Do you suffer from acid reflux, or do you know someone who does? If the answer is yes, you understand that it is not a condition to be taken lightly. Acid reflux is not fun. You can alleviate the symptoms you feel concerning acid reflux with the following helpful tips.
Be sure to eat supper three hours before going to bed. You need to stay upright for at least two hours to allow your food to properly digest. If you lay on your back, the acid will come back up through your esophagus. Thus, you need to delay going to bed.
Food can make your acid reflux problems worse. Many folks eat way too fast and have far too much food in each meal. This can cause significant problems for someone suffering reflux issues. Avoid overeating. Additionally, you should eat more slowly. Chew your food thoroughly and rest between bites.
Acid Reflux
Some foods tend to cause acid reflux more than others. Some common problem foods are chocolate, alcohol, fast food, coffee, tea, or any beverage with caffeine. Foods that are highly acidic like tomatoes, oranges, grapefruits and lemons can cause acid reflux. The triggers can vary from person to person, meaning that you’ll have to learn from experience which ones cause discomfort and which do not. Just avoid these completely to be extra safe.
Do not lay down for at least two hours following a meal. By lying down, acid can rise due to the fact that gravity is working against it. You can provide your esophagus with relief by sitting or standing.
Do not wear extremely restrictive clothing. Pantyhose, belts and bands around the waist can be the worst. These garments put pressure on the stomach. This can worsen your reflux symptoms. Wear comfortable clothes that allow expansion for your stomach.
Losing weight can definitely help your fight against acid reflux. Acid reflux is very common among obese and overweight people. Losing just 10 percent of how much you weigh can reduce the occurrence of acid reflux. Adopt a healthy diet that includes reasonable quantities of many different foods instead of going on a crash diet.
Since fatty foods are a major cause of acid reflux, try to eat low-fat foods when possible. No fried chicken, potato chips or french fries for you! Read the nutrition labels on your food to see the amount of fat they have.
You should be doing moderate exercise. Low impact exercises like walking and water aerobics can greatly aid acid reflux issues. You can help keep the food you ate in your stomach using gravity when you stay upright.
You should not self-diagnose with the acid reflux. If you have the symptoms, like stomach discomfort and regurgitation, you should visit your doctor. There are lots of other conditions that also present similar symptoms. Only your doctor will be able to make a proper diagnosis. Your physician can run tests to see if you do have acid reflux.
To reduce acid reflux symptoms, consume your last meal of the day a minimum of three hours before you settle in for sleep. So eating at 8 if you go to bed at 11 can help you avoid acid reflux. When you lay down and you have a full stomach, there is more pressure on the LES muscle. This leads to the unpleasant effects of reflux.
Eating less than three hours before bed should be avoided. The reason this is helpful is because your stomach is less efficient at processing food when you are unconscious. Heartburn is often the result of eating directly before turning in for the night.
Extra Weight
If you’re carrying extra weight, make an effort to lose it. That extra weight may be triggering your acid reflux. By applying excessive pressure to your abdominal area, it makes you more prone to heartburn. By losing that extra weight, you can enjoy a higher quality of life.
When you or someone you know gets acid reflux again, you’ll be ready. In the past, all you could do was grin and bear it. Now, there are plenty of options to help you take action. With the help of these tips, you can banish acid reflux for good.