How Can I Prevent Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux also known as acidity is a condition that occurs when acid produced in the stomach enters the esophagus. Esophagus is a tube made from muscles that connects throat and stomach. One of the very common symptoms of acid reflux is heartburn i.e. burning near lower chest. Other symptom includes irritation in the food pipe and sour food taste in the back of the mouth, wheezing or coughing, chest pain and difficulty in swallowing. In medical term, acid reflux is also called as GERD or gastro esophageal reflux disease.

Acid reflux is not considered a problem unless it occurs very often like thrice or more every week. Medication and lifestyle changes can help in preventing this painful health condition. Let us take a look on some of the ways by which one can prevent acid reflux:

1. Chew Gum to Prevent Acid Reflux

   Chewing gums helps in activating the salivary glands present in the mouth for producing excess amount of saliva. Saliva is very effective in neutralizing the acid produced in the esophagus, this helps in swallowing the acid down in the stomach. As chewing gums have high sugar content so it may lead to increase sugar level in the body and also causes severe damage to tooth enamel. Hence, it is recommended to chew sugar free gums for keeping the tooth enamel healthy and maintaining sugar in the body and prevent acid reflux.

2. Keep the Head Elevated While Sleeping to Prevent Acid Reflux

   The problem of acid reflux becomes worst especially in the night time when the body is in horizontal position. This is because this way more acid tends to enter the esophagus. Hence, experts suggest using pillows to keep the head and shoulders elevated. Head should be minimum six inches above the body level.

3. Slow Eating Will Surely Help in Keeping Acid Reflux at Bay

   Research has revealed that people who eat fast or swallow half or roughly chewed food are more prone to suffer from acid reflux. This happens because gulping the food directly without chewing makes it difficult to digest that food for longer time. This ultimately leads to acid reflux or acidity. Hence, eating the food slowly and chewing the food grains properly helps in preventing acid reflux.

4. Another Way to Prevent Acid Reflux is By Eating Apple Cider Vinegar

   Majority of people worldwide follow this simple remedy religiously every day to prevent acid reflux. Before every meal, intake of a tablespoon of ACV i.e. apple cider vinegar helps in balancing the body PH and also facilitated better digestion.

5. Eat Small Meal Portions to Restrict Acid Reflux

   Eating large meals at once puts excess pressure on Lower ES i.e. esophageal sphincter. Also, taking heavy meals leads to bloating and acid reflux. Hence, it is better to take multiple small meal portions than one heavy meal. This also eases the digestion process and helps in better digestion. This is not the end, eating small meals also helps in maintaining good health and facilitated better weight management in every individual.

6. No Late Night Snacking to Block Acid Reflux

   Medical professional recommend eating last meal of the day minimum before three hours before going to bed. This prevents occurrence of nighttime acid reflux and other painful symptoms.

7. Sleep on Your Left Side to Keep Acid Reflux from Happening

   Studies conducted by experts indicate that sleeping on the left side minimizes the symptoms as compared to when sleeping on the right side. There is no valid evidence on the effectiveness of this trick but people suffer from acid reflux have experienced drastic benefit from this trick.

8. Eat Low Fat Food to Keep Acid Reflux from Continuing

   Intake of food items high in fat content leads to acid reflux. This is the reason why it is always recommended to eat low fat or fat free food for maintaining better health and preventing acid reflux or acidity.

   All the above mentioned preventive measures are simple but are very effective in the long run.