If you’ve had acid reflux previously, you’re aware of how aggravating it can be. It can impair your everyday life, on top of causing discomfort. However, there are many things you can do to stop acid reflux in its track. This article will share lots of useful advice with you.
Do you smoke? If so, you need to quit now. Smoking aggravates acid reflux, and it is possibly the cause. Smoking reduces the production of saliva and slows down digestion, causing stomach acids to increase. In addition, the sphincter of your esophagus can become weaker. That’s why you should quit today.
Watch the types of foods you eat before a reflux episode. All acid reflux sufferers have specific foods that trigger their acid reflux. When you figure out what causes the problem to occur, you will know what foods to avoid, especially at night when it can get worse.
Chew a stick of cinnamon gum after meals. Chewing gum helps to stimulate your saliva glands. Saliva helps to neutralize the acid of the stomach. Since you swallow more when you chew gum, this will also wash down any acid remaining in your throat. Fruit gum is okay if it isn’t based on citrus. Mint gums can exacerbate the problem.
Raise the top part of your bed. You can use bricks, wood or even bed raisers to accomplish this. The head of the bed should be six inches more elevated than the bottom of the bed. By keeping your upper body elevated, you can prevent stomach acid from rising while sleeping.
Steer clear of clothes that are too tight. Tight belts, waistbands and pantyhose can cause you discomfort. Restrictive clothing can put your stomach under additional pressure. This pressure can cause heartburn and reflux. Wear comfortable clothes that allow expansion for your stomach.
Intense periods of physical activity may be the cause of your acid reflux. Drink more water. Of course, water hydrates you as you work out. Also, water will help break down the food that you put in your body. You decrease and dilute your stomach acid by increasing your water intake.
One of the major causes of heart burn is alcohol. It should be avoided. Besides causing acid to begin to build up and eat away at your stomach lining, alcohol worsens acid reflux. Refrain from drinking with friends, especially if you have suffered from reflux when drinking in the past.
A little bit of physical activity can go a long way. Moderate is the key word here. Exercises that are vigorous can actually case reflux, but low-impact exercises could help. Make sure you stay upright so the acid remains in your stomach. Moderate exercise helps you lose weight too.
As you’ve seen, you no longer have to allow acid reflux to interfere with your life. The steps are simple, but with your hard work you can say goodbye to acid reflux forever. Use the steps in this article to take control and get your life back on track.