Avoiding Acid Reflux and Diarrhea

Acid reflux in itself is unpleasant but acid reflux and diarrhea are two things that sometimes go together and make the experience even worse. Many people think that acid reflux and diarrhea always occur together when in fact this is not true. It is possible to eliminate both acid reflux and diarrhea by choosing the right treatment plan and changing your lifestyle. The treatment that you choose for acid reflux will largely determine whether you have diarrhea and acid reflux. You should also consider how to treat the root of acid reflux to eliminate the problem completely.

How to Avoid Diarrhea

Diarrhea is actually very serious, despite its common occurrence, it can be potentially life threatening. This is because constant diarrhea results in a loss of body fluids. Dehydration if not treated quickly can result in hospitalization or even worse. It is particularly worrying if the person afflicted is elderly. You should avoid a combination of acid reflux and diarrhea as the two together can cause a lot of discomfort.

You may have noticed that diarrhea usually occurs after you have taken an antacid to treat your acid reflux. This is because some over the counter antacids will cause diarrhea due to the inclusion of aluminum hydroxide in the list of ingredients. Buying a different antacid that has magnesium hydroxide will cause you to have the opposite problem that is constipation. You should buy an antacid that has both these ingredients to avoid the problem completely.

Solving Acid Reflux Problems

Occasional acid reflux or heartburn is not harmful or worrisome; as we age we are more likely to experience this. Cause for concern however is continued heartburn on a regular basis. This is indicative of an unhealthy diet that is difficult for your body to digest. Continued acid reflux can destroy or damage your esophagus and result in bleeding and problems swallowing.

Fatty food at every meal is not a good idea in many ways and is one of the causes of acid reflux. Cutting down on fatty foods will help the problem immensely. Heavy meals should also be avoided as this puts stress on your stomach, eat smaller meals to aid digestion and reduce acid reflux. Eating late at night is also something that you should avoid. If your acid reflux is triggered by certain foods, for example spicy foods, you should avoid these foods. Caffeine and smoking also cause acid reflux and you should avoid these habits to eliminate acid reflux and diarrhea.