Acid Reflux Relief Tips
Whether it is called heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD, it is a fact that they are all uncomfortable and painful digestive problems that direct results of stomach acids rising up into the esophagus. The LES muscles failing cause them all to stop the stomach acids from reaching the throat regions. The results are the burning irritation with sour tastes in the mouth.
The relief available for acid reflux includes taking medications, either over-the-counter or prescribed, monitoring the diet, avoiding sleeping, or lying down immediately after meals, avoiding lifting or bending after meals, and changing the types of foods or beverages consumed. Some people have acid reflux due to medications they are taking as well as hiatal hernias and pregnancies. These are the leading factors in the acid reflux disease.
Begin analyzing the current medication taken. Some of the drugs taken that cause acid reflux include anticholinergics, birth control pills, high blood pressure medications, bronchodilators, antidepressants, dopamine, sedatives, and beta-blockers. These medications have the side effects of acid reflux or heartburn. If you have the symptoms of acid reflux, notify your physician so you can be treated for this additional condition. Do not discontinue the medications to alleviate the acid reflux without the advice or consent of your physician.
Changing your eating habits to include smaller meals and smaller bites of food help to reduce the symptoms. A full stomach leads to more pressure on the esophagus increasing the acid reflux reaction. Do not lie down after meals. Allow at least three hours before going to bed or taking nap to allow the food to digest and remove the acid and contents into the intestines. Avoid bending over or lifting shortly after meals for the same reasons.
Avoid foods and beverages that are triggers of the increased stomach acids. The triggers include caffeine, carbonated beverages, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy sauces, hot spices, full-fat dairy products, fatty or fried foods, chocolate, peppermint and spearmints as well as acidic juices.
When sleeping or lying down, elevate the head and neck regions at a gradual slope of six inches to reduce the refluxing of the stomach acids. The undigested foods will less likely rise up into the esophagus at the slight angle and will reduce the painful symptoms.