.
If you have been having any acid reflux symptoms over an extended period of time, make sure that you go in to be seen by a doctor. You may think that this condition is not that serious, but if it is not treated it can lead to more serious health issues, including ulcers and gastritis.
Don’t drink alcohol if you are trying to treat symptoms of acid reflux. The effects of alcohol actually work to relax the muscles in your esophagus, which worsens reflux. Consider what you are eating, how you are eating and if you’ve got too much stress in your life as possible reasons for frequent acid reflux and change them before reaching for your next drink.
Sometimes, there is nothing that can be done to prevent acid reflux disease. This is why you need to learn of what you can do when an attack occurs. Try drinking cold milk or eating some cracker or bread. These remedies help by reducing the amount of acid that comes up through the esophagus.
A great way to minimize your acid reflux at night is to eat your largest meal of the day at lunch. You want as much of your food to be digested prior to lying down for the night. Rearrange your eating habits to include a big lunch and very small dinner.
You might realize that a very active lifestyle could be part of the problem. Increase your water intake. Water helps with hydration. It will also help ensure your food digests properly. You decrease and dilute your stomach acid by increasing your water intake.
An ideal weight helps you avoid acid reflux, so plan on losing any extra pounds. The most common situation leading to acid reflux is being overweight. Losing around 10% of your current body weight can lessen your acid reflux symptoms greatly. Do not crash diet; eat smaller meals to lose weight.
If you suffer from acid reflux should try to limit the amount of beverages that you consume with your meals. The liquid will increase stomach distension and will add volume to your food. This puts more pressure on your esophagus. When there is more pressure on your esophagus, it is harder to keep your food down.
Watch out for foods that trigger your acid reflux. For most people, these include fried and fatty foods, caffeinated and/or carbonated beverages, citrus juices, spicy foods, etc. There may be other foods and drinks that cause your acid reflux, so just be mindful of what you are eating. If you notice that a particular food or drink is worsening your acid reflux, stop consuming it.
Avoid Certain Foods. Some foods are more likely to trigger acid reflux than others. These include caffeine, spicy food, alcohol, tomatoes, chocolate, and any foods that are acidic in nature. If you frequently suffer from acid reflux, consider eliminating these foods from your diet, or at least try not to eat them in the hours before you go to bed.
Alter your activity after meals. If you suffer from frequent bouts of acid reflux, watch your activity after meals. Avoid clothing that is tight around the middle, and try not to bend over or do any heavy lifting. All of these things can help keep your stomach acid where it belongs.
Learn to manage the stress in your life if you’ve been experiencing frequent symptoms of acid reflux. A nervous stomach will certainly exacerbate your problem and make diagnosing the real causes difficult. Eat in a calm environment and savor each bite. Forget about the stress in your life at least during the meal; it’s better for your mind and body.
Learn stress coping techniques. Being stressed out can cause you to tense up your body and this causes you to contract some, or all, of your stomach muscles, causing acid reflux symptoms. Learn how to better handle stressful situations and you’ll find out you may have much less stomach troubles.
Stop smoking to help with your reflux symptoms. Smoking can increase your chances of developing GERD too. It slows down digestion, boots stomach acid, and reduces the production of saliva. Without a higher production of saliva, you don’t have a great defense against the stomach acid. It also harms the esophagus, weakens your LES muscle and weakens your whole digestive system, which can contribute to acid reflux.
Now you know more of what you should eat or not eat. You even know what kinds of changes that must be made in order to calm down the symptoms. You now see how you can live your life fully without pain. Start today, and have a better tomorrow.
