Millions of Americans suffer from heartburn, but much of the pain and discomfort of acid reflux can be avoided with simple lifestyle changes. Follow these daily habits to reduce the frequency and severity of your heartburn.
4 Daily Habits To Prevent Heartburn
- Eat small meals: While eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner may sound like the norm, eating smaller meals six times a day is actually better for your digestive system, and eating large meals increases your risk for heartburn.
- Eat slowly: Taking the time to chew your food properly can help prevent heartburn because it allows saliva to start the process of digestion, which means your food will need to spend less time sitting in your stomach.
- Don’t eat late: Late-night snacking can lead to heartburn because you may not be giving gravity enough time to pull the digestive juices down into your digestive tract. Avoid lying down for at least two hours after you’ve eaten, which may also mean holding off on a mid-day nap.
- Avoid alcohol: Alcohol relaxes your LES, the valve between your stomach and esophagus that is supposed to prevent acid reflux and heartburn.
Although these tips can help you avoid heartburn, you should talk to your doctor if you are experiencing heartburn or acid reflux two or more times per week. This may be a sign that you’re suffering from GERD, which can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
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