Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Raise your bed
• Part 2 of 4: Preventing regurgitation
• Part 3 of 4: Getting medical treatment
• Part 4 of 4: Understanding reflux symptoms
• Tips
• Warnings

Acid reflux occurs when the stomach does not close and the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, irritating the mucous membrane and causing reflux disease. One of the best ways to avoid this is to raise your bed, either with bed risers or therapeutic pillows, which we'll cover. Read on to Step 1 below to start relieving the discomfort and pain of acid reflux.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Raise your bed

1. Choose your material. The material for raising your bed must be carefully selected. A therapeutic wedge pillow or bed raisers (regardless of material) is recommended. These aids ensure that the ideal height remains consistent every day. Here are three options:
   • The easiest way is to place a block of cement, bricks, or books at the head of your bed under the legs.
   • If that's not an option, you can buy plastic or wooden risers that provide support for the legs of the bed. There are also mattress raisers that you can place between your mattress and box spring, or on your mattress under the sheets.
   • You can also use a therapeutic wedge pillow to simulate a raised bed. It's just what it sounds like - a firmer, wedge-shaped pillow. However, these can lead to neck complaints.
2. Raise your bed to the correct height. The degree to which you are going to raise your bed must be measured accurately. Most studies suggest that the ideal bed elevation is at least 15-20 centimeters. This height has been medically proven to prevent acid reflux while lying down.
   • In reality, the higher the better. However, you should still be able to sleep comfortably. Most people experience 15-20 cm as just right.
   • A wedge pillow fixes your position while sleeping and prevents you from sliding down. Aside from possible neck pain, it is just as effective as actually raising your bed. People tend to slide off regular pillows; a wedge pillow keeps you elevated all night long.
3. Make sure your shoulder blades are also higher. The connection between the stomach and the esophagus is located roughly on the lower part of the shoulder blades. So the shoulder blades must also be raised to avoid acid reflux.
   • If the upper body is not raised, you will likely find yourself not alone still suffer from acid reflux, but it is also more difficult to lie down comfortably because of the pain in your neck and back.
4. Never use multiple pillows to lie higher. Stacked pillows can place the head at an angle that compresses the stomach. This will worsen acid reflux and only make the problems more serious.
   • Do not use regular pillows while sleeping, as they can put extra pressure on the abdomen, pushing up stomach contents. You will likely sink down as well, making it pointless in the end.
5. Understand why It works. Acid reflux is more common when we are lying down because gravity does not hold back reflux in a vertical position. The limited influence of gravity also allows the acidic contents to stay in your esophagus longer and reach your mouth with ease.
   • Raising your bed will drastically reduce contact of the lining in your esophagus with stomach acid. People with sleep disorders may also benefit.

Part 2 of 4: Preventing regurgitation

1. Don't eat right before bed. Otherwise, all your efforts may be in vain! Go to bed on an empty stomach. Avoid eating anything three hours before going to bed and not drinking anything two hours before going to bed. This can prevent acid regurgitation.
   • Prefer not to lie down immediately after eating. Wait at least three hours after eating to lie down to ensure that the food is already digested. It also gives your body time to empty the stomach.
2. Avoid fatty foods. Fatty foods, such as fried foods and fast foods, stay in the stomach longer and are generally heavy and difficult to digest. The longer stay and more content in the transition from the esophagus to the stomach promotes acid reflux.
   • Chocolates are very fat and are high in caffeine, which also stimulates acid reflux. It is also high in cocoa which promotes acid production in the stomach and acid reflux.
   • Baked foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, garlic, and onion are all known reflux triggers.
3. Chew gum. Chewing gum increases saliva production, nature's gift to reflux patients. If you know you may be eating something you shouldn't, bring a pack of gum to compensate for any potential complications.
   • Just be careful not to choose the mint flavored one. Mint promotes regurgitation by temporarily relaxing the stomach muscle valves and increasing the acid production in the stomach.
4. Wear loose-fitting clothes. When your clothes are tight, your stomach is put under pressure. This extra narrowing of the abdominal area pushes stomach acid into your esophagus, leading to the regurgitation.
   • If you're having a heavy meal or eating something that is known to trigger your acid reflux, don't wear tight clothing (including underwear) that can make the problem worse.
5. Prefer not to drink coffee and orange juice. Coffee keeps a person tense by injecting caffeine into the system. This caffeine also stimulates acid production in the stomach. Dyspepsia makes it easier for stomach contents to flow back. Anything that helps stimulate acid production should of course be avoided (such as orange juice).
   • Orange juice and other citrus drinks are rich in vitamin C or ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid increases the acidity in the stomach even more and stimulates acid reflux.
   • Caffeinated tea and soda should also be avoided to reduce acid production in the stomach.
6. Move more. Exercise helps counter the symptoms of regurgitation by relieving pressure from the stomach. 30 minutes of exercise a day should be sufficient. These 30 minutes can be divided into several sessions. For example: walk for 10 minutes three times a day.
   • Walking for 30 minutes every day makes you burn fat faster. For people who find walking boring, there are other alternatives, such as gardening, swimming, walking, walking the dog or going into town.
7. Watch your weight. Overweight and obese individuals often complain of acid reflux, as the extra fat on the abdomen compresses the stomach. This increases the pressure in the stomach and forces the contents to flow back up the esophagus. So you may be able to reduce acid reflux by losing weight.
   • Try not to overeat, so that you can not only watch your weight but also have less regurgitation. Eat smaller meals more often to maintain a desired weight and avoid overloading your stomach.
8. Stop smoking. Smoking is a known cause of acid reflux. Over time, smoking will cause serious damage and can cause esophageal cancer. Stop smoking right now for an immediate improvement in your situation.
   • There are a number of reasons why you should quit smoking in addition to reducing acid reflux. Doing this will also reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung cancer and other cancers, and you will notice that your hair, skin, nails and teeth will look healthier.

Part 3 of 4: Getting medical treatment

1. Consider antacids. Antacids, such as aluminum hydroxide magnesium hydroxide (a liquid), neutralize the acidity in the esophagus and stomach. Cool, soothing relief is noticeable as the liquid form of the agent passes through the esophagus.
   • The daily dose is usually 2-4 teaspoons (10-20 ml) taken four times a day. It is best to take these 20 minutes to an hour after a meal.
   • Antacids can have side effects, such as constipation or diarrhea.
2. Consider taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs are one of the best ways to treat reflux symptoms. It works by turning off the pump that produces hydrogen, an important part of acid in the stomach. The production of less hydrogen means less irritation to your esophagus. For maximum effect, take PPIs at least 30 minutes before breakfast.
   • The daily dose for different types of PPIs are:
     Omeprazole 20 mg once a day
     Lansoprazole 30 mg once a day
     pantoprazole 40 mg once a day
     Esomeprazole 40 mg once a day
     rabeprazole 20 mg once a day.
   • PPIs can cause side effects such as headaches, stomach aches and vomiting.
3. Consider taking H2 receptor antagonists. The sole purpose of an H2 receptor in the stomach is to produce acid. H2 receptor antagonists inhibit this production of acid. These drugs are an alternative to PPIs that your doctor can prescribe for you.
   • The daily dose for different types of H2 receptor antagonists are:
     Cimetidine 300 mg 4 times a day
     Ranitidine 150 mg twice daily
     Famotidine 20 mg twice daily
     Nizatidine 150 mg twice a day
   • The side effects of H2 receptor antagonists may include headache, constipation and diarrhea.
4. Make an appointment with your doctor for expert advice. Medical therapy is a useful addition to home remedies in relieving reflux symptoms. The agents work by neutralizing or stopping acid production. Aside from antacids (available at any pharmacy or supermarket), your doctor will know which prescription medication is best for you.
   • Acid is an important part of gastric immunity and digestive processes. Continued medical treatment can harm the digestive system. Only use medicines for longer than four weeks under the supervision of your doctor.

Part 4 of 4: Understanding reflux symptoms

1. Know that you are not alone. Reflux symptoms or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are common. Recent studies in the United States conclude that 7% of the population has to deal with reflux symptoms on a daily basis. In addition, this symptom occurs at least once a week in 15% of individuals.
   • That is not to say that there is no hope. With adequate treatment, this number would be much smaller. A lot of people just don't bother to take action. In fact, the rates of reflux symptoms were 50% higher a decade ago.
2. Understand what is going on in your body. The esophagus is a food tube that connects the mouth and the stomach. Food is mixed with acid in the stomach in preparation for proper absorption by the body. The 'sour' of 'reflux complaints' will play a role in this.
   • Normally, the stomach contents descend into the intestines as soon as the contents are ready for digestion. The two valves (muscle tissue) at the top and bottom of the esophagus prevent the acidic contents of the stomach from flowing back into the esophagus and mouth.
   • Reflux symptoms are caused by the weakening of the muscle valves at the junction from the esophagus to the stomach. The combination of the acid from the stomach juices and the food irritates the esophagus. When the situation worsens, the reflux can result in the acidic contents entering the mouth.
3. Know the risk factors. A number of things in your life can increase the risk of reflux symptoms. These are the following factors:
   • Pregnancy. The ascending uterus displaces the stomach and other abdominal contents upwards and backwards. As a result, this can cause reflux symptoms.
   • Smoking. Smoking increases the acidity of the stomach contents. In addition, it weakens the muscle valves that prevent acidic contents from reaching the esophagus.
   • Obesity. The extra fat in the abdomen puts pressure on the stomach and increases the pressure on the inside. The acidic contents can be pushed back into the esophagus when the internal stomach pressure becomes too high.
   • Tight clothes. Constriction around the abdomen increases pressure on the stomach and causes a reversal of the flow of stomach contents.
   • Heavy meals. The stomach extends in the upper part to take in extra volume. As a result, more acidic content enters the junction between the esophagus and the stomach.
   • Lie flat on your back. Lying flat on your back, especially after a meal, shifts stomach contents closer to the transition from the esophagus to the stomach.
   • Diabetes. Untreated diabetes results in damage to nerves including the vagus nerve, which is responsible for the stomach and intestines.
4. Know the symptoms. Some people are not even aware that they have symptoms of reflux. Please note the following:
   • Heartburn. Heartburn is a warm, burning sensation in the middle part of the chest. It is often felt in this place because the food tube is below the heart.
   • More saliva production. The body responds to symptoms of reflux by urging the salivary glands to make more saliva. Saliva naturally neutralizes acid.
   • Clearing the throat regularly. Clearing the throat strengthens the closing of the muscle valves in the esophagus. The esophagus and mouth are then protected by pushing back the acid.
   • A bitter taste in the mouth. Regurgitation can reach the mouth in severe cases. This is a particularly unpleasant experience due to the bitter bile taste in the mouth.
   • Difficulty swallowing. When the reflux symptoms become severe enough to damage the lining of the esophagus, it can make it difficult for the patient to swallow. The damage makes it painful when food passes through the esophagus.
   • Tooth decay. Severe reflux symptoms in which bile regularly ends up in the mouth also damages the teeth.

Tips

• There is no specific type of food that would stimulate reflux symptoms. It is best for patients to keep a food diary, because they themselves know best which type of food will aggravate the symptoms.

Warnings

• Rapid decline in the ability to swallow, coupled with unintentional weight loss, is a reason to see your doctor. This can be a symptom of cancer.
• Older people should seek immediate medical attention if they start to experience heartburn. In the elderly, a heart attack can be announced due to heartburn.