Acid reflux can keep you up all night and leave you in pain all day. Finding relief from the discomfort is the only thing on your mind when you are suffering from heartburn. Follow the advice below when you are suffering from acid reflux to find relief and get on with your day.
Acid reflux can be caused by a number of different things, not just the types of food you are eating. Look into your lifestyle too and see if you’re not pushing yourself too hard, under excessive stress or otherwise need to take better care of yourself. Learn to relax, improve your diet and see if that doesn’t help.
Opt for lean meats and food that does not have a lot of fat in it. If you indulge in greasy foods, like French fries, you are more likely to suffer from acid reflux. Try tracking your food for a week and seeing what triggers your heartburn. Adjust your diet accordingly.
Try to limit the fatty foods that you eat during the day. These foods can cause more acid to enter your esophagus. They also promote weight gain, which can exacerbate acid reflux. You will be healthier when you eat healthier.
Many people like to lie down and relax after eating a big meal. This is bad for the digestive system and can lead to acid reflux. Instead, try walking around or standing to give the food a chance to digest. Wat at least two hours after eating to lie down. Also, elevate your body while sleeping.
If you plan to exercise rigorously, drink lots of water while you work out. This not only hydrates you; it helps to aid in digestion. It also washes acid down and out of your esophagus, keeping it in your stomach where it belongs. If this still doesn’t help, talk to your doctor about medications.
If you have excess fat in the abdominal area, it can cause you to experience acid reflux. This is because there is extra pressure in the abdominal area. The best way for you to reduce these symptoms would be for you to try to get some of the excess weight off.
Use an additional pillow to support your head. You can do this by putting a brick under the headboard. You can also prop your head up with pillows. The head of the bed should be approximately six inches higher. This will naturally keep the acids and foods in your stomach when you sleep through the night.
There is a drug called phenylalanine and it is found inside of most over-the-counter antacids. If you have acid reflux and you also have mental retardation and/or seizures, you should not take them. This is because the phenylalanine will make you more prone to having seizures. Talk to your doctor about other options.
While eating your meals, limit your beverage consumption. Although this may sound silly, drinking lots of beverages during your meals can actually cause acid reflux. This is because liquids increase the volume of food in your stomach. When your stomach is full, the lower esophageal sphincter has more pressure placed upon it. This muscle prevents food from coming up through your esophagus, which prevents acid reflux. You need to protect your lower esophageal sphincter as much as possible.
Do not wear clothes that are too tight if you want to limit acid reflux. Belts, pantyhose and tight pants can push against your waistline and cause inflammation. Wear clothing that you feel comfortable in when you are in motion and sitting down at work to limit acid reflux from occurring.
Speak to a doctor if you feel like your acid reflux is not improving from the antacids that you are taking on a daily basis. Sometimes, you may need a serious form of medication that you doctor can prescribe, which can improve your symptoms. A professional’s diagnosis may be the solution to your acid reflux issues.
Learn stress coping techniques. Being stressed out can cause you to tense up your body and this causes you to contract some, or all, of your stomach muscles, causing acid reflux symptoms. Learn how to better handle stressful situations and you’ll find out you may have much less stomach troubles.
Try to eat slowly. Eating too fast will cause acid reflux to strike. If you find that you have trouble with this, make an effort to take a bite and then put your utensil down. This will ensure that you don’t put too much food in your mouth at any given time.
As stated above, suffering from acid reflux disease can cause quite a bit of discomfort and keep your mind occupied. Follow the helpful tips and tricks outlined above before, during and after you feel the symptoms of acid reflux. This will help you find relief and prevent acid reflux in the future.
