While acid reflux is a lifelong, chronic illness, there are some simple procedures that you can follow to ensure that the problem will not affect you in a big way. In this article, we’ll discuss ways for keeping acid reflux conditions tame.
One of the best things that you can do to limit the affects of acid reflux is to eat smaller meals more often. When you keep to a diet pattern that involves little meals at frequent intervals throughout the day, you decrease the chance of causing a back-up in your stomach. Having less food in your stomach also helps to put less stress on the LES muscles which are responsible for closing the passageway between the esophagus and the stomach. One important thing to note is that acid reflux’s affect on your body is increased when you eat certain acid-creating foods. It’s important to avoid citrus fruits, potatoes, raw onions, ground beef, buffalo wings, chicken nuggets and thick dairy products such as ice cream or cottage cheese. Other foods with that increase the acid in your system include macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, any type of liquor or wine, coffee, tea, and certain salad dressings. If you can avoid eating these foods as much as possible, you’ll be doing your body a favor and decreasing your chance of encountering heartburn.
Another thing to consider is when you are eating your meals. For those with acid reflux, it is recommended to eat your last meal at least two to three hours before you go to bed. This is important due to the fact that lying down causes added pressure to be put on the LES muscles, increasing the chance of reflux. Simply elevating your head with extra pillows can help to decrease acid reflux as well, since gravity weighs on the LES muscles when you are lying down flat. Keeping in shape is another important aspect to consider if you have a reflux condition. When overweight, the abdomen pushes on the stomach, causing excess fluid to be pushed into the esophagus.
A study that was conducted on acid reflux showed that a full thirty five percent of all overweight people experience heartburn. Other important lifestyle factors to monitor are your consumption of alcohol and smoking. Nicotine, the most active ingredient in cigarettes, causes a relaxation of the esophageal sphincter, allowing fluids to roam freely. Smokers also experience an increased buildup of acid in their stomachs. While not as visible as other factors, stress can also play a hand in an acid reflux condition.
When trying to treat your acid reflux condition, it is generally a good idea to keep a record of your progress. Record when and why you experienced acid reflux so that you can better understand which behaviors to avoid in the future. After you get a good baseline for exactly what is causing your reflux conditions, consult a doctor to get a professional opinion on what you should do to avoid future problems with this chronic illness.
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