If acid reflux has been a problem for you, you are already aware of what a nuisance it is. Acid reflux can severely inhibit your activities of daily living and cause you great discomfort. However, there are many things you can do to stop acid reflux in its track. Read on to find out more.
Eat your last meal of the day many hours before you go to bed. In a seated position, food and secreted stomach acid is forced downward to your stomach. If you lay on your back, the acid will come back up through your esophagus. Therefore, to reduce or alleviate acid reflux, be sure to refrain from eating just before sleeping.
Elevating the head of your bed can work wonders to sooth nighttime acid reflux. There are many things you can use to help the mattress alone sit an an angle. You may also find beds that are electronically controlled.
Stop eating spicy foods if you want to prevent acid reflux. These foods only escalate the buildup of acid in the digestive tract and can worsen your condition. Kicking spicy foods out of your diet can often promote instant relief.
Certain foods trigger acid reflux. Alcohol, chocolate, caffeine and fried foods are a few of the different items that can cause acid reflux. Food that are high in acid, like tomatoes and oranges also cause reflux. Not all foods affect every person the same way, so it may require some trial and error to determine your specific triggers. To be safe, avoid all these.
Stay upright for a couple hours after each meal. Doing so can cause a build up of stomach acids into the esophagus. This will help you feel comfortable when you stand.
Somtimes acid reflux is extremely painful and causes the sufferer to believe a heart attack is in progress. Be sure to attend to chest pain right away. You may be experiencing a heart attack. Seek medical advice as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to properly diagnose your condition.
Place your bed on risers to help with night time acid reflux. You can lift up the bed by using bricks, wood or raisers specifically made for raising a bed. Try to adjust the head of your bed at least six inches. If you elevate your head and chest, you could stop the rise of stomach acid while you sleep.
Don’t lay down right after you eat. Laying down can make it hard for your digestive system to work properly. You’ll keep your reflux at bay and feel a lot better if you try to stay upright more often.
Slim down. Overweight people are more likely to have acid reflux. Acid will have a tendency to stay inside your stomach if you lose weight in your midsection. Even a few pounds lost can bring relief.
You don’t have to give up your whole life due to acid reflux. By educating yourself on the topic, you can make a huge difference in your acid reflux issue. Take what you learned here and use that to combat this problem to help you live free from the pain of acid reflux.