Have you ever experienced a pain in the center of your chest after eating or while you sleep? This is one of the symptoms associated with acid reflux. To learn more about acid reflux, keep reading. The article below will help you learn about acid reflux and how to manage it.


Stay away from acidic foods. They can both cause and exacerbate acid reflux. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, try to avoid oranges, tomatoes, grapefruit and vinegar. If you can't cut them out of your diet completely, at least try to avoid eating them in the evenings, so acid reflux doesn't strike when it is time for bed.


When your symptoms are at their worst, mix 1 teaspoon of regular baking soda with eight ounces of water. Drink this slowly, one sip at a time, until your symptoms subside. Do NOT do this every day as baking soda contains a great deal of sodium which can lead to a myriad of other health problems.


When you want to reach for a natural treatment for heartburn, consider licorice. You need to choose DGL licorice which doesn't contain glycyrrhizic acid and therefore will not cause hypertension. Chewable tablets are your best bet before meals, and they can be found affordably at natural food retailers and health supplement shops.


Try to keep yourself elevated when going to bed. Sometimes it could be enough to just add a pillow or two to help you. However, sometimes you may need to have pillows or cushions set up to help you sleep in a sitting position. You might also want to consider sleeping in a recliner on some of your bad days.


Avoid alcohol if you suffer from acid reflux. Alcohol not only causes acid to build up within your stomach, but can deteriorate your stomach lining, which can lead to acid reflux. If you are headed out for a night on the town, limit the alcoholic drinks you ingest to minimize the potential for reflux later.


If you suffer from acid reflux should try to limit the amount of beverages that you consume with your meals. The liquid will increase stomach distension and will add volume to your food. This puts more pressure on your esophagus. When there is more pressure on your esophagus, it is harder to keep your food down.


Reduce the fat in your diet. Excess fat causes your LES muscle to relax, which delays stomach emptying. As a result, acid reflux is more likely to occur. Therefore, if you consume lots of fried foods, substitute them for leaner, grilled options. This is not only good for your acid reflux, but also for your overall health.


Acid reflux can be difficult to deal with. If you watch what you eat you can alleviate many of the symptoms. Avoiding fatty foods is very important. Fatty steaks, chicken wings, deep fried foods and pizza are all high in fat. These fats make your stomach work harder and increase the likelihood of acid reflux symptoms.


Give yourself at least three hours after eating dinner before you hit the sack. You have to be able to digest before lying down. You will probably wake up with acid reflux if you go to sleep within three hours after your dinner.


Try to reduce stress. Stress is a very common trigger for acid reflux. When you are stressed, you will often notice your muscles are affected, and this includes the muscles in your digestive tract. Try to avoid stressful situations and look into meditation or yoga to help manage your stress in a healthy way.


Carefully consider the types of foods you are eating if acid reflux is a problem. Fatty, grease filled foods like chicken wings, pizza and french fries can sit in your stomach for a longer period of time, increasing the likelihood of reflux. Instead, choose high quality proteins, vegetables and whole grains for the majority of your meals.


Visit your doctor if you see that your vomit is filled with blood. This is indicative of bigger issues than simple acid reflux. If you have something else instead of acid reflux, you might be able deal with it effectively and quickly.


Carry chewing gum with you if you suffer from reflux, and try to chew a piece after every meal. Chewing gum promotes the production of saliva, and this can help to neutralize the production of stomach acids in your digestive tract. For best results, choose a cinnamon or fruit variety as opposed to mint, which can make symptoms worse.


Avoid lying down after having some food. You need to wait between two and three hours before lying down, and even more after a large meal. If possible, go for a short walk to get some exercise and sit until the digestion process is over. It is best to have your diner several hours before going to bed.


Acid reflux is exacerbated by beverages containing carbonation or caffeine. Black tea, coffee and cola are highly acidic. They irritate the stomach lining and increase discomfort. Instead of these drinks, opt for green tea.


You must not lay down after you eat. You can speed up the digestion process by being active, for instance by going for a walk. Get up and get moving, but don't bend over too much.


If you are suffering from acid reflux several times a week and cannot find relief, you should visit your physician. You doctor may be able to prescribe medicines to limit the effects of acid reflux. Additionally, acid reflux can be a sign of a more serious problem such as esophageal cancer.


Keep a food diary. If you have acid reflux issues that appear to pop up randomly, you need to discover the pattern. What foods are you eating when it strikes? Where are you? How quickly are you eating? All of this intelligence can help you define the triggers that lead to your attacks.


Once you are educated about acid reflux, you will better be able to determine if that is the problem you have. Use the tips and advice found above and you should feel much better throughout your days. There is no need to suffer if you are educated about this health problem that so many people share.