Did you know that more than 60 million people in the United States suffer regularly from acid indigestion each year, not counting the millions who suffer only occasional attacks? Many of these people have the erroneous belief that there is nothing they can do to treat their acid reflux symptoms. Fortunately there are a few simple things you can try that may help to reduce your acid reflux symptoms.
Many people suffer from heartburn primarily at night. We tend to have gravity on our side, which helps keep stomach acid where it belongs; in our stomachs. At night, however, we lose this advantage. While we are lying down, acid has an easier time passing through the lower esophageal sphincter and into the esophagus.
To reduce your acid indigestion, try raising your head and shoulders six inches from the surface of the bed with pillows. While a few normal pillows work fine, some people recommend trying an ergonomically correct acid reflux pillow.
Another effective approach of reducing your acid reflux symptoms is to avoid eating large meals within 3 hours of your normal bedtime. When you consume a large meal, your stomach has to kick it into overdrive, producing large quantities of acid to digest that meal. Additionally, the extra pressure that is placed upon the lower esophageal sphincter can cause it to relax inappropriately, thus leading acid leakage.
A final approach may to reconsider the types of foods that you eat. Some people have a tendency to be more sensitive to certain foods than others are. A few common food triggers include hot or spicy foods, fatty foods, chocolate, citrus fruits and tomatoes. If you are uncertain to the foods that cause heartburn consider keeping a food journal. A few hours after each meal jot down in your journal how much you ate, how you feel and whether or not you got heartburn.
It is important to remember that acid reflux symptoms may be a sign of more serious underlying medical conditions. If your acid indigestion continues, or gets worse, you should seek the advice of a qualified medical personnel.
