The more you implement from these principals the faster you’ll recover from your next acid reflux episode.

Follow these 6 principals for instant acid reflux relief:

PRINCIPLE #1: For a period of 2-3 days or so allow your esophagus to heal from excessive acid damage that has been caused in the past so avoid all crunchy and hard foods such as popcorn, cookies, toast, breakfast cereals and nuts as they may scratch your esophagus and make the damage worse.

PRINCIPLE #2: Stay away from foods that are known to weaken or irritate the LES: fried and high fat foods, spicy foods, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, desserts and nuts. Try to avoid all acidic foods and gas-forming foods as well: alcohol, coffee, beer, legumes, beans and carbonated soft drinks.

PRINCIPLE #3: Smoking relaxes your LES and irritates your throat, which allows more acid to reflux into the esophagus. If you smoke, you must avoid smoking for at least 2 days. I cannot recommend this enough. Do everything in your power to completely or significantly minimize your smoking.

PRINCIPLE #4: Chewing your food is not only a rule of thumb of optimal digestion, but it will also make your food softer. That means less damage to the esophagus and LES.

Additionally, and although it contradicts the principles of optimal digestion, you should wash down your food with a glass of water after every meal. This will help cleanse your LES, allow it to close better and prevent acid from making contact with the esophagus.

PRINCIPLE #5: By definition you should avoid lying down for at least 3 hours after meals and wearing tight clothing. When you feel sudden heartburn or acid reflux, stand up or sit up and loosen restrictive clothing.

PRINCIPLE #6: Take 1 teaspoon of raw liquid honey every time you have an acid reflux attack or heartburn discomfort. It will soothe your esophagus and allow it to heal. Take the honey before bedtime as well. Warning: Do not give honey to children as it can be fatal.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your acid reflux? Check out my Heartburn No More program

The post Follow These 6 Principals For Instant Acid Reflux Relief first appeared on Jeff Martin's Acid Reflux Blog.