Acid reflux disease is considered one of the most uncomfortable conditions. Acid reflux disease can come with several symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, and a continuously sore or hoarse throat. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when the muscle between the esophagus and stomach does not completely close and causes a backward flow of stomach acid. When you have chronic symptoms, like never ending heartburn, it can be difficult to live your life normally or comfortably.

However, there are ways to manage your GERD or acid reflux disease and get your life back:

1. Eat at a slower pace
Instead of eating three big meals a day, try eating several tiny meals and snacks throughout the entire day. This keeps the stomach from getting too full and producing more acid which in turn becomes reflux. When you graze instead of eating full meals, the esophagus muscles are able to close with little to no work at all, thus preventing reflux from happening as badly or as frequently.

2. Do not drink sodas
When you burp, the esophagus muscles open and stomach acid is able to escape and get into the throat. When you drink carbonated beverages such as soda or sparkling water, you are more likely to burp which means your heartburn could get worse. It is better to drink things like flat water or milk that will not allow that muscle to open and acid to escape.

3. Do not lay down after you eat
Gravity alone can help keep acid reflux at bay. After eating your small snack or meal, do your best to stay straight up in a sitting position, or standing. This will help gravity keep the stomach acid in the stomach where it belongs. Also, do your best to not eat three hours before you go to bed since you lay down to sleep. So do your best to not take that after lunch nap, don’t eat supper too late, and avoid the midnight munchies as best as you can. Three hours allows the food to digest completely before you lay down and go to sleep.

4. Sleep at an angle
If you suffer from chronic symptoms of GERD and staying up for three hours before bedtime does not help completely, you can also sleep at an incline. You ideally want your head to be 6-8 inches above your head so that gravity is still able to help keep the stomach acid down in the stomach. You can do this by putting bed risers under the head of the bed alone or a foam wedge or pillow that keeps your body at an incline. You need to use foam wedges instead of regular pillows as they will not keep their shape and provide the support that you need to relieve the symptoms.

5. Consider taking medications and check the medications you are on
Medications can both help the symptoms and make some of the symptoms worse. If none of the non-medication treatments work there are several over the counter medications you can take that can help get rid of or soothe the symptoms you get from acid reflux. On the other hand, some of the medications you may be taking like anti-inflammatory pills or pills to increase bone density can further irritate the esophagus and make the symptoms worse.

You don’t have to continue living in pain and suffering from the symptoms.