Acid reflux is a condition that affects countless individuals and causes everything from minor irritation to debilitating pain. The key to managing the condition successfully is knowledge. Read the information that follows below, and you will be prepared to deal with the symptoms of acid reflux and live the pain-free life you deserve.

To stop acid reflux disease, increase your intake of Vitamin D. This vitamin increases peptide production, which destroys the production of acid in the stomach. Your body gets Vitamin D from the sun. If you do not get enough sun exposure, you can always take Vitamin D in pill form.

Eat your last meal of the day many hours before you go to bed. Standing upright keeps stomach acid and food in your stomach where it belongs. If you lay on your back, the acid will come back up through your esophagus. So you should remain active and upright for a couple of hours before you hit the sack at night.

Try to avoid drinking anything while you eat. When you drink, your stomach fills up and expands, which can cause distension. This puts pressure on the sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus, sometimes causing food to pass back up through it. When this happens, acid reflux has begun, as will your suffering.

When you are done eating a meal, prevent acid reflux by chewing on some gum. More saliva is produced when you chew some gum. The more saliva that is produced during digestion, the less acid is produced, in turn, preventing acid reflux from occurring. Ideally, you should chew on sugar-free gum.

Stop smoking if you are trying to rid yourself of issues with acid reflux. Many people do not know this, but smoking causes the muscles in the esophagus to relax. This can create some of the symptoms associated with acid reflux, so quit if you are trying to make things better.

It is a good idea to raise the head of your bed if you have been experiencing acid reflux issues frequently. When you are lying flat, it gives the stomach contents an easier way of refluxing. You should raise the mattress about 6-8 inches in order to get the best results.

Don’t exercise vigorously after eating as this could cause terrible acid reflux problems. Too much activity will cause your recently consumed food to move up to your esophagus. Therefore, it is important to refrain from exercising for two hours after a meal.

If you have been experiencing symptoms of acid reflux, try to cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink. Having some drinks tends to relax the muscles in the stomach. When this happens, people start to experience worsening of these symptoms. If you must have a drink, make sure to limit yourself to one or two drinks.

There are certain foods that trigger acid reflux. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to avoid these if possible. One example is chocolate. While dark chocolate doesn’t appear to be as bad as high-fat milk chocolate, they both contain caffeine and cocoa, which are both known to cause acid reflux.

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.

If you have acid reflux and you are overweight, shed some pounds. Obesity can be a common contributor to acid reflux. Even just losing a very small percentage of weight can make dramatic improvements in your acid reflux symptoms. Don’t engage in fad diets. Instead, control your weight by eating small and sensible meals several times daily.

If over the counter medicine isn’t giving you acid reflux relief, try pineapple for a more natural solution. Pineapple contains bromelain, which has been shown to lessen acid reflux symptoms. Bromelain is only present in fresh pineapple or fresh pineapple juice, however. Canned pineapple and store bought juices will not contain bromelain.

Try to eat smaller meals if you suffer from acid reflux. Sitting and eating large meals can contribute to the pain associated with acid reflux. Eating smaller meals will reduce the amount of acid your stomach has to produce to digest your food. This means that your stomach will work less and you will not have as much pain.

There is no denying the potential of acid reflux to complicate the lives of those who suffer from it. However, with a bit of good information and insight, it is possible to handle the condition skillfully in a way that enables to you lead a normal life. With any luck, this article has provided you with just that.