8 Ways to Overcome Increased Stomach Acid
1. Loosen the pants you are wearing: One simple way to ease the discomfort of increased stomach acid is to loosen up your clothing. Tight pants or belts can put pressure on your stomach, making acid reflux worse. So go ahead and give yourself some breathing room by opting for looser fitting clothes.
2. Straighten your body position: Slouching or hunching over can also contribute to increased stomach acid. By straightening your body position and sitting or standing up tall, you can help keep acid where it belongs – in your stomach.
3. Raise your head position when sleeping: If you suffer from acid reflux at night, try raising the head of your bed or using a wedge pillow to elevate your upper body while you sleep. This can help prevent stomach acid from creeping up into your esophagus and causing discomfort.
4. Lie face to the left: When lying down, try turning onto your left side. This position can help keep stomach acid from flowing back up into your esophagus, reducing the risk of acid reflux.
5. Consume drinks for stomach acid: Certain drinks can help soothe and neutralize stomach acid. Try sipping on ginger tea, chamomile tea, or licorice root tea to help calm your stomach and reduce acid levels. You can also try drinking a glass of warm water with lemon juice to help balance acidity in your stomach.
6. Consume vegetables and fruit: Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits can help regulate stomach acid levels. Foods like broccoli, spinach, bananas, and melons are all great options for soothing an upset stomach and reducing acid production. Avoiding spicy, greasy, or acidic foods can also help prevent increased stomach acid.
7. Chew gum: Believe it or not, chewing gum can actually help reduce stomach acid. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which can help neutralize acid in your stomach and provide relief from discomfort. Just make sure to choose sugar-free gum to avoid adding extra sugar to your diet.
8. Taking over-the-counter stomach acid medication: If home remedies aren't cutting it, you may want to consider taking over-the-counter stomach acid medication. Antacids like Tums or Rolaids can help neutralize stomach acid and provide quick relief from symptoms. H2 blockers like Pepcid or Zantac can also help reduce acid production in the stomach, while proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec or Nexium can provide long-lasting relief from acid reflux.
In conclusion, dealing with increased stomach acid can be a real challenge, but with these 8 tips, you can start to feel better and get back to enjoying life without the discomfort of acid reflux. Remember to listen to your body, make healthy choices, and seek medical advice if you continue to experience symptoms despite trying these remedies. Here's to a happy, healthy gut!