Are you suffering from acid reflux? If you are not sure, you might be surprised at the symptoms. Acid reflux can cause a burning sensation, a lump, nausea and can even make you feel bloated. To prevent this, give this article a read.
Eat dinner a minimum of three hours before bedtime. You need to stay upright for at least two hours to allow your food to properly digest. If you lay on your back, the acid will come back up through your esophagus. Thus, stick to a plan that allows you three hours of digestion before bed.
GERD is more likely to occur when you are overweight. When you are overweight, the esophageal sphincter sometimes opens under the pressure of the excess weight. Your body can restrict the acid flow much better if you are at a healthy weight.
Elevating the head of your bed can work wonders to sooth nighttime acid reflux. Anything that is sturdy enough to elevate the mattress is suitable. For example, you might use a block of wood or a few books. Electric beds are also an option here as well.
Eliminate spicy foods from your diet to help alleviate acid reflux symptoms. These kinds of food cause excess acid in your stomach, worsening your condition. If you simply avoid such foods, you will soon experience relief.
Keep track of the foods you eat so you know what causes your acid reflux issues. Trigger foods vary from person to person. When you have identified your triggers, you can avoid them effectively.
Smokers should consider quitting in order to get rid of acid reflux. The presence of nicotine in your system will cause your stomach to produce more acid than needed. Don’t stress your system by quitting abruptly, but rather cut down gradually. Quit slowly instead.
Don’t wear tight clothing. Tight fitting pants, belts and pantyhose can really make you feel worse. There will be added pressure on the stomach if you wear tight clothes. This can cause acid reflux. Let your stomach breathe a little more by wearing comfortable clothing.
Alcohol is another no-no. Consuming alcohol can end up making your acid reflux symptoms much worse. Whenever you go out with your friends, be sure to keep your drinking under control so that you won’t feel sick afterward.
Try exercises that keep you upright, like walking. This type of exercise helps to reduce your acid reflux in several ways. Your digestive process will be improved if you remain upright. Also, you can decrease your weight, which relieves pressure internally. Although moderate exercise is important, you should not do intense exercise because this can actually worsem, not improve, acid reflux.
Use slippery elm lozenges to treat your acid reflux. Made of slippery elm bark, these lozenges coat the digestive system with a protective substance. In lozenge form, it will also relieve the coughing that often accompanies a bout of reflux and will soothe an irritated throat. These are very easy to find, as you can pick them up at your local health store.
Acid reflux affects people everywhere. In fact, one-third of all adults have some form of it. If you have problems with acid reflux, following the tips presented here will surely be helpful to you.