Are you struggling with acid reflux? Read on for our top 10 life hacks to make managing reflux symptoms easier.
1. Eat small meals
The more food you put in your stomach the more likely that it will reflux. Large meals promote regurgitation. Try eating on a smaller plate to limit portion size and avoid second portions.
2. Avoid acidic foods
Exogenous (external) sources of acid (acidic food and beverage) can activate the proteolytic enzyme and cause throat and esophageal pain and damage.
3. Chew bicarbonate gum
Baking soda gum can help neutralize acidic reflux. In addition, gum chewing promotes saliva production. Saliva is the bodies natural antacid. The increased saliva will be swallowed and neutralize reflux.
4. Avoid carbonated beverages
The bubbles in these drinks increase the amount of gas in the stomach which cause burping and reflux.
5. Avoid tight fitting clothing
Tight clothing puts pressure on your diaphragm and stomach and promotes regurgitation and reflux. This is especially true in persons with hiatal hernia.
6. Close your kitchen at 6 pm
Avoid eating late meals and snacks. Eating before lying down is a common cause of reflux. On average it takes appropriately 4 hours for food to digest in the stomach. If you lay down with food in your stomach, it is more likely to reflux and come back up. Eat early and avoid late snacks. It’s that simple.
7. Limit alcohol
Booze relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter and leads to reflux. In addition, alcohol reduces inhibitions and causes us to eat larger quantities and eat unhealthy food and snacks.
8. Diet and exercise
Obesity is a primary cause of reflux. Exercise and lose weight and your reflux will improve.
9. Swallow
Esophageal peristalsis is a primary way that reflux is reversed and pushed back into the stomach. Simply swallowing will initiate an esophageal contraction and clear a reflux event. If necessary take a small sip of water to make it easier to swallow.
10. Use alginate therapy
The alginate therapy used in 100% all natural Reflux Gourmet will provide a protective coating on the throat and esophagus and will form a protective raft in the stomach to actually prevent reflux.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Reflux Gourmet.
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