When most people think about acid reflux, they think of it as something that is not that serious. While it is not the worst health problem in history, it can make life extremely uncomfortable, and it can lead to more serious issues. If you have been having issues with acid and you want to change that, continue reading.
Fatty foods no more! Fried chicken, pizza, chicken wings and potato chips are the enemy of the GERD sufferer. These foods cause your sphincter to relax, allowing the contents of your stomach, acid and all, to rise back up into your esophagus. Go for meals full of vegetables and lean protein instead.
Limit your liquid intake with meals if you’re prone to acid reflux. Even healthy beverages like water can fill up your stomach fast, creating conditions that are conducive to acid reflux. Sip your beverage conservatively and never gulp it down. Wait a half an hour after a big meal to enjoy quenching your thirst.
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.
If you are a smoker and suffer from acid reflux, you should consider quitting. The nicotine in cigarettes creates acid in the stomach, causing acid reflux. Don’t stress yourself by stopping smoking all at once as this could also exacerbate your problem. Attempt to quit gradually.
There are certain foods that trigger acid reflux. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to avoid these if possible. One example is chocolate. While dark chocolate doesn’t appear to be as bad as high-fat milk chocolate, they both contain caffeine and cocoa, which are both known to cause acid reflux.
Refrain from consuming foods that have a high acid content if you want to alleviate your acid reflux during the night. Some of these foods include fruits such as grapefruit and oranges. These fruits can cause the burn that you feel, especially if you have them right before you lie down.
The food you consume each day will make a difference in your reflux. Avoiding acidic foods, peppers, greasy foods and alcoholic beverages could help. These foods and drinks could be causing the problem. Also, avoid eating less than three hours before you bed time. Going to bed with a full stomach could make for a rough night and morning.
If over the counter medicine isn’t giving you acid reflux relief, try pineapple for a more natural solution. Pineapple contains bromelain, which has been shown to lessen acid reflux symptoms. Bromelain is only present in fresh pineapple or fresh pineapple juice, however. Canned pineapple and store bought juices will not contain bromelain.
Reduce the fat in your diet. Excess fat causes your LES muscle to relax, which delays stomach emptying. As a result, acid reflux is more likely to occur. Therefore, if you consume lots of fried foods, substitute them for leaner, grilled options. This is not only good for your acid reflux, but also for your overall health.
Relax as much as you can. By eating meals when overly stressed out, you are more likely to experience acid reflux. You should do something relaxing after eating. Don’t lie down right after. You need to stay upright.
You need to get exercising daily if you have acid reflux. The best types of exercise to try are low impact, such as walking, cycling or water aerobics. Your body is in an upright position and gravity will help aid digestion and keep your food in your stomach where it belongs.
Stop smoking to help with your reflux symptoms. Smoking can increase your chances of developing GERD too. It slows down digestion, boots stomach acid, and reduces the production of saliva. Without a higher production of saliva, you don’t have a great defense against the stomach acid. It also harms the esophagus, weakens your LES muscle and weakens your whole digestive system, which can contribute to acid reflux.
The foods you eat play a big role in acid reflux. Discover which foods trigger your symptoms and do your best to avoid these foods. There are main culprits, but what bothers one person will not always bother another. Write down the foods you eat and your body’s response to help you figure out what your trigger foods are.
As stated earlier, heartburn is not the worst health problem in the world. It is minor compared to other things, but it is a real issue that many people face. Hopefully, the tips in the article above have given you solid ideas on how to deal with your acid reflux symptoms.
Read Only This Acid Reflux Article And You’ll Know It All was originally published on Spring