Acidity is a term used for a set of symptoms that occur due to the excess production of acid by the stomach. Normally, acid production is necessary for the breakdown and digestion of food. However, excess acid secretion causes issues like heartburn, gastric inflammation and stomach ulcers. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to ease the symptoms of acidity. In this article, we’ll explore how to avoid acidity.
Tips to Prevent Acidity
If you're wondering how to prevent acid reflux or alleviate heartburn symptoms, here are proven remedies to help you find relief:
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Identify Trigger Foods:
Keep a detailed food journal to identify the specific foods and drinks that trigger your heartburn. Once you know your triggers, avoid them whenever possible. Mostly, foods like citrus fruits, carbonated drinks and high fat foods are known to cause acidity.
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Avoid Lying Flat After Eating:
Refrain from lying down immediately after a meal, as it can worsen your symptoms. When you lie down in bed, the level of your throat and stomach becomes almost equal. This makes it effortless for stomach acids to rise through your esophagus, resulting in the discomfort of heartburn. So, allow at least 2-3 hours for your stomach to digest before lying down.
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Practice Mindful Eating:
Avoid overeating or rushing through your meals, especially before bedtime. These habits can increase the pressure on your esophagus valve, leading to acid reflux and heartburn. Take small bites, chew your food well, and take pauses in between courses.
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Manage Your Weight:
If you're overweight, shedding extra weight can help lower your chance of developing acid reflux. Increased pressure in the stomach caused by excess abdominal fat can cause acid and other digestive juices to backflow. To maintain a healthy weight, emphasise eating a balanced diet and doing frequent exercise.
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Elevate Your Sleeping Position:
Raising your head and chest above your feet can help prevent or ease acid reflux. Try using a thick foam pillow under your mattress to get the required elevation. However, avoid piling up pillows, as they may aggravate your symptoms.
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Sleep on Your Left Side:
Stomach anatomy, gravity, and the angle at which the stomach connects to the oesophagus are all factors that contribute to lessening reflux symptoms when you sleep on your left side. This is a somewhat challenging method, so it may take some getting accustomed to.
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Opt for Loose-Fitting Clothing:
Tight belts and clothing can place pressure on your stomach, causing stomach acid to move upward through your oesophagus, resulting in heartburn. Instead, choose loose-fitting attire whenever possible to reduce discomfort.
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Quit Smoking:
Smoking causes a decline in the strength of the oesophageal sphincter, the valve that keeps acid in the stomach. Smoking also allows the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. You can thus reduce the frequency and severity of these symptoms, and even eliminate them if you quit smoking.
Conclusion
If you were wondering how to avoid acid reflux, we hope this article has helped. There are measures you can take to manage the symptoms and prevent serious issues from occuring. Adjusting your food, staying at a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, and making a few other minor lifestyle adjustments can all help to balance out your stomach acid production. In the end, it all boils down to developing a customised plan that helps prevent acidity in with the help of a healthcare provider.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.
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