If you suffer from acid reflux, you know how problematic it can become. Besides the pain that you have to deal with, you may need to explain what you go through to loved ones or acquaintances so they can better understand your struggle. Read this article for more tips on dealing with acid reflux.

Keep a diet diary. Everyone is different, and which foods will trigger your acid reflux may not be the same as mine. Write down how you feel before, during and after each meal, and include a list of what you eat and drink all day. After a month, you should have a clearer picture of which foods cause you the most grief.

Fat around your stomach doesn’t just put you at increased risk of type II diabetes, heart disease and stroke, it also causes you to be more likely to develop acid reflux or will worsen symptoms if you are already a sufferer. Lose weight by exercising moderately and eating low-fat, low-acid foods.

Don’t confuse acid reflux with GERD! The latter can be a very serious indication that you’ve got other problems, whereas most often acid reflux is related to eating and lifestyle. If you’re not sure, see your doctor right away and find out what’s going on with your digestive system right away.

Limit the amount of fluids you intake while eating. Fluids add volume to the food you are eating, which will result in overfilling your stomach and allowing stomach acids to rise into your esophagus resulting in acid reflux. By limiting the amount of fluids you ingest, you can help prevent acid reflux.

If you are suffering from extreme stress, you need to figure out how to control it. Stress can cause inflammation and heartburn since it causes acid to form in your stomach. Eliminate the triggers to solve the problem at its root.

Light to moderate daily exercise is very helpful in getting acid reflux under control. It is important that this exercise be moderate. Vigorous routines can aggravate your digestive tract and cause reflux, but moderate or low-impact activities like walking can help your reflux greatly. These exercises also keep you upright and allow gravity to help with your digestion. Exercise also causes you to lose weight, which reduces reflux.

Avoid lying down after you’ve eaten. If you are prone to acid reflux, avoid laying flat for at least two hours after a snack or meal. Standing or walking can actually help your gastric juices start flowing properly. When you do go to sleep, try keeping the upper portion of your body elevated using a foam wedge or some books under the mattress or propping up your legs with blocks or books.

You may wish to give up spicy foods, as they may be a large factor in your acid reflux attacks. Start first by completely avoiding spicy foods altogether and see if this helps. If it does, then slowly start working spicy foods back into your diet in order to find what your tolerance level is.

Eat your meals slow, taking the time to completely chew your food. Make sure you actually enjoy your food. Avoid overeating by stopping once you are full.

Keep a journal of the foods you eat and how you feel after you eat them. This can help you determine what your particular trigger foods are. If a food bothers your stomach and causes you acid reflux symptoms, you should do your best to avoid this food as much as possible.

If you are not too keen on the idea of taking medication to control your acid reflux, there is still something you can do to. Many foods can naturally help you combat your acid reflux. Herbal licorice has the ability to naturally coat your stomach with a protective gel when it is taken in tincture or tea form.

If you are at risk of acid reflux, don’t exercise too vigorously. An intense workout can aggravate the digestive track and increase the likelihood of reflux after meals. Walking is the perfect way to keep fit and reduce or maintain a healthy body weight to further reduce the risk of acid reflux. Start slowly if you are not used to regular exercise.

Do you tend to become nauseous after you finish eating a meal? This could be an indication that you have acid reflux. Many times acid reflux is overlooked because there are so many different ailments associated with nausea. If you think acid reflux might be the culprit then make sure you talk to your doctor.

One of the most annoying parts of acid reflux is dealing with telling people about it and explaining what foods you can’t eat. However, taking preventative measures can help immensely with this disorder. Remember the tips in this article so living with acid reflux can become somewhat more tolerable for you.

Troubled By Acid Reflux? Read On For Useful Information was originally published on Spring