Acid Reflux Disease Diet – Improve Painful Symptoms

Acid Reflux Disease can be more than just an annoyance, in some cases it can be extremely painful and take the pleasure out of eating. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition in which liquid from the stomach refluxes into the esophagus, damaging the lining.

There are many books available, which offer acid reflux disease diet guidelines and natural remedies. If you have enough patience, you can develop your own custom made diet by keeping a daily food diary. By paying close attention to what foods and activities trigger painful heartburn symptoms, you can eliminate problem foods and keep the ones that are not causing any problems. It may be obvious that eating super spicy foods will cause you discomfort, but you might be surprised that eating bread could also cause digestive troubles.

Avoid spicy or greasy foods, coffee and citrus fruits and juices that are likely to cause heartburn. Eating large meals increases your chance of acid reflux, so if you are used to sitting down to three big meals a day, try instead to eat several smaller meals to get your daily calorie intake. Small meals or snacks are much easier to digest; therefore you are less likely to experience acid reflux symptoms. Avoid alcoholic beverages because they may increase the production of stomach acid. Beer and wine could be particularly irritating to someone who suffers from acid reflux. Eliminate carbonated beverages like soda from your diet. Studies have found that carbonated soft drinks are related to gastric distention, which contributes to acid reflux.

Stress can contribute to acid reflux disease, so work on learning how to relax and let go of your problems. If you spend most of your time worrying or you are experiencing anxiety problems then talk to a doctor or psychologist about possible solutions or treatments. If you are experiencing acid reflux during the night, stop drinking and eating 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. You could also try positioning yourself in a semi-upright position if laying flat worsens your symptoms. You can find pillows specially designed for those who suffer with reflux problems. If changes in diet and lifestyle are not helping then visit a doctor who can help treat your symptoms with medication.