If acid reflux has plagued you, you probably want some answers. The following article will give you some helpful ideas for controlling your acid reflux. Continue reading for some tips on how to make this happen.
Stay away from acidic foods. They can both cause and exacerbate acid reflux. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, try to avoid oranges, tomatoes, grapefruit and vinegar. If you can't cut them out of your diet completely, at least try to avoid eating them in the evenings, so acid reflux doesn't strike when it is time for bed.
We truly are what we eat. If we eat high-fat foods, we will become obese and be at risk for acid reflux. It is important that we instead focus on low-acid foods, which are lean and healthy. Choose vegetables and whole-grain carbohydrates along with lean protein for your meals to curb your suffering.
A useful supplement called slippery elm helps to thicken the mucous that lines your stomach. It does this by helping to protect your stomach against acidity. Mix one or two tablespoons with some water and drink this remedy before going to bed.
Watch the types of foods you eat before a reflux episode. Acid reflux sufferers have some trigger foods that may cause it. Whenever you pinpoint the foods that cause your acid reflux, you should avoid them as much as possible, especially during the evening hours.
Avoid eating large quantities of food that contain a lot of acid. This may cause you to experience heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms. These foods include grapefruit, vinegar, lemons and tomatoes. If you are going to eat these foods, make sure that you are very mindful of the portion size.
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.
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.
Acid reflux can be caused by eating large meals too quickly. If at all possible, try to break your meals down into smaller portions throughout the day. If that isn't possible, take the time to eat your food slowly. This will make it easier to tell when you're full, and prevent acid reflux caused by overeating.
Drinking a large amount of liquid while eating can lead to acid reflux. You may not think about it, but liquids also add to the volume of food in your stomach. When the volume of food is too great, it overpowers your body's resources to keep food in your stomach. Limit the amount of liquid you drink while eating, or only drink between meals.
Wear clothes that are loose-fitting and comfortable. If you wear clothes that are too constricting and tight, they will put added pressure around your abdomen and your lower esophageal sphincter. When your abdomen area is free from any added stress, it can do its job much better and tight fitting clothes do not allow this.
For children who have acid reflux disease, the only thing that may work for them is time. When a person is younger, their digestive systems have not yet matured. This makes it easier for acid to produce, thus, increase acid reflux symptoms. Once they get older, the problem should go away.
Speak to a doctor if you feel like your acid reflux is not improving from the antacids that you are taking on a daily basis. Sometimes, you may need a serious form of medication that you doctor can prescribe, which can improve your symptoms. A professional's diagnosis may be the solution to your acid reflux issues.
Drink at least 10 glasses of water a day if you want to get rid of acid reflux. Water is important to help reduce toxins and acid that is in your stomach and causing your constant heartburn. Consume water when you wake up, during your meals and right before you to go bed for maximum effectiveness.
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.
Eat at least three hours ahead of bedtime. In other words, do not eat any later than 6:00 PM if you typically go to sleep at 9:00 PM each night. When lying down on a full stomach, more pressure is applied to the LES muscle. Thus, you will likely experience an acid reflux flare.
Acid reflux is often triggered by gluten. Cutting back on how much oats, barley and wheat is in your diet is a good thing to try if heartburn and acid reflux hit you often. To satisfy your body's need for grains, try millet and quinoa instead.
Try to reduce stress. Stress is a very common trigger for acid reflux. When you are stressed, you will often notice your muscles are affected, and this includes the muscles in your digestive tract. Try to avoid stressful situations and look into meditation or yoga to help manage your stress in a healthy way.
Are you suffering from acid reflux due to being pregnant? If so, then you need to determine the cause as soon as possible. It could be eating late in the day or drinking too much water. By determining the cause, you can prevent it from occurring in the future.
Now that you have read all of the information here, you can take steps to eliminate your acid reflex forever. It is no fun to suffer from acid reflux disease. The best thing would be to get rid of it entirely and reclaim your life.