Do you understand the basics of acid reflux?
Website design By BotEap.comChronic heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affect approximately 15 million Americans each year. Acid reflux can strike like a stranger in the night. Victims may wake up with a sharp, burning pain in the chest that spreads to the neck and throat. They may have coughing fits or asthma attacks as a result of inhaling excess acid or they may feel tired during the day, with a sour mouth in the morning and a sore throat that never really turns into a full-blown cold .
Website design By BotEap.comSome heartburn remedies simply involve a change in habits. One of the causes of this disease is overeating, which makes it a big problem during the holidays. “The holiday season is clearly one of the worst times of the year for GERD patients,” says William Chey, MD, a gastroenterologist at the University of Michigan.
Website design By BotEap.com“The large amounts of food we consume during the holidays and the types of food served during the holidays, especially fatty and caffeinated foods, can be a recipe for disaster for chronic heartburn sufferers.” When we eat large amounts of food, the stomach stretches and the lower esophageal sphincter naturally relaxes. Instead of three large meals or one large meal, try eating smaller meals continuously throughout the day to keep acid production normal.
Website design By BotEap.comIf you are chronically ill, there are some basic foods that you should avoid as much as possible. Fatty foods can be a big problem, as the stomach needs to produce more acid to break down these substances. You know where that excess acid ends up, going back up the esophagus!
Website design By BotEap.comLess obvious culprits are caffeine in beverages, ice cream, and chocolate, which can also exacerbate acid reflux from heartburn. Red wine is also a common cause of heartburn, as are spicy foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, spearmint, and pepper.
Website design By BotEap.comThe time of day and post-meal rituals have a significant impact on heartburn and acid reflux. Dr. William Chey adds, “Gravity actually serves as a major barrier during the day. So when you go to bed at night after eating, you no longer have that gravity barrier to prevent acid reflux.”
Website design By BotEap.comIt is recommended that you try to remain relatively upright for two to three hours after eating. People who try to get up and bend over immediately after eating a big meal often have problems with overeating. Avoid tight clothing that can make symptoms worse. Smoking also causes the valve in the esophagus to relax. It is a sneaky disease that comes on suddenly and requires immediate relief. Keeping a few over-the-counter products like Alkaseltzer, Tums, Pepcid AC, or Maalox in the cabinet can usually treat average heartburn symptoms. However, chronic patients should consult their doctor and seek out Prilosec or Nexium for stronger treatment.
Website design By BotEap.comThere is a lot of research that can be found online at WebMD.com to help people assess which medications are safe for them. However, many times, trial and error reveals the best treatment.
Website design By BotEap.comAcid reflux can be so uncomfortable that some people go to the hospital fearing heart failure. Others believe they may have food poisoning, asthma, a sleep disorder, or have developed lactose intolerance. Isn’t it comforting to know that it may just be a little bit of heartburn that can be treated with various over-the-counter medications?