7 Daily Habits That Can Halt Heartburn - Article Health

Eat Right, Ease Heartburn
Over-the-counter antacids and prescription medications are the most common treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In the most severe cases, surgery may even be required. But regardless of how bad your GERD symptoms are, successfully fighting heartburn and acid reflux also requires some changes in lifestyle, ranging from the food you eat to the clothes you wear.

Small, frequent meals
Meals are often a trigger for GERD symptoms. In fact, all-you-can-eat buffets are almost always a recipe for heartburn.

A very full stomach can cause the valve between your stomach and esophagus (known as the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES) to relax, pushing stomach acids back up into the esophagus.

Cut the cake
Be it chocolate or caffeine, certain foods and drinks are notorious for exacerbating GERD symptoms.

The list includes spicy foods, fatty red meat, French fries (and other fried foods), citrus fruit, raw onion, tomatoes, butter, oil, peppermint, chocolate, and caffeine.


Don't drink alcohol
Alcohol is a bad idea for most people with GERD, especially if you drink too much, or on a regular basis.

Alcohol relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, which lets stomach acid creep into the esophagus.

Another reason to shed pounds
Excess weight can contribute to heartburn and acid reflux. A 2003 study of more than 10,000 people in the International Journal of Epidemiology found a strong link between GERD symptoms and body mass index (BMI). Obese people are nearly three times more likely than people of normal weight to have heartburn and acid reflux.


Subscribe to receive free email updates:

0 Response to "7 Daily Habits That Can Halt Heartburn - Article Health"

Post a Comment