Acid reflux is a frustrating condition that impacts the lives of many. The best way to manage the symptoms of acid reflux and lessen the pain that often results is to study as much as possible about the topic. The information that follows below is intended to provide you with a strong knowledge based from which to work.

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.

If you are experiencing acid reflux issues and you do not have an antacid on hand, you can use baking soda to alleviate the problem. One spoon of baking soda mixed with a cup of water is a simple and inexpensive antacid. You will start to feel relief within a few minutes of taking it.

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.

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.

It is possible for you to choke in your sleep. This happens when stomach acid makes its way up into your throat. If you experience a bitter taste in your mouth, you may need acid suppressing medicine. Speak with your doctor about the problems to get the best advice on how to proceed.

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.

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.

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.

Consume smaller meals to help control your acid reflux problems. When you over stuff yourself during a meal, it can often lead to uncomfortable digestive upset, including acid reflux. Instead, consider eating several small meals a day, and always stop eating as soon as you begin to feel satisfied.

You should drink between your meals rather than during them. The muscle of your lower esophageal sphincter relaxes under the pressure when liquids are added to the food in the stomach. This makes acid and food come back into the esophagus via the stomach.

Don’t self-diagnose your acid reflux. Discomfort and regurgitation are serious symptoms and should be presented to a physician. It might be other afflictions like an ulcer, or even a heart problem. Your doctor can verify if you do have acid reflux.

Eat smaller portions throughout the day instead of larger meals. A big meal takes longer for your body to digest it and usually puts added pressure on your stomach, causing not only irritation, but damage, too. Instead of eating three large meals, break them up into five or six smaller ones.

If you notice your acid reflux worsening, you may want to speak with a physician about having surgery. Fundoplication can create a new valve which functions correctly. This procedure is a tool used to permanently get rid of acid reflux.

If you suffer from acid reflux you should ask your doctor if you would benefit from having an endoscopy. Diseases such as Barrett’s Esophagus often times go hand-in-hand with acid reflux, and an endoscopy is the only way to really see what is going on. Being proactive with your health can save you from bigger problems down the road.

The pain and suffering caused by acid reflux cannot be overstated. In order to get a good handle on the condition and keep symptoms and pain to a minimum, it is necessary to learn everything you can about it. Review the above material as often as necessary in order to get your condition well in hand.