subject: Acid Reflux - Guidelines to Wellness [print this page] Acid Reflux - Guidelines to Wellness Acid Reflux - Guidelines to Wellness
Ever suffered from painful indigestion? Perhaps you have interpreted it as though it was an impending heart attack. If this continues to persist chances are you may be having an acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease. The pain you have just felt is called heartburn and you need acid reflux help.
Heartburn is common to millions of people nowadays. Occasional heartburn may be harmless but as it persists for a long time, it becomes more chronic. It can lead to more serious problem, laryngopharyngeal acid reflux and hiatal hernia. But instead of what leads to what, it may be best to discuss some helpful tips on how to deal with your acid reflux and get away with heartburn.
1. The popular saying, don't talk when your mouth is full is true. You need to chew your foods properly. This will stimulate salivary glands to produce saliva that neutralizes acid. Fast eating will only aggravate the reflux.
2. If possible, you can keep a food diary, so that you can easily determine the foods that frequently cause indigestion to you. You need to avoid them as much as possible. Keep a rundown list of high fiber and low fat foods. Fatty foods are difficult to digest and thus trigger the reflux as well.
3. Lose extra fat in your abdomen. Do an abdominal exercise that firms your abdominal muscles. Excess fat can press against your stomach that makes the sphincter relax and it causes regurgitation.
4. Stress can cause more acidity in your stomach so better keep stress at a minimum level.
5. If you're a fan of alcoholic beverages, you need to avoid them if you can because alcohol can worsen your acid reflux problem. In addition, you need to cut down smoking. Drinking and smoking is detrimental to your health.
6. Try heartburn home remedies, natural medication eases you from the side effects of antacids. There are many natural recipes that can help you cure acid reflux. One way to get rid of distressing heartburn is to add apple cider vinegar in your diet.
7. Eat frequent but small meals in a day and don't eat a lot in just one sitting. Never lie down immediately after mealtime.
8. Consume only small ounces of water during eating then 30 min. After meal you can drink all you can. Remember that drinking too much can also cause indigestion because too much water can dilute the stomach acid.
9. Start exercising for your health. Overall it is good for your digestive system and improves digestion. Make sure you do regular exercises.
10. There are so many over the counter antacid available in your local drug stores that can help alleviate the acid reflux symptoms. If you are hesitant to try those, you may seek advise from your trusted health care provider.
These 10 tips will help you relieve heartburn and cure acid reflux but if you still feel unrelieved after taking these simple steps, you should visit your doctor and get further assessment about the severity of your acid reflux.
