Managing Acid Reflux

Don’t Let Acid Reflux Interrupt Your Life!

Why Does Acid Reflux in the Summer Seem Worse?

Jun 10

Posted by Managing Acid Reflux in Managing Acid Reflux

managingacidrefluxcom_acid_reflux_in_the_summerAcid reflux symptoms seem worse in the summer because they typically are. When it is lighter later people tend to have dinner later in the evening or enjoy a refreshing snack before bed. The food they consumed simply hasn’t had enough time to fully digest and may still be in the stomach. Lying down to go to sleep exposes the esophagus to those digestive acids, thus causing heartburn or acid reflux.

Citrus and other high-acid foods and drinks are in season during the summer and seem to be especially satisfying. So, we eat more of them. Summertime activities such as grilling increase our exposure to acidic foods. Many people grill fatty foods, tomatoes, onions, pineapple and even citrus. Many people will double their consumption of the acidic foods without even realizing it.

The most refreshing drinks also seem to be the ones that trigger acid reflux. Alcohol, fruit juices, iced tea and other delicious tasting cold drinks often contain some sort of acid-triggering component, whether it is sugar, yeast or acid.

Acid reflux in the summer seems worse because it actually is most of the time! Fear not though – there are plenty of alternatives for combating acid reflux.

First, drink more water. Throw a few ice cubes in and voila! – a delicious and refreshing cold drink. Alternate your alcoholic or sugary drinks with a glass of water in between. It will also help keep you hydrated if you are sitting in the sun.

Second, incorporate lower acid foods into your daily diet. Yogurt is acidic, but will help to control the acid in your stomach and intestines. Salads are also good, as long as you limit the tomatoes and dressing. Try dipping your bites into a small serving of dressing instead of pouring it over the salad.

Third, eat/drink your citrus earlier in the day. You can take an antacid before you eat, or if you are drinking acidic fruit juice, replace a quarter or half of the juice with water.

Summer is one of the best times of the year. Fun in the sun, right? Just as you make smart decisions about protecting your skin from sunburn, internalize (literally) those decisions and protect your stomach, esophagus and intestines from burning acid.

Many people keep a ready supply of gentle antacids around. Taken as prescribed on the box will not cause harm to your body. If you know you will be eating foods that bother your stomach, try to eat them as early as possible in the day, prevent the symptoms instead of treating them, and drink plenty of water. You know what to do!

Share this Post[?]
        

Tags:

No Comments

Do Children Get Acid Reflux?

Jun 8

Posted by Managing Acid Reflux in Managing Acid Reflux

Feeling sick

Acid reflux is commonly known as something adults suffer from, but more parents are finding that children get acid reflux as well. As awareness increases, parents and doctors are able to detect and treat the reflux before it causes any damage.

Acid reflux can even occur in infants. Colic became a general term for a lot of the unknown discomfort an infant was having. More realistically, those babies had acid reflux and not colic.

Thankfully, the causes for symptoms of acid reflux are pretty universal. Adults and children may have acid reflux symptoms when they lie down, bend over or over eat. Many stores offer mild antacids that are safe for children to consume.

It’s hard to say if anyone really outgrows acid reflux symptoms. Diet and body chemistry vary too much to make an absolute statement. As children are introduced to new foods, their bodies may react to it by triggering acid reflux, nausea or some sort of allergic reaction. Watch your children carefully after they try new foods and listen to their complaints if they are in discomfort afterward. You may be able to treat their discomfort immediately without leaving home.

One of the biggest reasons children get acid reflux is from the food and drinks they consume. Sugary drinks and foods may trigger acid reflux, as may certain candies and chocolate. Whether your child suffers from acid reflux or not, make sure they are consuming enough water and milk on a daily basis. Spicy foods and caffeinated drinks are common causes of acid reflux in children.

Luckily, a lot of the causes of acid reflux in children can be eliminated at home. Incorporating a variety of low acid foods into their diet will reduce or eliminate the possibility for acid reflux. If and when it does happen, try treating it with a mild antacid (milk works great) and explaining to your child what probably caused the symptoms.

Hormonal changes can also trigger acid reflux. If your child is going through a growth spurt or starting puberty they may experience acid reflux more often. By now they should know what foods tend to trigger their reflux and alternatives they can eat instead.

Share this Post[?]
        

Tags:

No Comments

Natural Remedies for Treating Acid Reflux

Jun 8

Posted by Managing Acid Reflux in Managing Acid Reflux

Heartburn pain Heartburn pain Heartburn pain

Treating acid reflux is important to reduce the possibility of internal damage. If you don’t like taking pills for this or for that, there are a lot of natural remedies for treating acid reflux. There are some natural products available in the marketplace, but we suggest you start at home.

Your diet is one of the best natural remedies for treating acid reflux. What kinds of foods do you cook with? How about what you snack on? Many people don’t realize they are perpetuating their acid reflux symptoms by continually eating foods that trigger it.

You probably know some of the foods that trigger acid reflux, such as citrus, tomatoes, and peppers, but did you know chocolate is also known to cause acid reflux. A massive disappointment for us chocolate lovers!

First, document what you consume on a daily basis. Include the seasonings you use while cooking and any dressings or sauces. Doing this for a few weeks will allow you to detect a pattern in when you typically get acid reflux, and what foods may be causing it.

Once you have learned which foods cause acid reflux, try reducing your consumption of that food by a fourth. Supplement with lower or non acidic foods or drinks. Eating smart is one of the best natural remedies for treating acid reflux.

Did you know eating quickly can cause acid reflux? Whenever possible, slow down your consumption. Take smaller bites and concentrate on chewing them carefully. Drinking water while you are eating will help you feel fuller and the food digest easier.

Slowing your intake will also (hopefully) allow you to eat less and still feel full. We have watched the suggested serving sizes of our meals balloon over the years. Overeating is a trigger for acid reflux. Eating slower will give your mind to tell your body ‘I’m full’.

If you are accustomed to eating large quantities, have a few healthy options around for snacks. Eat just enough to tide you over until the next meal. Another way to reduce overeating is to serve and eat your meals on smaller plates. Your plate will have that same full look, without containing the additional food you don’t need.

Drinking water also helps overeating as well as being a natural remedy for acid reflux. Reduce or eliminate the caffeinated and sugar drinks you consume. There are plenty of varieties of flavored waters out there if you want the feel of drinking a soda or sugary drink without the consequences.

Share this Post[?]
        

Tags:

No Comments

You May Be Suffering From Acid Reflux and You Don’t Even Know It!

Jun 8

Posted by Managing Acid Reflux in Managing Acid Reflux

managing-acid-refluxcom_suffering_from_acid_reflux

Acid reflux can occur at any time, to anyone. If you have never had acid reflux before, you may not recognize the symptoms at first. You will probably brush it off as ‘something you ate’.

Acid reflux can occur at any time, to anyone. If you have never had acid reflux before, you may not recognize the symptoms at first. You will probably brush it off as ‘something you ate’.

Acid reflux will eventually go away on its own, but is much better for your body to treat it right away. The most common symptom of acid reflux is a burning sensation in your stomach or chest. You may need to belch often, which often tastes and smells acidic.

If you have ever felt a burning sensation after eating, you may be suffering from acid reflux. Luckily it is easily treatable and most over the counter antacids eliminate it quickly.

There are different forms of acid reflux. A common one is called Dyspepsia, which may include stomach or abdomen pain, a feeling of fullness even long after you have finished, and occasionally nausea.

Another common symptom is acid indigestion, but better known as heartburn. Heartburn is a burning pain that moves up from your stomach into your chest or throat. Fortunately, heartburn has no affect on your heart.

A third common symptom of acid reflux is Regurgitation. Unfortunately, it sounds like what it is. This symptom produces a bitter or sour taste and can cause stomach acid to come back up into the mouth. If you suspect you may be suffering from acid reflux, analyzing the symptoms is a good place to start. Untreated acid reflux can cause damage to the lining of your stomach and esophagus.

Acid reflux is very common and when treated, typically not serious. If you experience the symptoms of acid reflux, or the over-the-counter remedies do not work, consult with your doctor immediately.

Acid reflux typically occurs after eating a large or heavy meal, when lying down (especially on your back) and when bending over. Take some preventive measures by reducing your meal sizes, using your legs to lift or squatting when you bend down, and elevating yourself on a few pillows if you like to sleep on your back.

The foods you eat may also cause acid reflux. Citrus, chocolate, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, fried food, garlic, onions, tomatoes and even peppermint can cause acid reflux. If you will be eating these foods, try to combine them with other foods that are lower in acidity. Drinking water helps to decrease the symptoms substantially.

Share this Post[?]
        

Tags: , , ,

No Comments

What Causes Acid Reflux During Pregnancy?

Jun 7

Posted by Managing Acid Reflux in Managing Acid Reflux

managingacidrefluxcom_acidrefluxduringpregnancy2Pregnancy causes a woman’s body to change in a variety of ways. For most women, the changes are welcome and exciting. Unfortunately, some changes may trigger discomfort such as nausea and acid reflux.

What causes acid reflux during pregnancy is hormonal changes. Sometimes, the hormones cause additional acid to produce in the stomach, thus causing the acid reflux. Another common cause of acid reflux during pregnancy is an increased consumption of food.

Whether pregnant or not, acid reflux is uncomfortable. There are a variety of over the counter products to prevent and treat the symptoms, but its occurrence can, and is often, a recurring cycle. People must eat to avoid starvation or malnutrition, but when they eat they get heartburn; also known as acid reflux. It’s a delicate balance without the added burden of pregnancy.

As the fetus grows, it puts an ever increasing pressure on the stomach area. This can cause stomach acid to move up into the esophagus. As the pressure increases, the acid reflux symptoms also increase for most pregnant women. Making smart food choices and mild antacids usually take care of the symptoms.

Unfortunately, acid reflux during pregnancy is completely normal and just part of the process for a majority of pregnant women. Antacids taken as prescribed have shown not to cause harm to the fetus, but they can be high in sodium.

The best way to combat acid reflux during pregnancy is to avoid foods that are high in acid. Peppers, and many citrus fruits and juices contain an extremely high amount of acid, and can cause mild to severe discomfort for hours after they are eaten.

Eating smaller meals also allows the body to digest the food properly while still extracting the necessary nutritional value. Most pregnant women do consume more food during pregnancy than they normally would, but smart food choices will help mom and baby both.

Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to reduce acid reflux during managingacidrefluxcom_acid_reflux_during_pregnancy2pregnancy. Gentle liquids like milk and even water can eliminate acid reflux. Orange juice, cranberry juice and pomegranate juice are wonderful for the body but can trigger severe acid reflux. Cutting these juices with water helps, as does reducing the quantity consumed.

Acid reflux during pregnancy often rears its ugly head when mom is sleeping. Elevating your head and shoulders helps keep the acid out of the esophagus. You certainly don’t have to sleep sitting up, but several inches of elevation will make a huge difference.

Acid reflux during pregnancy is common for a majority of pregnant women. Get advice from your doctor about how to best treat it. Making smart food choices will also help reduce its severity and occurrence, but may not eliminate it altogether.

Share this Post[?]
        

Tags: ,

No Comments