When you are suffering with acid reflux, it may seem like there is no help in sight. Thankfully, there are answers to your problems, and they can be found within this article. Many tips and tricks for placating your suffering are available below, so read on to find out more.
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.
You reduce your chances of experiencing GERD if you maintain a normal weight. When extra pounds press down on your abdomen, it causes your esophageal sphincter to relax. Not only will you feel healthier as you lose weight, you will be less likely to suffer from acid reflux symptoms.
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.
High fat foods may be tasty, but that can be troublesome for anyone who suffers from acid reflux. Foods that are high in fat cause the sphincter of the lower portion of the esophagus to become relaxed and increase the time it takes for the stomach to empty. Both of these conditions make it possible for acid reflux to occur. Eat a healthy balanced diet of vegetables, fiber, grains, and lean protein.
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.
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.
Keep a journal. If you can track when and what you are doing when you have an acid attack, you might be able to alter your life to eliminate those attacks. Write down what you eat, what you have done that day and if you have had any discomforts. You may be surprised at what you find and how easy it is to eliminate some of your problems.
What you drink will affect your acid reflux just as much as what you eat. Anything with caffeine should be avoided. In addition, carbonated beverages will cause you to have issues, as will alcohol. Be mindful of what you consume, and try to stick with water whenever possible if you want to be on the safe side.
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.
When you complete your meal, do not lie down on your back or stomach. This position uses gravity to build up acid in your stomach, which is one of the main reasons why you get acid reflux and heartburn. Walk around your home or do the dishes after you eat to prevent this from happening.
Avoid eating fatty foods such as french fries, pizza and other fried foods. Fatty foods relax the stomach muscles allowing acids to rise into the esophagus resulting in increase acid reflux. Instead of fatty foods, opt for lean proteins such as baked chicken breasts along with fruits and vegetables.
If you are overweight, your recurring acid reflux problem could be caused by your extra pounds. Focus on losing some weight in your midsection to reduce the pressure on your stomach and make digestion easier. You can easily get in shape by doing some abs and adopting a healthier diet.
Try a spoonful of honey. While there is no hard evidence that honey treats acid reflux, it is very useful to soothe and relieve the painful burning associated with it. Honey will coat your esophagus in a protective and soothing layer, and help neutralize some of the acid. If you are looking for some relief until you can identify and treat the cause of your heartburn, a little honey can be just what you need to get back to sleep.
With all of this great information at hand, you should be ready to tackle your acid reflux. This means taking control of your life and telling the acid to stay where it belongs. Start today and look forward to a happier, healthier future thanks to putting your condition to rest.
