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What to do during an acid reflux attack
Nowadays, many people struggle to maintain good health. Undoubtedly, for this purpose, eating healthy food is essential, but without good digestion, achieving the goal is impossible. In spite of knowing this, many people have digestive disorders on a routine basis. In all these, acid reflux is the most common one.
This condition causes burning in the chest, gives you a sour taste in the mouth, along with causing you pain. These symptoms can make it difficult for you to eat properly and even sleep.
However, the knowledge of what to do during acid reflux attacks can help you a lot. Moreover, if you are experiencing frequent acid reflux and persistent heartburn, visiting a specialist is a must for you. Dr. Tahir Yunus is a professional who deals with diagnosing and treating acid reflux, GERD, and other digestive diseases efficiently. He provides every patient with the most adequate help and advanced solutions.
This blog explains what actions to take when having an acid reflux attack, how to handle this problem, and when acid reflux surgery becomes a necessary treatment option.
What is an acid reflux attack?
Food is mainly digested in the stomach. For this purpose, a small amount of acid remains present in the stomach. When there is backflow of this acid into the esophagus (a muscular connection between the mouth and the stomach), then it is called an acid reflux attack. Patients face the condition when there is a problem with the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). It is a muscle ring present at the end of the esophagus and mainly serves to stop stomach contents from coming upward.
The stomach has its own protection from stomach acid; the esophagus does not. As a result, the acids may easily hurt the esophagus. In case such a process occurs regularly, it may even damage the lungs and throat. Thus, it is very important to take preventive measures and see a specialist if needed.
Symptoms
Symptoms can differ from one individual to another, but usually include the following:
- Burning feeling in the chest (heartburn)
- Presence of acidic or sour taste in the mouth
- Burping up of food or stomach contents
- Difficulty swallowing
- Discomfort in the chest after meals
- Bloating with excess belching
- Feeling of nausea
- Persistent cough
- Hoarseness or sore throat
- A feeling of a lump in the throat
What to Do during acid reflux attacks
Though acid reflux, GERD is not something life-threatening, it could damage your physical and mental health significantly. Hence, it is crucial to get education on the ways to deal with it effectively. Below are some useful tips.
1. Stay Calm and Sit Upright
The discomfort of acid reflux is enough to make you panic. Hence, the first step you can take is to keep calm since stress will aggravate the problem.
For this purpose, you can:
- Sit up straight on a comfortable seat.
- Walk around in the room.
- Elevate your upper body.
Gravity ensures that the contents of your stomach stay where they should be and reduce the acid refluxed into the esophagus.
2. Loosen tight clothing
Tight clothing can increase pressure on your stomach and worsen acid reflux symptoms. Yet, if you are going through acid reflux, a slight pressure is countable. Hence, a tight belt or clothing may add to the pressure on your stomach, worsening your condition.
When possible:
- Loosen your belt.
- Undo tight pants.
- Wear loose clothing until your condition improves.
3. Lavage and Suctioning (Irrigation)
Snacking in order to soothe your stomach is probably quite appealing to you; however, consuming food during your acid reflux episode could make your condition even more severe.
Do the following instead:
- Stop eating for the time being.
- Drink small amounts of water if possible
- Have your next meal only when your symptoms start subsiding.
4. Sip water slowly
Water consumption in small amounts can aid in pushing acid back to the stomach and reducing the acid in the esophagus. One should not consume a large quantity of water since it will increase the pressure in the stomach and make the problem of reflux worse.
The most comfortable water temperature is room temperature since extreme cold or hot water may also cause problems.
5. Avoid lying down
Usually, people find it convenient to lie down whenever they are under acid reflux attack. However, this tends to make matters worse. It is important to remain standing, walking or sitting upright for two to three hours after having your meal.
In case you experience symptoms while sleeping:
- Raising the head of your bed approximately between 6 to 8 inches will help.
- Try sleeping on your left side if possible.
- Do not go to sleep immediately after having your dinner.
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6. Practice deep, slow breathing
Acid reflux episodes can be terrifying, especially if there is significant chest pain. Inhale slowly via your nose for four seconds. Pause for a few seconds, and breathe out slowly through your mouth. Slow breathing can assist in:
- Decreasing anxiety levels
- Relaxing the abdominal muscles
- Relieving the feeling of tightness in the chest area
7. Identify what triggered the attack
Identifying your triggers will assist in preventing future incidents. Moreover, it could help with adopting the right approach for minimizing the effect.
Some common triggers are:
- Big meals
- Spicy foods
- Fried items
- High-fat meals
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Soda
- Citrus fruits
- Tomatoes
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Late-night snacks
8. Take antacids
In case your doctor recommends it, antacids without a prescription can offer instant relief. They neutralize the acids in the stomach and provide quick relief from symptoms.
Popular choices include:
- Antacids with calcium carbonate
- Antacids with magnesium
- Combination antacid medications
What not to do during an acid reflux attack?
Don’t make these mistakes:
- Lie flat right away after eating
- Smoke
- Drink alcohol
- Eat spicy and/or greasy foods until your symptoms clear up
- Engage in rigorous exercise after meals
- Eat too much to “settle” your stomach
Preventing future acid reflux attacks
Some of the practices that can help in this regard are:
- Eat small portions of food throughout the day
- Keep your body at a healthy weight
- Don’t eat close to bedtime
- Know the specific foods that cause your problems and avoid them
- Exercise regularly
- Quit smoking
- Control your alcohol consumption
- Wear loose clothes
- Control your stress
Final thoughts:
In conclusion, no one wants to have a painful experience of an acid reflux attack. You may feel helpless unless you know about ways that can minimize its effect. In this regard, standing up straight, avoiding food, drinking some water, and knowing one’s triggers are of immense significance.
Though a few episodes of acid reflux are normal, recurring and serious instances should have medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment will not only spare you from possible complications but also protect your esophagus from lasting damage. Patients under the care of Dr Tahir Yunus at ALSA Pakistan receive individualized and advanced acid reflux treatment. He is renowned for his exceptional skills in gastrointestinal disorders and laparoscopic surgeries. The right guidance and preventive measures can significantly improve your quality of life.
