Do you experience acid reflux? If you aren’t sure, you’d be surprised how it can present itself. Acid reflux can cause heartburn, bloating, a lump in your throat and more. You should keep reading if you need to get rid of these symptoms.
You are much less likely to have acid reflux if you are at your ideal weight. At the end of your esophagus is a sphincter, and excess fat can press down on this and cause it to relax. Losing weight will tighten your sphincter, making the acid stay where it needs to stay.
Stop smoking! Smoking aggravates acid reflux, and it is possibly the cause. It slows digestion, boosts acid production in the stomach and limits saliva production. It causes the esophageal sphincter to relax as well. This is the reason you should quit today.
Pregnant women are also subject to acid reflux as well. A growing child puts pressure on the stomach, which can push the acids of the stomach into the windpipe. Stick to foods that are low in fat and acid in order to keep the symptoms from popping up. If this strategy isn’t effective, try out different teas in order to soothe your esophagus and eliminate harmful stomach acids without putting your baby in danger.
Do not exercise within an hour of eating your meal. Contractions of the lower stomach during exercise can cause undigested food to be forced upwards in the esophagus. Wait a few hours before you engage in any physical activity.
A good way to avoid acid reflux is by chewing cinnamon gum after meals. Whenever you chew gum, your saliva production increases. Saliva helps to neutralize the acid of the stomach. You will also find that you swallow more, clearing acid from the esophagus. If not cinnamon gum, fruit flavors work as well. Peppermint and spearmint gum should be avoided because they relax your esophageal sphincter.
Reflux may be so painful that it may seem like a heart attack. However, you should never ignore chest pain. It could be a heart attack. Get to the doctor pronto. Do not take any risks if you believe your health might be at risk.
Don’t wear restrictive clothing. Tight pantyhose, waistbands, and belts usually fall into this category. These kinds of garments put pressure on your digestive area that you don’t need or want. This can often lead to acid reflux symptoms. Try wearing clothes that are comfortable and allow your stomach to breathe.
Light to moderate daily exercise is very helpful in getting acid reflux under control. It’s important the exercise stay moderate. Exercises that are vigorous can actually case reflux, but low-impact exercises could help. Such exercises work to keep you in an upright position, allowing gravity to aid digestion. Besides, being more active will help you get in shape and reduce the pressure on your stomach.
A food’s relative pH doesn’t really influence whether it will produce acid when you eat it. While lemons are acidic, they become alkaline once digestion has occurred. Do not get confused by how acidic a food is before it is eaten. It’s important to know the pH level of foods when you have problems with acid reflux.
Make it a point to relax whenever possible. Eating while stressed can increase the amount of acid in your stomach. After you eat, take some time to breath deeply, meditate or simply relax. Never lay down after a meal.
If you have acid reflux, you should engage in moderate exercise. Why not try a long walk or water aerobics? Being upright will allow gravity to aid in digestion and keep food in it’s proper place.
Acid reflux disease is not a condition that you should try to diagnose yourself. If you think you might have acid reflux disease, see a doctor and find out for sure. There are numerous other diseases that have the same or similar symptoms. There are many tests your doctor may utilize to diagnose the condition.
Chewing cinnamon gum can help with your acid reflux. Chewing increases saliva, which in turn starts neutralizing stomach acid. Chewing gum also causes people to swallow more. This pushes stomach acid down into the stomach, instead of allowing it to come up into your esophagus.
You should have your dinner three hours before sleeping. If bedtime is at 11 then make sure you aren’t eating anything after 8. When you lay down and you have a full stomach, there is more pressure on the LES muscle. As a result, your acid reflux will flare up.
Don’t recline post-meal. You should instead use gravity in your favor to fight against acid reflux. The specific amount of time that is needed before being able to lie down depends on both the individual and the last actual meal.
Exercise can help. Working out has many benefits, acid reflux reduction being one of them. It can also help your body work properly. If your stomach is upset after exercising, you may have worked out too hard.
Caffeine and/or carbonation is a leading cause of acid reflux. Among the caffeinated drinks that cause acid reflux problems are black tea, coffee and cola. They can also break down your stomach lining causing irritation. Instead of regular tea, try green teas in their place.
Loose clothing is a must when dealing with acid reflux. Tight clothes will put tension and stress on your stomach. Try and stay in comfortable clothing at all times. It’s also advisable to be proactive and wear something loose fitting to a big meal.
Many people assume that acid reflux is caused solely by food, but beverages play a role, too. You should avoid drinking too many sodas with your meals. That is probably not the norm, but make sure not to have too much liquid with meals if you want to reduce acid.
Acid reflux affects millions around the world. Really, over a third of adults have some level of acid reflux problem. If it has happened to you, remember to utilize the tips you have read. They will be beneficial to you in the future.