Acid reflux is nothing to joke about. You’d feel better if you looked for advice that can solve this problem. Read on for top tips on controlling acid reflux. Drink before and not during meals. Doing this also combats feelings of hunger, since you’re probably thirsty rather than hungry. In addition, doing so will help your stomach and will keep the acid down. You reduce your chances of experiencing GERD if you maintain a normal weight. This condition occurs when fat weighs down on the stomach. When you lose that weight, you will find the sphincter works properly by keeping stomach acid from rising up. Do not smoke if you suffer from acid reflux. Your stomach acid is increased by nicotine and this will make acid reflux worse. Quitting cold turkey can cause stress and worsen your symptoms. Instead, quitting should be a gradual effort. Working out right after a meal will not help your acid reflux; in fact, it will make it worse. Contractions of the lower stomach during exercise can cause undigested food to be forced upwards in the esophagus. Wait an hour or more following a meal to exercise. Somtimes acid reflux is extremely painful and causes the sufferer to believe a heart attack is in progress. Don’t ever make the mistake of ignoring serious pain in your chest. You very well could be having a heart attack. Call your doctor immediately to find out what to do. You could have a serious issue on your hands and not even know it. Alcohol is another no-no. Alcohol causes stomach acid to build and can also deteriorate the lining of the stomach, leading to acid reflux. If you’re socializing with friends, limit alcohol consumption to remain feeling good. Take your time during your meal to prevent acid reflux. Do not eat more than what makes you full. Chew each bite many times and enjoy the taste. The faster you eat, the worse you’ll feel when done. If you find this difficult, place your fork back on the table between bites. When pregnant, the fetus can push on the stomach and cause acid reflux. Ask your doctor for ways to treat this. This is especially important for those near the end of pregnancy. Were you already aware that food with acid and alkaline are unrelated to a food’s pH level? Some seemingly acidic foods (e.g. lemons) may be quite alkaline when digested. This can be confusing when you have acid reflux. Understand how pH changes in the body. The last meal of each day should be consumed three hours prior to bedtime. For instance, if your bedtime is 10 PM, eat the final meal by 7 PM. The reason for this is that acid reflux occurs when you lie down with a full stomach which places excessive pressure on the LES muscle. Consequently, the acid reflux will emerge. It’s time to try out all that you have now learned. Don’t let it get the better of you. Use the tips in this article to eliminate it from your life.…