There is no question that acid reflux causes thousands of people to suffer every day. Having said that, by being equipped with excellent advice, almost anyone can dramatically improve their symptoms. Continue reading and learn some helpful pointers for dealing with your acid reflux.

Acid reflux can be exacerbated by the way you eat. Most people eat too much, too quickly. This is an improper way to eat and only serves to make things worse in the future. Make sure you only eat until you are no longer hungry. Also, when you sit at the table to eat, slow down. Chew slowly, and even go so far as to lay down the fork every so often.

Fatty foods are a serious no-no for reflux sufferers. Relaxing of the esophageal sphincter happens when you eat high-fat products. They can also cause weight gain, and acid reflux is more prevalent in overweight people. Learn to make good nutritional choices.

If you smoke, it’s time to stop smoking. Smoking worsens acid reflux disease. It slows down your digestive process, increases stomach acid, and slows down your saliva production. It can weaken your esophageal sphincter as well. This is the reason you should quit today.

Stress can cause acid reflux. When you are stressed, your body naturally produces more stomach acid. Therefore, you should relax while eating and after each meal. You can watch some television, read a good book or do anything relaxing.

Acid Reflux

You should consider quitting smoking if you are a sufferer of acid reflux. Acid reflux is made worse by nicotine because it stimulates stomach acid production. However, it is not wise to quit cold turkey; doing so could put stress on the body and worsen acid reflux. Instead, you need to try to quit a little at a time.

Keep cinnamon gum on you at all times, and eat a stick of it after every meal. This increases saliva production. Saliva helps neutralize the acids in the stomach. Additionally, the constant swallowing during gum chewing will help to clear the esophagus of lingering acid. You can also try fruity flavored gum. Since mint induces the esophageal sphincter to relax, avoid mint-flavored gums.

Eat your food slowly. Don’t clean your plate unless you are really that hungry. Instead, eat slowly and stop when you feel satisfied. Sit and take the time to chew and taste the meal. When you eat too fast or continue eating when you feel stuffed, your symptoms will become worse. One trick to slow everything down is to put your fork down after every bite.

Engage in moderate exercise every day. Make sure you keep it simple and at a moderate level for best success. More vigorous exercises can actually complicate your acid reflux, so you need to do more moderate activities. In addition, moderate exercise keeps your body in an upright position, further aiding in digestion. Besides, being more active will help you get in shape and reduce the pressure on your stomach.

Stay calm. If you eat when stressed, it can lead to acid reflux. When your meal is finished, relax by doing some deep breathing or meditation. Don’t lay down after a meal.

After you eat, avoid laying down for two hours or more if you suffer from acid reflux. This is because gravity is a simple method of limiting acid reflux. The time will vary by person; however, you should always wait at least two hours before lying down.

There are surgical options available if acid reflux symptoms are too much to tolerate. Fundoplication is a very effective form of surgery for this condition. In this surgery, a new valve is created to reduce the acid that escapes into the esophagus. This procedure is permanent and can often eliminate the condition completely.

A great way to avoid discomfort from acid reflux is eating slowly and savoring food. Relax and enjoy your food. Stop eating when you are satisfied rather than when you feel stuffed.

Dealing with a condition like acid reflux is very painful and unpleasant. You can take steps to reduce your symptoms and alleviate your pain for the long term. Use this advice to help a loved one or yourself.