Acid reflux can be one of the most unpleasant of health conditions. Nothing feels worse than that terrible sensation of indigestion. You may have tried many different remedies, only to discover that none of them were truly effective. Help is on the way! The following tips will give you quick relief when you need it most.

Try drinking in between meals instead of during them. Doing this also combats feelings of hunger, since you’re probably thirsty rather than hungry. When you drink with your meals it can cause your stomach to feel fuller, causing more acid to reach your esophagus.

The most significant factor attributed with acid reflux is being overweight. Those who are obese are two times more likely to have GERD than someone who is at a healthy weight. The pressure on your stomach of all the extra pounds can cause the esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing acid to give you trouble.

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.

You are much less likely to have acid reflux if you are at your ideal weight. If you are overweight, your sphincter will allow acid into your esophagus. You will need your sphincter to become tight if you want to prevent the acid from coming up; losing weight will help.

It is important to avoid vigorous exercise if you deal with GERD. When you are compressing the stomach violently, you’ll find that acid makes its way up into your esophagus. Instead, engage in moderate activity which helps you lose weight, stay in shape and yet ensures that acid stays where it belongs.

Fatty foods no more! Fried chicken, pizza, chicken wings and potato chips are the enemy of the GERD sufferer. These foods cause your sphincter to relax, allowing the contents of your stomach, acid and all, to rise back up into your esophagus. Go for meals full of vegetables and lean protein instead.

Stress can cause your muscles to contract, and when this happens to your stomach, acid will be pushed upwards. Try some relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga or meditation to reduce your stress and help you deal with situations which can be emotionally tumultuous. When you master these techniques, acid reflux may be reduced.

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.

Avoid eating large quantities of food that contain a lot of acid. This may cause you to experience heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms. These foods include grapefruit, vinegar, lemons and tomatoes. If you are going to eat these foods, make sure that you are very mindful of the portion size.

If you have been taking antacids over an extended period of time, chances are you have acid reflux. While it will not hurt you to take tums every now and then, continuing to take them when the problem may be more serious is a mistake. Go see a doctor if you have had symptoms for quite some time.

Try to keep yourself elevated when going to bed. Sometimes it could be enough to just add a pillow or two to help you. However, sometimes you may need to have pillows or cushions set up to help you sleep in a sitting position. You might also want to consider sleeping in a recliner on some of your bad days.

You should always take your time to eat slowly. Enjoy your food and find a peaceful and quiet environment where you can eat. If you feel stressed, take a few minutes to relax before beginning to eat your food. Digestion will be much easier if you are relaxed and take your time.

If you are overweight, try shedding some pounds. Being overweight can increase the severity of your acid reflux. This occurs because excess body fat can increase the pressure in your stomach and cause your lower esophageal sphincter muscle to relax, which causes food to come up. Lose weight and watch your acid reflux improve.

Now that you have read this article, you should be aware of how you can find long-lasting relief from your acid reflux. Even if you have tried other treatments in the past without finding relief, something from this article is likely to help you. Keep trying until you find the relief you crave!