If you suffer from acid reflux, you are one in literally tens of millions in this country. Acid reflux affect most adults at one point or another. Instead of just suffering through the pain, take the steps necessary to prevent these symptoms from occurring in the first place. The article below will show you how.

Don’t just assume your acid reflux is a fact of life or consequence of your active lifestyle. If you find yourself suffering through frequent bouts of discomfort related to acid reflux, see your doctor. It may be something you ate or an indication that you need to slow down in life, but it could also be something else you need to take care of.

If your weight and BMI are considered normal, you are less vulnerable to GERD. This condition occurs when fat weighs down on the stomach. When weight loss occurs, the sphincter will return to a closed position and the acid will stay put.

Those who are overweight have a higher chance of getting acid reflux than others. This is due to stomach pressure. The excess weight of an overweight person adds more pressure to the stomach, relaxing the muscles of the lower sphincter of the esophagus, creating acid reflux. Fat in the body can also interrupt normal digestion. A little weight loss can go a long way in preventing acid reflux.

Skinny jeans are the enemy of the acid reflux sufferer! Wearing tight clothes can block up your digestive system, causing you a great deal of pain when acid begins to back up. Go for elastic waistbands until you have your acid reflux under control, then you can consider getting back into your tight fitting pants.

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.

To help avoid acid reflux, take your time and chew your food slowly. This technique helps you to avoid overeating. When you overeat, food is pressed in the top of your stomach; thus, it allows stomach acids to build up in you esophagus. For best results, eat small meals often.

When your symptoms are at their worst, mix 1 teaspoon of regular baking soda with eight ounces of water. Drink this slowly, one sip at a time, until your symptoms subside. Do NOT do this every day as baking soda contains a great deal of sodium which can lead to a myriad of other health problems.

People who suffer from acid reflux should try to consume foods that are high in calcium, cesium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. These minerals are alkaline and will help reduce the acidity in your stomach. The lower the levels of acid in your stomach, the less you will suffer from acid reflux.

Try and do some sort of activity in which you are upright, like walking. Doing this can really help to ease your acid reflux in a few different ways. Digestion is also improved significantly. Moderate exercise can also help you to lose weight and reduce symptoms. Light to moderate exercise helps acid reflux. Extreme exercise can make it worse.

Consume smaller meals more frequently throughout your day. Eating fewer, larger meals can contribute to your acid reflux symptoms. A very full stomach will open up because the sphincter, located between your stomach and esophagus, has too much pressure on it. Heartburn is caused when the stomach acid comes back to your esophagus. Rather than eating a few large meals, eat smaller meals more often.

Try to wait until between mealtimes to have drinks. If your stomach has too many contents, constant pressure is caused in your lower esophageal sphincter. If your stomach is too full, the acid will reach the esophagus and damage the lining of your digestive track.

Limit your intake of spicy foods, particularly later in the day. Jalapenos, peppers, and Mexican foods are some examples. Eating spicy food may trigger acid reflux attacks, and it also dries the skin and causes indigestion.

Avoid constricting clothes if you suffer from heartburn. You can suffer heartburn problems wearing clothes that fit too tight. These clothes can put pressure on your abdominal area and stomach, pushing acids up to your throat, leading to uncomfortable heartburn. Your clothes should be comfortable and loose, and avoid tightening your belt excessively.

As was mentioned at earlier in this article, millions of Americans have the unfortunate experience of having to deal with acid reflux. If you are one of them, make sure that you implement the tips mentioned above. Not only will you alleviate your symptoms now, but you’ll prevent them from occurring int he future.