How to Prevent and Relieve Acid Reflux

If you've ever experienced acid reflux, you know the discomfort it can cause. A little heartburn now and then is nothing to worry about -- it often goes away on its own after a few hours or can be eased with over-the-counter antacids. However, if you experience acid reflux more than twice a week or if over-the-counter medications don't provide relief, it's time to see your doctor. Chronic acid reflux can lead to a narrowing of your esophagus that can cause food to get stuck and change the lining of the esophagus, which can eventually lead to esophageal cancer.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux include heartburn, a feeling that food is caught in your throat, acid regurgitation, chest pain and difficulty swallowing. Often, acid reflux can be diagnosed by keeping a diary of your symptoms and when you experience them. This helps your physician determine what triggers your symptoms and how to help relieve them.

The main risk factors for GERD are being overweight (especially in women), smoking, eating large meals or foods that take a long time to digest and drinking alcohol. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to develop GERD. Pregnancy can also increase the likelihood of developing GERD, probably due to increased pressure on the abdomen from the growing uterus and abdominal fluids.

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid gets into the esophagus through a valve, called the lower esophageal sphincter. This valve opens when you eat and closes when you're finished eating, keeping stomach acid in the stomach. The following can weaken the sphincter:

Eating fatty and spicy foods, consuming carbonated beverages, eating close to bedtime, tight clothing and taking certain medications, especially aspirin or ibuprofen, can all contribute to acid reflux. Having a hiatal hernia, which is when the upper part of the stomach pushes into the diaphragm, can also cause acid reflux.

There are a number of ways to prevent GERD and to help reduce your symptoms, including:

Avoid foods that are high in fat, such as butter, gravy, fried or fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, salad dressings and sauces. Instead, eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day and try to consume foods that are low in fat. Eat slowly and chew your food well.

Don't smoke or drink alcohol. If you're going to drink, do so only in moderation. Alcohol affects the pressure in your stomach, and smoking can increase the chances that you'll have acid reflux.