Preventing Of Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is when acid leaks or refluxes into the esophagus or simply known as the gullet. When food is ingested, it passes down the esophagus and into the stomach where the tiny stomach cells in its lining and secrete acid and other chemicals that digest the food. You may ask yourself how they don’t get damaged by this acids and chemicals. Well, thats because they also secrete mucus which protects them from being ruined by the acid and digesting chemicals. It causes some symptoms like heartburns, pain in the upper abdomen and chest or even a nasty acidic taste in the mouth, among others. This may seem like an endless nightmare but it can easily be avoided by following some simple dos and donts s.
1. Eating smaller portions of meals.
Eating huge amounts of food will automatically leave you feeling full and lazy and this will put extra pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter or LES in short, and some food will reflux into the esophagus. The stomach will try to digest all this food, leading to excess acid production that will cause major discomfort and pain. It is therefore advisable to eat small quantities of food in order to prevent the food from being too much in the stomach that may lead to its reflux. Chewing thoroughly of the food will make it softer, strengthen the LES and allow your body to know when you get full faster.
2. Sleeping on the left side or having gone to sleep with upper body raised.
This may seem too simple to be a prevention measure and is usually taken very lightly or ignored. It is recommended by doctors as it provides relief and keeps the stomach below the esophagus, safe from pressure that would have caused acid reflux. All this is thanks to gravity. Raising the head with a standard elevation height of 6-8 inches can be done using place or wooden bed risers. This however must not be exaggerated as too much rising will cause neck pains.
3. Limiting and avoiding acidic foods and beverages or drinks
Seizing from eating foods and beverages that containing acid or that often cause heartburns. In the fruit category, the fruits to avoid are oranges, lemons, grapefruits, cranberry and tomatoes and their juices. Raw onions, macaroni and cheese, Buffalo wings, liquor, wine, coffee, tea, corn chips and potato chips should all be avoided too. The irresistible chocolate, ice cream, dough nuts, brownies and milk shakes sadly continuing the ‘do not eat’ list.
4. Not eating two or three hours before bedtime
Refluxed food can be caused by sleeping slightly after you eat. This is because the stomach contents press hard against the lower esophageal sphincter and this makes the food reflux. Giving your stomach enough time to properly digest the food is why eating more than three hours before your bedtime is emphasized.
5. Keeping a healthy weight
About 35 percent of the overweight or obesity stricken people experience heartburns. This is because the fat in their body increases the abdominal pressure and pushes the stomach contents into the esophagus. Those who have lost weight automatically reduce the heartburns and risks of getting acid reflux.
6. Avoid torturing your waist with tight fitting clothes or tight belts
Tight clothes or belts around the tummy will squeeze it, forcing food up the LES and reflux into the esophagus. Loose fitting garments or free flowing clothes will not only make you feel comfortable but also save you from the pain that comes with acid reflux.
7. Keep away from smoking and drinking
As I had mentioned earlier, wine and liquor should be avoided because they contain acid and will cause heartburns. For those who insist they can’t live without drinking, you can try diluting your drink, moderate your drinking, taking white wine instead of red and avoiding those specific brands that give you heartburns. Smoking is even worse. Nicotine relaxes the esophageal sphincter, making it not to work properly and does further damage by stimulating more production of acid in the stomach. Avoiding smoking will save not only your lungs, but also your tummy.
8. Increase your protein consumption
Proteins are not known as the body building foods for nothing. They help in the building of block muscles in the body and increasing their intake will strengthen the muscle responsible for keeping acid in the stomach and allowing food to be digested and thus avoiding acid reflux.
9. Heartburn record keeping
Keeping track of the foods you eat will show you what foods to give you heartburns and should be avoided, which ones should be taken in small quantities and those that are safe to eat. People have different bodies and what might be good for your partner or child might not necessarily be good for you.
10. Breath and relax
Stress can make the body very weak and changes the blood flow. This means that the body channels more blood to the arms and legs, leaving the stomach without enough blood to function properly. Slow digestion then takes place and the undigested food pushed up to the LES thus acid reflux.
11. Drink water
Taking water after every meal is a habit many people should adopt. Water cleans the LES and creates a tight seal, preventing any acid reflux from occurring.
in conclusion, with all these forms of protection outlined, you can kiss acid reflux goodbye and maintain a healthy body.
