Acid reflux is one of the most common ailments in the country with over 60 million people experiencing symptoms at least once a month. Sometimes, the pain can be so severe that it affects everything you do, including getting a good night's sleep. Knowing which foods to avoid with acid reflux is the easiest way to deal with this recurrent problem.

Why Acid Reflux Happens

There is a muscular ring that exists at the end of the esophagus and the start of the stomach. This muscle ring is what keeps the stomach acid inside the stomach. There are some people whose muscles do not prevent this acid from splashing into the esophagus, which causes heartburn. If you have such a problem, there is no need to worry because medical experts have discovered that diet causes most of the problems from heartburn. By simply changing your diet, you can completely avoid heartburn.

Eating Habits that Trigger Heartburn

While different people react to certain foods differently, there are specific foods and eating habits that can lead to increased acid reflux.

• Overeating food in one sitting: Excess food creates a lot of pressure on the stomach, which forces the sphincter to open and spills stomach acid into the esophagus.
• Sleeping position after meals: It is recommended that you eat at least two or three hours before bedtime. Lying in a horizontal position after a heavy meal is also suspected to increase the likelihood of exacerbating reflux.
• Fatty and oily foods: These foods have been proven to lead to excess production of stomach acid, and some of that spills into the esophagus and causes acid reflux.
• Smoking and drinking alcohol: These are also thought to increase the risk of developing acid reflux. Carbonated drinks also create a lot of pressure in the stomach, which can send acid up the esophagus.
• Spicy foods and fruits: Both of these categories of food can contain citric acid and are known to cause direct irritation to the gut, which leads to heartburn.

Symptoms of GERD

When acid reflux is left untreated for an extended period, it leads to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Some symptoms serve as an indicator that one could have developed GERD. These include:

• Heartburn that is accompanied by a sour taste in the mouth
• Dry cough
• Regurgitating food in the form of an acidic liquid
• Feeling a persistent lump in the throat
• Chest pain and difficulty swallowing
• A sore throat and hoarseness

As with all other health conditions, prevention is better than the cure. It is, therefore, best to deal with an acid reflux problem before it becomes a lifelong struggle with GERD. There are some medical websites which discuss acid reflux and GERD in detail, demystifying the myths and discussing possible treatments. Below are five of the most trusted sites on foods to avoid with reflux.

Top 5 Routes for "Foods To Avoid With Acid Reflux"

1. Webmd.com This site outlines the causes of acid reflux, the foods that are known to contribute to the problem, and possible remedies. It also talks about the symptoms of reflux and when to see a doctor, in case you suspect that you could be suffering from GERD.
2. Healthline.com This website gives an overview of GERD, lists the foods that act as triggers for reflux, the foods that can help reduce the symptoms, and lifestyle changes that can help treat the problem.
3. Prevention.com This website gives information on an additional factor besides food that leads to heartburn. It outlines lifestyle changes that could resolve the problem.
4. Everydayhealth.com This website describes tips that can help prevent GERD. It describes all of the foods and lifestyle choices that cause acid reflux and how the right decisions can resolve the problem.
5. Medicinenet.com There are a lot of myths that surround GERD. This website talks about them and common misconceptions while demystifies most of them. It also outlines the medically proven causes of heartburn and possible cures.