If you suffer from acid reflux, rest assured that you are not alone. In fact, nearly 1/3 of all Americans suffer from this condition. Symptoms such as heartburn, burning in the chest and throat and nausea can really hinder someones quality of life. Luckily, the article below has some great tips on how you can prevent this.
It is important that you don't eat too quickly if you suffer from acid reflux. The slower you eat, the better! Not only will it allow you to begin to break down the food in your stomach, it will ensure that you feel full when you really are full, something that doesn't happen if you eat too quickly.
To stop acid reflux disease, increase your intake of Vitamin D. This vitamin increases peptide production, which destroys the production of acid in the stomach. Your body gets Vitamin D from the sun. If you do not get enough sun exposure, you can always take Vitamin D in pill form.
Slow down! When you eat more slowly, your body is able to keep up with what is being deposited in your stomach. This means that it will know that it is full when it truly is full, and you will eat less. If you overeat, you'll find your acid reflux goes crazy.
You should not only be upright when eating, but you should stay that way for a few hours. If you lie down or recline, acid can move up your esophagus more easily as gravity isn't holding it down. Standing or sitting up can help your esophagus.
Certain foods will cause your acid reflex to act up. Chocolate is one of them, unfortunately. Also try to avoid mint, ketchup, mustard and even mint. If you are able to change your diet even just a little bit, you should feel much better and should have less episodes going forward.
When you complete your meal, do not lie down on your back or stomach. This position uses gravity to build up acid in your stomach, which is one of the main reasons why you get acid reflux and heartburn. Walk around your home or do the dishes after you eat to prevent this from happening.
Try to eat smaller meals if you suffer from acid reflux. Sitting and eating large meals can contribute to the pain associated with acid reflux. Eating smaller meals will reduce the amount of acid your stomach has to produce to digest your food. This means that your stomach will work less and you will not have as much pain.
Try moderate exercise that keeps you upright, such as walking. Walking, for example, can help improve symptoms in several ways. An upright posture is a huge help in digestion and keeps your stomach contents where they belong. Second, it can help you lose weight, further improving your acid reflux. Even though it is essential to get regular exercise, you don't want to be too hardcore about it, as this can indeed make your acid reflux worse, not better.
Watch out for foods that trigger your acid reflux. For most people, these include fried and fatty foods, caffeinated and/or carbonated beverages, citrus juices, spicy foods, etc. There may be other foods and drinks that cause your acid reflux, so just be mindful of what you are eating. If you notice that a particular food or drink is worsening your acid reflux, stop consuming it.
Consider taking a proton pump inhibitor. Drugs such as omeprazole work to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces, stopping acid reflux at the source. Make sure you talk to your doctor before starting these types of medicine, even those that can be obtained over-the-counter. You will need to make sure that too much acid in the stomach is the cause of your acid reflux.
Engage in moderate exercise every day. Make sure you keep it simple and at a moderate level for best success. Intense exercise causes agitation in the digestive tract and creates acid reflux. Walking and other low impact forms of exercise reduce the chances of reflux. These exercises also keep you upright and allow gravity to help with your digestion. Finally, exercise can help you shed some pounds. A healthy body weight is another great way to relieve your 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.
Give yourself at least three hours after eating dinner before you hit the sack. When you're awake, your body processes your food much more efficiently. You will probably wake up with acid reflux if you go to sleep within three hours after your dinner.
Carefully consider the types of foods you are eating if acid reflux is a problem. Fatty, grease filled foods like chicken wings, pizza and french fries can sit in your stomach for a longer period of time, increasing the likelihood of reflux. Instead, choose high quality proteins, vegetables and whole grains for the majority of your meals.
When you have acid reflux disease it can be difficult to eat foods that are acidic such as tomato sauce and salsa. If you have been steering clear of these foods out of fear of discomfort, you no longer have to avoid them altogether. Taking an antacid prior to eating these types of foods can help you avoid experiencing acid reflux.
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.
As was mentioned earlier in this article, living with acid reflux can really impact your life in a negative way. Nothing is worse than having an aversion to eating because of the possible effects it may have on you. Use the tips given above to help you fight back against your acid reflux.
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