The Skinny On Acid Reflux And How To Treat It
Acid reflux is one of the most uncomfortable conditions that anyone could have. Acid reflux can be created and exacerbated by many factors, including diet, weight, smoking, and even your clothing. You can learn what causes acid reflux and how to get rid of it with the information in this article.
Keep a diet diary. Everyone is different, and which foods will trigger your acid reflux may not be the same as mine. Write down how you feel before, during and after each meal, and include a list of what you eat and drink all day. After a month, you should have a clearer picture of which foods cause you the most grief.
For quick relief, pick up cinnamon flavored gum. When you chew gum, your salivary glands pick up the pace which can help neutralize stomach acid. On top of that, you’ll swallow more and help clear the acid out of your esophagus. Lastly, choosing non-mint and non-citrus flavors ensures you don’t trigger your acid reflux.
Stop smoking if you are trying to rid yourself of issues with acid reflux. Many people do not know this, but smoking causes the muscles in the esophagus to relax. This can create some of the symptoms associated with acid reflux, so quit if you are trying to make things better.
Contracting the abdominal muscles can make food that is in your stomach to make its way back into the esophagus. This is why you need to wait until at least one hour after eating before you attempt to do any physical exercise. You should also avoid any other types of physical exertion directly after meals.
If you are pregnant and experiencing acid reflux, try to relax. This problem is often no longer an issue after you have the baby. It is a symptom of the baby pushing on all of your innards causing the acid in your belly to rise. Watch what you eat and avoid laying down until an hour has passed after you eat.
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.
If you often have acid reflux, avoid drinking during your meals. A glass of water will add to the volume of food in your stomach and make digestion harder. You should wait until you are done digesting to drink and avoid drinking just before having a meal or a snack.
Smaller portion sizes will help you control your acid reflux. If you eat a little less at each meal, you shouldn’t have as much trouble with heartburn. You could also try eating five or six small meals, instead of three large meals each day if you want to make a difference.
Consider taking a proton pump inhibitor. Drugs such as omeprazole work to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces, stopping acid reflux at the source. Make sure you talk to your doctor before starting these types of medicine, even those that can be obtained over-the-counter. You will need to make sure that too much acid in the stomach is the cause of your acid reflux.
Do not wear tight clothing around your midsection. This added pressure can worsen your acid reflux symptoms. Instead, wear comfortable, loose clothing to prevent this added pressure on your stomach. If you are the type of person who enjoys skinny jeans, you really should wait until your acid reflux is under control before wearing them again.
Chew gum after your meals. Believe it or not, chewing gum can help alleviate acid reflux because it encourages saliva production. Saliva helps eliminate stomach acid. In addition, you will likely swallow more often, which further helps clear acid. Aim to chew cinnamon or fruit-flavored gum rather than mint because mint could worsen your acid reflux.
The discomfort associated with acid reflux can be worrying. What makes acid reflux worse is that it can be triggered by things in your everyday life, including things you enjoy. You don’t want to have to live with acid reflux. Use the contents of this article and give acid reflux the boot.
