Eat Earlier to Avoid Acid Reflux

The effects of acid reflux can be caused by any number of issues. Drinking alcohol can trigger its wrath, sleeping on a pillow that is too flat can increase its levels of pain, while genetics also play a serious role as to how severe one’s acid reflux pains can become.

But perhaps nothing triggers acid reflux as severely as to what and when we eat. Spicy foods, especially when consumed at a late hour, can cause you to toss and turn all night. Even by someone who doesn’t normally suffer from the disease. Why? As foods are digesting, gravity helps hold all our stomach functions in place. When laying down, however, those same foods (and stomach acid) is allowed to creep back up into the esophagus. This is not only uncomfortable, but painful. 

For some, these effects are even worsened by “flaps” that don’t properly hold one’s digesting food in place. Increasing the already ongoing symptoms.

A proven cure, however, comes from eating an earlier meal. By allowing the body time to digest, stomach acid can’t make its way back up through the esophagus. Choosing milder foods can also lessen the effects, but even milder meals eaten later at night can trigger acid reflux pains. To eliminate side effects altogether, plan dinner time an hour or two earlier each night. Or, if your schedule doesn’t allow, follow up with a glass of milk or a bowl of yogurt to help acidic foods settle. Sleeping on an incline, especially with the help of a specialized pillow, can also create an added level of comfort. (By increasing the angle at which acid must rise, the chances that it makes its way out of the stomach are even further reduced.)

To learn more about acid reflux or how a pillow can help, head to Contour Living today. 

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Sleeping With Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux is a condition in which the stomach acids rise up into the esophagus due to a faulty lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Some people experience the following symptoms bloating, burping, bloody or black stools, vomiting blood, hiccups, nausea, weight loss, wheezing, dry cough, hoariness or a chronic sore throat. Some people even experience dysphagia, which is a narrowing of the esophagus; this creates a sensation of food being stuck in the throat.

A lot of people who suffer from acid reflux complain that they have trouble sleeping and they cannot get a good night’s rest. This is because of the symptoms they feel resulting from the acid reflux. Not getting a good night’s sleep can lead to other health issues and loss productivity.

Here are some tips to help you deal with your acid reflux at night and hopefully you will get a good night’s rest!

1.   Change your diet, some foods and beverages are known to trigger acid reflux. These foods and beverages include:

·    Orange Juice

·    Peppermint

·    Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges

·    Spicy, fried foods and foods with a lot of fat

·    Vinegar

·    Alcohol

·    Garlic

·    Onions

·    Caffeine and carbonated beverages

·    Tomatoes and tomato products like ketchup

2.   Eat smaller meals frequently throughout the day; eating 5-6 small meals instead of 3 big meals can help control acid reflux.

3.   Wear loose fitting pajamas to bed, if you wear clothes that fit tight around your abdomen it can make your acid reflux symptoms worse.

4.   Lay on your left side, this can also help and control the acid reflux symptoms as it will align your body in a way as to not allow the acid to come back up from your stomach to your esophagus.

5.   Do not eat within 3-4 hours before you go to bed.

6.   Elevate your head to prevent the acids in your stomach from coming back up. You can use products especially made for acid reflux such as the Contour Folding WedgeCushion or the Mattress Genie adjustable bed wedge. These products can help to ease the symptoms of acid reflux, so you can get a good night’s sleep.

7.   Take medication there are over the counter medications available as well as prescription medications that you can take to help with acid reflux. Your doctor can help you decide what is right for you.

People experience acid reflux at night because they are lying down. When a person is lying down the stomach contents can easily come back up to the esophagus, if the lower esophageal sphincter is not functioning properly. If you are in the upright position your stomach contents will easily settle to the bottom of the stomach, it’s as simple as gravity. Acid reflux is curable condition when taken seriously and treated properly. If you suspect that you may have acid reflux, talk with your health care provider, he or she can perform certain tests to see if you indeed have it. They can also refer you to a specialist such as a gastroenterologist, who can also perform certain tests and he or she can help you come up with a treatment plan that is right for you. There is no need to suffer anymore, get treated as soon as possible.

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New Folding Bed Wedge Help Acid Reflux

At Contour Living keeping customers comfortable and healthy is their number one priority. That’s why they came up with the all new folding wedge cushion. The folding wedge cushion is designed to support the head and chest in an upright, slightly angled position comfortably. This design allows anybody to keep their  upper body raised during sleep.

This design provides many benefits to the user, such as providing a raised body position which is recommended forreducing symptoms from acid reflux, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), heartburn and other digestive conditions. Acid Reflux is a condition in which the stomach acids rise up into the esophagus; this is caused by a faulty valve that separates the stomach contents from the esophagus. GERD is short for gastroesophageal reflux disease and is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach backs up into the esophagus.

Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart, but rather is an irritation of the esophagus caused by acid that comes up from the stomach. Heartburn is also a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease which is more serious in nature.

By using the folding wedge you can prevent the acids from coming up into your esophagus, because the folding wedge will elevate your head and chest in an upright position. This is of great benefit to the user and can provide a restful and comfortable sleep. Normally when patients are diagnosed with any of the above conditions they are advised to keep their heads elevated and not lay down right after a meal.

Even if you don’t have any known condition, the folding wedge provides gentle support to help you sleep comfortably. The wedge is designed to fold fast in a compact fashion which makes it easier to store. The folding wedge provides gradual support, eases breathing and sinus pressure and also soothes muscle tension and helps support the spine. As you can see the folding wedge has many benefits and can make a great gift to anyone.

The folding wedge is available in 3 heights 7 inch, 10 inch and 12 inch. Each wedge cushion is 32” long for a gradual incline and 24” wide for one person to use; this is longer than any of their competitor’s wedges. The folding wedge comes with zippered velour cover and is machine washable.

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