Acid reflux is a condition that affects countless individuals and causes everything from minor irritation to debilitating pain. The key to managing the condition successfully is knowledge. Read the information that follows below, and you will be prepared to deal with the symptoms of acid reflux and live the pain-free life you deserve.
How to treat acid reflux naturally?
Opt for lean meats and food that does not have a lot of fat in it. If you indulge in greasy foods, like French fries, you are more likely to suffer from acid reflux. Try tracking your food for a week and seeing what triggers your heartburn. Adjust your diet accordingly.
Instead of drinking with your food, drink between meals. This is a good way to manage hunger, since you stand a better chance of being thirsty than you do hungry. This also means your stomach will not experience the distention that comes with drinking during meals.
If you suffer from acid reflux symptoms at night time, you may need to change the way you sleep. You should be laying on your back, with the upper half of your body propped up by a few pillows. When you lay flat, whether on your back, stomach or side, you are allowing acid to come up through the esophagus.
There are some foods which people who suffer from acid reflux must avoid. These include high-fat foods, alcohol, drinks with caffeine, anything with mint in it, chocolate, citrus, anything with tomato in it, foods with spices in them, peppers, garlic, carbonated drinks and onions. You may find your acid reflux flares with many other foods as well, so make a list.
When you find you have acid reflux overnight, raise the head of your bed up at least six inches. This will keep your esophagus angled downwards, ensuring that acid stays in your stomach and doesn't try to creep back up towards your throat. If six inches doesn't help, try eight instead.
High fat foods may be tasty, but that can be troublesome for anyone who suffers from acid reflux. Foods that are high in fat cause the sphincter of the lower portion of the esophagus to become relaxed and increase the time it takes for the stomach to empty. Both of these conditions make it possible for acid reflux to occur. Eat a healthy balanced diet of vegetables, fiber, grains, and lean protein.
It is a good idea to raise the head of your bed if you have been experiencing acid reflux issues frequently. When you are lying flat, it gives the stomach contents an easier way of refluxing. You should raise the mattress about 6-8 inches in order to get the best results.
Losing weight can lessen or prevent acid reflux. Obesity is a leading cause of this condition. Losing just 10 percent of how much you weigh can reduce the occurrence of acid reflux. Eat smaller portioned meals during the day to help your acid reflux.
Acid reflux can be devastating in your life. Not only is the pain from heartburn a concern, but the danger of contracting gastroesophageal reflux disease is extremely high. If left untreated, you could develop cancer of the esophagus. If you think, you have problems with acid reflux, you need to visit a doctor soon.
Avoid Certain Foods. Some foods are more likely to trigger acid reflux than others. These include caffeine, spicy food, alcohol, tomatoes, chocolate, and any foods that are acidic in nature. If you frequently suffer from acid reflux, consider eliminating these foods from your diet, or at least try not to eat them in the hours before you go to bed.
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.
Do not smoke. If you smoke now, do your best to stop and if you don't smoke, do not pick up the habit. If you smoke, quit. Smoking has the ability to cause your lower esophageal sphincter to fail and not be able to do its job of blocking stomach acid.
Skip the antacid. An antacid is fine if you only suffer from acid reflux occasionally, however more frequent sufferers should look for better treatment options. An antacid is only a temporary fix, working to mask the pain. It does nothing to treat the underlying cause of the problem. Using antacids too frequently can even cause your stomach to start producing more acid in response.
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.
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.
Consume supplements that contain Pyridoxine if you want to get rid of acid reflux immediately. This vitamin helps to metabolize the different fats and carbohydrates that you put in your stomach. Also, this vitamin will give your body the ability to repair damaged cells faster that you lose from acid reflux.
There is no denying the potential of acid reflux to complicate the lives of those who suffer from it. However, with a bit of good information and insight, it is possible to handle the condition skillfully in a way that enables to you lead a normal life. With any luck, this article has provided you with just that.