
If you’re struggling with acid reflux, there are steps you can take to improve your symptoms.


As your stomach produces acid to digest the food, some acid can move back up through the valve and into the esophagus. But for people who experience acid reflux, the LES doesn't close all the way. Typically, your LES allows food to pass through to the stomach then closes. For starters, there is a valve at the entrance to your stomach with a big fancy name - the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). What is acid reflux?īefore you can treat your acid reflux, it’s important to understand what it is. Researchers found that combining those five factors was as effective against acid reflux as many medications used to fight this common disorder, including Prilosec, Prevacid, Pepcid and Tagamet. Maintaining a body mass index (BMI) below 25.Getting a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise every day.Following a healthy diet that includes whole grains and limits red meat and added sugar.Drinking fewer than two cups of coffee, tea, or soda a day.The study identified five lifestyle factors that can substantially reduce acid reflux: Recent findings released from the Nurses’ Health Study - one of the longest-running studies of women’s health-indicate that diet can significantly impact acid reflux and the severity of its symptoms. Over time, acid reflux may lead to health complications such as esophagus damage, open sores in the esophagus and increased cancer risk. It causes a wide range of symptoms from a burning sensation in your chest, a sour taste in your mouth, difficulty swallowing and a chronic cough.

Research shows acid reflux is one of the most commonly diagnosed digestive disorders in the United States.

If the lyrics, “burn baby burn," conjure up visions of your nightly battle with heartburn instead of a long-ago disco inferno, you may be one of the thousands of Americans with acid reflux. Providence physicians say that if you experience acid reflux more than twice a week, it’s time to see a doctor.Research shows diet and lifestyle changes can be as effective as medication in nearly 40% of people with the illness.Acid reflux is one of the most commonly diagnosed digestive disorders in the U.S.
