Chances are you or someone you know suffers or will suffer from acid reflux. It’s an incredibly common condition. Acid Reflux is the term used to describe when stomach acid quite literally backs up into your esophagus. When this happens on a regular basis, it’s referred to as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD for short. Painful symptoms can follow; abdomen pain, heartburn, bloating and worse. Although many people experience acid reflux, there are numerous causes and therefore many things that may help.
Finding What Triggers Your Acid Reflux
The first step in your quest for acid reflux relief is self awareness. Take note of what you eat, when you eat and habits that you have surrounding eating and drinking. Also consider what medications you take. Arming yourself with this information can help you and your doctor pinpoint the things that you do that increase your likelihood of experiencing an acid reflux episode. For example, if you notice that your acid reflux occurs when you lay down after meals, your doctor may simply recommend you avoid doing so. If your acid reflux happens as you sleep, your doctor may recommend avoiding the flat position. According to Rest Right Mattress, sleeping with your head elevated allows gravity to work to push the acid back down. Taking an honest inventory of yourself may be difficult. No one wants to admit they are overweight but this is one aspect that may impact your risk for acid reflux. If you smoke, the risk is higher than if you don’t as well. Some of the possible causes have easy solutions, while others will take a great deal of self control such as losing weight or quitting smoking.
As you narrow down possible causes to your personal acid reflux problem, you’ll find that food is central to the subject. Some foods aggravate the issue and therefore should be avoided. Large meals may also be a culprit. Eating smaller meals or avoiding specific foods could help you avoid acid reflux occurrences. Some people will find spicy foods intolerable while others will be more heavily influenced by citrus fruits or caffeine. It all goes back to self evaluation. While acid reflux does affect many people, it affects each person differently with varying symptoms and differing causes.
Partner with Your Doctor
When it comes to your health, it is important to be proactive. Acid Reflux is a progressive condition. Because the stomach acid is corrosive to the lining in your esophagus, the more it is exposed, the worse the symptoms may become. In order to avoid unnecessary pain, meet with your doctor early to discuss your symptoms. This is one matter that can likely be addressed with simple lifestyle changes.
