Do you have a friend or family member with acid reflux? If so, you probably know how painful it can be. Your throat burns and feels like it is on fire. The pain of acid reflux can be alleviated with the help of the tips included in this article.
If you are a healthy weight, you are less likely to suffer from acid reflux. Your esophagus sphincter relaxes when fat in your stomach presses downward. By losing weight and trimming your midsection, your sphincter will tighten up as well, which will help to prevent acid reflux.
Fatty food should be avoided. Fatty foods tell the esophageal sphincter to take a break, allowing acid to flow the wrong way. Additionally, they lead to weight gain and this does not help those with acid reflux. Eat healthy to remain healthy!
While eating, remain in an upright position, and remain this way for three hours afterwards. Lying down or reclining just serves to bring acid back up the esophagus. When you stand or sit, you’ll feel better.
Chew cinnamon gum post-meal. As you chew the gum, you will begin to produce more saliva. Stomach acids are neutralized from saliva. In addition, people swallow more when they chew gum, which allows any acid that may be in the esophagus to be cleared away. You may find fruit flavored gum gives you the same effect. Mint flavored gum causes the esophageal sphincter to relax, adding to the problem.
Stay away from clothing that is too restricting. Pantyhose, waistbands, tight belts, and skinny jeans are common culprits. Restrictive clothing can put your stomach under additional pressure. This can cause acid reflux. Try wearing clothes that are comfortable and allow your stomach to breathe.
You should eat more frequently and smaller portions of meals. Eating fewer, larger meals can contribute to your acid reflux symptoms. An overly full stomach puts too much pressure on the muscle that closes the stomach. This allows stomach acid to creep into your esophagus, causing heartburn. Therefore, it is important to eat little meals instead of big ones.
Shed a few pounds. Being overweight can cause you to suffer from reflux even more. This fat puts pressure on your stomach, and increases your chances of refluxing. Even shedding just a few pounds can bring a great deal of relief.
If you are a pregnant, there is a chance that the weight of the baby is pushing against your stomach and causing your acid reflux to form. This is especially common during the last two trimesters, and is worth mentioning to your physician.
Give slippery elm lozenges a try. Slippery elm bark, the main ingredient in these natural lozenges, coats your digestive tract in a protective layer. This type of lozenge soothes the throat and relieves hoarseness and coughing that often accompany acid reflux. Health food stores generally carry this product.
Apply these tips the next time you experience acid reflux. Before you just had to deal with the pain and hoped that it would go away. Since reading these tips, you can take action. With these tips in your arsenal, heartburn will be forever vanquished from your life.