How to Avoid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux occurs when the opening between the stomach and esophagus doesn't work right and stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. The main symptom is heartburn, but there can be other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, chronic cough, chest pain, bad breath and hoarseness. Though acid reflux isn't caused by lifestyle changes, you need to change your lifestyle to avoid reflux symptoms.

Things You'll Need

• Raised headboard on bed
• Medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Change your diet. Certain foods are known to make reflux symptoms worse, including tomatoes, lemonade, orange juice, cranberries, grapefruit, raw onions, beef, buffalo wings, chicken nuggets, french fries, mashed potatoes, sour cream, salad dressing, ice cream, cottage cheese, milk, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, chocolate and peppermint. Also stay away from hot, spicy or fatty food. Coffee, tea, wine, liquor and beer also cause symptoms.

• 2

  Stop smoking. Nicotine relaxes the muscle between the stomach and esophagus, and nicotine build-up in the throat irritates the lining of the esophagus.

• 3

  Lose weight. Extra weight presses on the stomach, forcing food into the esophagus. Tight clothes also increase pressure on the abdomen, so you should wear loose clothing and eat smaller meals so your stomach empties before the food is forced back into your esophagus.

• 4

  Exercise more often. Taking a walk after eating can help food to digest quicker and gravity keeps the food in your stomach while it digests. Exercising also helps with weight loss.

• 5

  Raise the head of your bed with 4- to 8-inch blocks of wood and sleep on your left side. Wait three hours after eating before lying down.

• 6

  Take medication to avoid reflux symptoms. Proton pump inhibitors and antacids can help. There are also medicines that can irritate reflux symptoms that you can avoid, including ibuprofen, some antidepressants, sedatives and female hormones. Take liquid medicine if possible.