Many people suffer from acid reflux in the summer, but they tend to be okay at other times of the year. This is something that can ruin the fun of summer if you are not able to control it. There are several different reasons why the summer months can trigger it. Understanding those causes can help you find for yourself what is causing it. Since the heat can change our eating habits, they must be watched closely.
Many of us like to be outside in the summer to enjoy the excellent weather. As a result, dinner can be delayed for several hours until the sun goes down and you have to go inside. This could mean that you’re eating dinner too close to bedtime, and your food hasn’t had enough time to digest. When you lie down, you are allowing acid to enter your esophagus.
The types of foods consumed in the summer are also often different. You may enjoy grilling, which may mean more fatty foods than you usually eat. You can roast with tomatoes, garlic, and onions for a beautiful aroma and flavor. However, those are known ingredients that can cause acid reflux in many people.
Many people like to eat citrus fruits in the summer as they are healthy and tasty snacks. However, that can result in increased levels of acid in the body for them to try to digest. Oranges, lemons, and grapefruit seem to be the most common. You should limit your intake of them to see if that helps. Avoid consuming fruits with high acid levels at night as well.
By consuming them early in the day, your body will have time to digest them before you go to bed at night. You also want to consume these fruits in small amounts so your body can digest them more easily. You can have part of a grapefruit for breakfast and then the rest for lunch instead of consuming it all at once.
If you tend to consume more alcoholic beverages in the summer months, that could also trigger acid reflux. Other beverages, such as wine, juices, and soft drinks, can also increase your risk of acid reflux. Commit to drinking plenty of water during summer, so you don’t get dehydrated. You will find that this water also helps with the digestion process.
However, you don’t have to give up your favorites to avoid acid reflux. However, it would be best if you made some changes. For example, eating grilled lean meats instead of fried ones will help. Eat delicious salads full of vegetables instead of other types of side dishes that can trigger acid reflux. If you don’t like drinking plain water, make yourself some freshly brewed iced tea. It contains mostly water and will be very refreshing in the summer heat.
If you find that summer acid reflux still affects you when you go to bed at night, change your elevation. Using an extra pillow or raising the head end of the bed can keep acid away from your esophagus. You should also pay close attention to acid reflux triggers. You can eliminate those foods or activities from your daily routine. Make sure you get plenty of exercises and keep your weight under control.
There are a lot of fun activities to enjoy during the summer months. Don’t let acid reflux stop you from enjoying them. By learning about what triggers you during this time of year, you can be ready for battle. You can make some simple changes to what you eat and drink. You may also be more mindful about what time of day you eat certain foods. As a result, you’ll be able to focus on summer fun instead of being bothered by acid reflux.