The Acid Reflux Information You've Been Looking For

Living with acid reflux disease can literally be a pain. Constantly experiencing heartburn, and chest or throat pain after every meal is enough to drive anyone mad. Luckily, the article below has some easy tips that can help prevent the onset of these symptoms. Read through them and learn how you can combat your acid reflux.

The way you sit after eating can affect acid reflux and can keep it from traveling up your esophagus. After eating, try to remain sitting upright for around two to three hours before lying down. If you're having problems when you lay down later, prop your head up about six inches.

If you are a healthy weight, you are less likely to suffer from acid reflux. If you are overweight, your sphincter will allow acid into your esophagus. Your body can restrict the acid flow much better if you are at a healthy weight.

When you find you have acid reflux overnight, raise the head of your bed up at least six inches. This will keep your esophagus angled downwards, ensuring that acid stays in your stomach and doesn't try to creep back up towards your throat. If six inches doesn't help, try eight instead.

Stress can cause your muscles to contract, and when this happens to your stomach, acid will be pushed upwards. Try some relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga or meditation to reduce your stress and help you deal with situations which can be emotionally tumultuous. When you master these techniques, acid reflux may be reduced.

Many people like to lie down and relax after eating a big meal. This is bad for the digestive system and can lead to acid reflux. Instead, try walking around or standing to give the food a chance to digest. Wat at least two hours after eating to lie down. Also, elevate your body while sleeping.

Once you have eaten, exercising too soon after can definitely make your acid reflux worse. Food from your stomach will move into your esophagus if you work out low abdominal muscles. Wait a couple of hours after you eat before doing any physical activity.

If you would like to reduce acid reflux, avoid alcohol. It has two major effects on your body; it increases the amount of acid in your stomach and it destroys your stomach lining, both of which exacerbate acid reflux. If you are going out with friends, limit your alcohol intake if you want to feel good when you get home.

Eat slowly if you want to reduce the occurrence of acid reflux during your meals. When you eat too fast, your body does not have enough time to process the food, which can lead to inflammation and pain within your stomach. Put down your utensils if you have a hard time doing this successfully.

Try eating slowly. Rather than consuming your entire meal all at once, stop before you get full. Savor your meal and chew slowly. Stuffing yourself and wolfing down your food will surely lead to acid reflux. A great way to slow down your eating is to place your fork or spoon down on the table between each and every bite you take.

Limit the amount of drinks you have when you eat. Beverages can add volume to the food that you digest and increase how distended your stomach is. Having a full stomach puts some pressure on your LES or lower esophageal sphincter, which is responsible for keeping food from getting back into the esophagus. This increases your chances for having reflux. To lower chances, take small sips when eating and try drinking your beverages between meals instead of during meals.

Try to drink mostly in between meals if you suffer from acid reflux. When your stomach is full of food an liquid, the lower esophageal sphincter is under constant pressure. This can cause it to allow the food and acid in your stomach to come back up into your esophagus and destroy the lining within.

Avoid lying down after you've eaten. If you are prone to acid reflux, avoid laying flat for at least two hours after a snack or meal. Standing or walking can actually help your gastric juices start flowing properly. When you do go to sleep, try keeping the upper portion of your body elevated using a foam wedge or some books under the mattress or propping up your legs with blocks or books.

Avoid drinking fluids during your meals. When drinking while eating, more stress is being put on the stomach. This can cause acid reflux to worsen. Instead, sip water during your meals.

Allow at least 3 hours from your last meal before bedtime. Your stomach cannot properly digest if you are laying down. Heartburn is very likely to occur if you eat immediately prior to bedtime.

If acid reflux is a serious problem for you, examine your typical posture. Although sitting up straight will not cure your symptoms, it will improve them. When you are hunched over, you contort inner organs and muscles in unnatural positions and that can worsen your acid reflux problem. Sit completely upright and relax, for ease of symptoms and less back pain too.

Eat smaller portions throughout the day instead of larger meals. A big meal takes longer for your body to digest it and usually puts added pressure on your stomach, causing not only irritation, but damage, too. Instead of eating three large meals, break them up into five or six smaller ones.

Avoid lying down after you eat for at least two hours. Instead, get up and walk around to help your digestive tract work properly. The first two hours after eating is the perfect time to do the dishes, clean the house and go for a walk. Additionally, if your acid reflux flares up while you sleep, use risers to slightly elevate the head of your bed to help avoid stomach acids from going into your esophagus.

You are not alone in your fight against acid reflux. In fact, about a third of Americans have acid reflux. Unfortunately, most do not know how to fight off this condition. Don't suffer in silence, instead be sure to use the tips mentioned in the article above. You won't regret it.