RefluxDisease.org

Acid reflux disease, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is when stomach acid refluxes and touches the lining of the esophagus, which causes a feeling of burning in the chest or throat. This is referred to as heartburn. Whenever that acid makes its way to the back of the mouth it is referred to as acid indigestion. The occasional case of heartburn is pretty common and does not necessarily mean someone has GERD. On the other hand, if you are having heartburn symptoms more than twice a week it may be a case of GERD, which can eventually provoke more critical health complications. Acid Reflux Disease can cause erosive esophagitis, which is an ailment that causes redness, soreness, even swelling of the esophagus. Over 50% of patients have a non-erosive class of GERD, which is referred to as Nonerosive Reflux Disease (NERD). NERD causes the patient to feel the same symptoms of GERD without the visible injury to the esophagus.

GERD is usually treated by a doctor using proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs. Still, there are patients who experience the symptoms despite the treatment. Under these circumstances, the patients are diagnosed with Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Refactory GERD). Patients who have Refractory GERD either need more combative treatment, alternative treatment, or they simply have another condition which is causing of their reflux symptoms, such as gall stones.

 

Do you often suffer from symptoms of heartburn?

Heartburn symptoms can make you feel miserable and are possibly dangerous. The danger from acid reflux disease is the constant exposure of the esophagus to stomach acid. It can result in respiratory symptoms and even cancer. Here are some simple guidelines you can follow to help alleviate the symptoms from GERD.

1. Eat your food slowly

Don’t overeat during a meal. Sit down and enjoy your food until you are comfortably full instead of feeling stuffed. Remember to chew each bite and savor the flavor instead of ‘scarfing’ your food down. One idea that helps slow down eating is to set your fork down between each bite while you chew and swallow your food.

2. Limit beverages during meals

Limit your fluid intake with meals. Liquids will add to the volume of your food and causes an increase in stomach volume and pressure. When your stomach is full it puts more pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that normally prevents food from moving back into your esophagus. That increases your risk of reflux. Take small sips while you eat and try to drink mostly between meals.

3. Lose weight

Being overweight is a major contributor to acid reflux. In fact, it doubles your chances of suffering symptoms of GERD as people of a healthy weight. Extra pounds put more pressure on the stomach, which causes the LES to relax, allowing stomach backflow. Even losing a small amount of weight can help alleviate the symptoms of heartburn.

4. Get moderate exercise

Exercise is beneficial in more ways than one. The key word here is ‘moderate’, though. Vigorous exercise can agitate the digestive track and actually cause acid reflux. Moderate, low impact exercise, such as walking, on the other hand, will help prevent it and it keeps you upright which allows gravity to aid in the digestive process. Exercise will also aid you in losing weight, helping to kill two birds with one stone. Always wait about 2 hours before working out and avoid sports drinks. The acidity in sports drinks will only make heartburn symptoms worse.

5. Avoid fatty food

Stay away from fatty food, such as chicken wings, pizza, and fried foods. High fat foods relax the LES and delay the stomach from emptying, which increases your chances of reflux. Change to a diet of lean proteins, like skinless chicken breasts, seafood, lean cuts of read meat, and beans. You also want to eat foods high in fiber and whole grains. Sticking to this sort of diet will greatly reduce your likelihood of suffering from acid reflux and also help you lose weight. Still, eating smaller meals will help far greater than what you eat.

6. Be careful of certain trigger foods

There are specific foods that trigger acid reflux, which you should try to avoid all-together. They can be different for all individuals, but some common culprits are: fried or high-fat foods, caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea, alcohol, mint, chocolate, juices and fruits containing citrus, tomato products, spicy foods, garlic, onion, and carbonated beverages. Not all of these will be a trigger food for you, but monitoring what you ate prior to a bout of heartburn can help you determine which ones are trigger foods for you and that you need to avoid. See the list of trigger foods to avoid.

7. Don’t lie down after eating

If you are prone to acid reflux then you should not lay down for at least 2 hours after eating a meal. Try walking around even, which will help the gastric juices flow in the right direction. When you do finally lay down, even to sleep at night, you should try to keep your upper body elevated. This can be accomplished by placing blocks under the legs at the head of your bed to prop them up slightly.

8. Avoid tight fitting clothing

Don’t wear clothes that fit snugly around your middle section. This will only put more pressure on the stomach. Until you get your symptoms under control stick to loose fitting clothes. Think comfortable!

9. Chew non-mint flavored gum after meals

Chewing gum increases saliva production, which neutralizes stomach acid. It also encourages frequent swallowing, which will help keep acid clear from the esophagus. Make sure you only chew non-mint flavored gum, however, as peppermint and similar flavors will relax the LES and actually increase symptoms of reflux disease.

10. Quit smoking

Smoking increases the risk of acid reflux. It’s not only terrible for your health for many other reasons, but GERD is just one more reason to quit. Smoking slows digestion and increases stomach acid. It damages the esophagus and weakens the LES muscle, which directly causes acid reflux.