Are you one of the thousands of people who suffer from heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux? When the passage between your oesophagus and your stomach doesn’t close properly, it allows stomach acid to head back up the oesophagus, causing incredible discomfort, a bad taste in your mouth and terrifying pains in your chest.
If this is something you struggle with after every meal, late at night or it’s having a negative impact on your life then you should speak with your doctor. In the past, many sufferers would be prescribed a drug called Zantac, which would quell the problems associated with gastroesophageal reflux. However, due to fears for patient safety many of these products have been recalled – click the link to find out which Zantac has been recalled.
So, with this in mind, it’s certainly worth experimenting with completely natural methods to alleviate your reflux problems. Or a simple change in your eating and lifestyle habits could also make a positive difference.
Slow down and enjoy your meals
When food is good, we want to eat it as quickly as possible. And when we’re hungry, your plate empties twice as fast! It’s much better to take your time with your meals and eat slowly. This gives your stomach time to work on its digestion and your stomach acid won’t charge it’s way back up your oesophagus.
Be wary of trigger foods
There might be a certain food that triggers your reflux. So, consider taking steps to figure out what they might be. Keeping a food diary is incredibly helpful, here. And take note of foods that have a reputation for triggering acid reflux and bloating such as:
- Spicy foods
- Fatty foods
- Tea and caffeinated drinks
- Garlic
- Onions
- Alcohol
Keep yourself upright
Be mindful of your posture after eating a meal. This helps to keep your stomach acid where it should be. So, always avoid eating too late and enjoying an afternoon nap after a heavy lunch! Sadly, that means leaving those midnight snacks behind you as well.
Are you smoking?
Smoking works as a relaxant that can have an impact on the passage between your stomach and your oesophagus, also known as your oesophageal sphincter. When this part of your digestive system is relaxed then it won’t work very hard to keep your stomach acid where it belongs. Quitting smoking for good has lots of health benefits, but if you’re suffering from reflux, giving up your cigarettes may certainly help.
Wait to work out
It’s the age-old question – do you eat before a workout, or after? Often it comes down to personal preference, but if your acid reflux is causing you issues, you should avoid eating a meal and then taking part in a strenuous workout. This kind of movement can release your acid into your oesophagus.
Final thoughts…
If you’re living with gastroesophageal reflux, it doesn’t have to be this way! Reach out to your doctor for further advice.
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