Limit Your Intake Of Carbonated Beverages
Healthcare professionals sometimes advise people with GERD to limit their intake of carbonated beverages.
This is because studies have observed that regular consumption of carbonated or fizzy beverages, including soft drinks, club soda, and seltzer, could be linked to a higher risk of reflux .
One study found that carbonated soft drinks, in particular, worsened certain acid reflux symptoms, including heartburn, fullness, and burping .
The main reason is that the carbon dioxide gas in carbonated beverages causes people to burp more often an effect that can increase the amount of acid escaping into the esophagus .
Summary
Drinking carbonated beverages temporarily increases the frequency of burping, which may promote acid reflux. If they worsen your symptoms, try drinking less or avoiding them altogether.
Question 1 Of : Background
Is There Surgery To Treat Gerd
GERD is usually controlled with medications and lifestyle changes . If these dont work, or if you cant take medications for an extended period, surgery may be a solution.
- Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is the standard surgical treatment. Its a minimally invasive procedure that fixes your acid reflux by creating a new valve mechanism at the bottom of your esophagus. The surgeon wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower portion of the esophagus. This reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter so food wont reflux back into the esophagus.
- LINX deviceimplantation is another minimally invasive surgery. A LINX device is a ring of tiny magnets that are strong enough to keep the junction between the stomach and esophagus closed to refluxing acid but weak enough to allow food to pass through.
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Try Sleeping On Your Left Side
Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the upper portion of the digestive tract is not functioning properly, causing stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus. The esophagus is a muscular tube linking the mouth to the stomach. In normal digestion, a specialized ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and then quickly closes to prevent backflow into the esophagus. The LES can malfunction, allowing contents from the stomach, including food and digestive juices, such as hydrochloric acid, to push up into the esophagus. In GERD, this backflow is ongoing.
When you are standing, or sitting upright, gravity helps prevent stomach contents from rising up into the esophagus. However, reflux can become much worse while you are sleeping or lying in bed without the aid of gravity, it is much easier for stomach contents to spill through the malfunctioning LES and flow into the esophagus. This leads to an increase in symptoms, such as a burning in the chest, the feeling of food or liquid rising into the mouth, a sour or bitter taste, a sore throat, and coughing, which can make getting a good nights sleep a difficult task.
First published in the Inside Tract® newsletter issue 201 2017
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What Is The Best Sleeping Position For Acid Reflux
Multiple research studies have found that being on your left side is the best sleeping position for people with GERD18. Sleeping with your left side down reduces reflux episodes19 and exposure of the esophagus to stomach acid. Sleeping in other positions, including on your back, can make reflux more likely20.
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Top 15 Heartburn Remedies
Just because heartburn is common doesnt mean you have to suffer with it. Left untreated, frequent acid reflux can develop into more serious health problems. Here are the top 15 heartburn remedies
Despite humorous commercials touting heartburn remedies with funny words like plop-plop and fizz-fizz, heartburn is no joke. More than 60 million Americans suffer from it at least occasionally, according to the American College of Gastroenterology.Heartburn, also known as acid indigestion, occurs when acidic stomach juices flow backward into the esophagus, irritating the esophageal lining. The resulting pain can be uncomfortable, annoying or excruciating. It can hurt as much as a heart attack, says Paige Hastings, a certified nurse practitioner at The Little Clinic in Nashville, Tenn.But not everyone has such pain you could also feel a bitter or acidic taste in the back of your throat or the awful sensation of food or liquid washing back into your mouth and down the gullet.In fact, frequent heartburn and food sticking in the throat are signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease .Untreated, these problems can lead more serious problems, including strictures , ulcers, cancer and pneumonia, explains Patricia Raymond, MD, a gastroenterologist based in Virginia Beach, Va.
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What Lifestyle Changes Relieve Heartburn
There are several ways to treat and avoid heartburn with lifestyle changes .
Lose weight and maintain your ideal weight. Excess weight increases the pressure on the stomach, increasing the chance of acid reflux into the esophagus.
Quit smoking: Smoking interferes with the proper functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter.
Avoid foods that aggravate heartburn and replace them with healthy foods. Avoid foods that trigger heartburn . Consider keeping a food journal to alert you to foods that make your heartburn worse. Decrease the amount of food you eat.
Elevate the head of the bed: If you are experiencing heartburn at night, elevating the head of the bed will decrease reflux.
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When To Seek Medical Treatment
Top 5 Ways To Prevent Heartburn
Top 5 Ways to Prevent Heartburn
It is not uncommon to experience the occasional bout of heartburn. And, unfortunately, frequent heartburn is a side effect of aging, but heartburn can affect people of all ages. Regardless of age, constant or chronic heartburn is not normal and is a sign you need to see a gastroenterologist.
If your heartburn is an occasional bother, you can try these tips to minimize the pain and discomfort. However, long term solutions to getting rid of heartburn for good include weight loss, a healthy diet, and routine exercise.
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Eating Apples May Help To Decrease The Frequency Of Heartburn
Apples are a convenient and healthy snack that can also potentially help to reduce acid reflux symptoms. These fruits are actually packed with pectin, a soluble dietary fiber that’s been found to sometimes decrease the frequency of heartburn.
“Soluble fiber is needed to help regulate digestion and has been shown to decrease heartburn in somestudies,” registered dietitianJeanette Kimszal told INSIDER. “Apples are also a rich source of minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These nutrients are helpful for lowering stomach acid.”
Aloe Vera Syrup Products
Aloe vera juice has been used in traditional medicine to heal irritation of the esophagus. It is unwise to use unprocessed aloe vera sap as it contains laxative compounds, but some products are formulated for internal use. AloeCure contains organic aloe juice and is marketed as an all-natural remedy for digestive disorders, including heartburn. Some trials, including a 2015 study, have found aloe vera syrup to be effective for heartburn symptoms. Note that consuming aloe can lower your blood sugar levels. Discuss the use of aloe with your healthcare provider if you have diabetes, hypoglycemia, thyroid disorders, kidney disease, heart disease, or electrolyte abnormalities.
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Lose Weight If You Need To
Obesity has been linked to GERD. Being overweight puts extra pressure on your stomach, which pushes food and acid up toward your esophagus.
If you need to shed pounds, you’ll see improvements in GERD if you lose just 10 to 15 pounds. Talk to your doctor to figure out a plan to drop no more than about 1 to 2 pounds each week.
How Can I Prevent Heartburn
What would you do if you could if you were suddenly free of the pain and distress that your heartburn causes? Well read on and you will learn that by discovering what causes heartburn and dealing with it, you could be on the road to complete freedom from your problem.
The very first thing that you should do is to avoid dairy products which are high in fat and replace them with low-fat alternatives. This can help reduce the instances of heartburn after eating a meal. Making healthier meals will also help you lose a few pounds, which also can have a very positive effect on your acid reflux disease.
Soda is a big no-no for those who suffer from heartburn disease. Caffeine and the carbonation is a double whammy and it can really cause problems. Avoiding carbonation will help with acid reflux symptoms.
Do avoid acidic foods such as grapefruit, oranges, tomatoes or vinegar. Cut back on peppers or spicy foods. Greasy foods such as french fries and burgers can trigger heartburn as well.
Dont eat too quickly! Try putting your spoon and fork down between bites. Keeping your meals smaller will also help. You should eat 5-6 small meals and not 3 large meals. This will keep your sphincter in better condition and it will also help you lose weight!
Ingested ginger is recommended to soothe an upset stomach, and can be added to cooked food. You can take it in capsule, drink or root form. Anything is fine, just take it before every meal.
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Resist The Urge To Overeat Or Eat Quickly
When it comes to preventing heartburn, watching portion sizes at meals can go a long way. Having a large amount of food in your stomach may put more pressure on the valve that keeps stomach acid out of your esophagus, making acid reflux and heartburn more likely. If you’re prone to heartburn, consider eating smaller meals more frequently. Eating quickly can also be a trigger of heartburn so be sure to slow down and take time to chew food and drink beverages.
Eliminating Heartburn With Otc Medications
Many safe and effective over-the-counter medications can treat or prevent heartburn, including:
- Antacids like Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta, Riopan and Maalox. These drugs buffer the acidity of reflux so it doesnt irritate the esophageal lining. They work like a firefighter putting out a fire after it starts, says Dr. Ravi. .
- H-2 receptor blockers like Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid AC and Axid HR can reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, lessening acid reflux symptoms. .
- Proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid and Dexilan, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, may block acid production and help heal damage to the esophagus caused by repeated acid exposure. .
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Food And Drink Tips For Nighttime Heartburn Relief
What To Do If Heartburn Is Severe Or Frequent
For mild, occasional heartburn, over-the-counter medications such as antacids and histamine blockers can help relieve symptoms. Always read the product label before taking an antacid or histamine blocker and never take a larger dose or take doses more frequently than directed.
If you’re experiencing heartburn frequently, consult your doctor before taking heartburn medications regularly since these drugs can interfere with many other medications and affect underlying health conditions you may have.
If you have severe heartburn, as well as if it persists or worsens after taking steps to relieve it, consult your doctor. In some cases, heartburn can be a sign of an underlying condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease , or possibly a side effect of a medication you’re taking.
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Symptoms Of Heartburn At Night
Its common for heartburn to become more pronounced in the evening.
People who experience heartburn at night typically report the following symptoms:
- Worse pain when lying down or bending over
- A bitter or acidic taste in the mouth
These heartburn symptoms can last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours.
What Causes Heartburn And What Does It Feel Like Exactly
Stomach acid is needed to break down the food you eat, something your stomach has no trouble handling. Your esophagus, on the other hand, is irritated by it.
To keep stomach acid in your stomach and out of your esophagus, a circular ring of muscle at the tube’s base, called the lower esophageal sphincter, acts as a valve. When this valve is relaxed, food you’ve consumed is allowed to pass through to your stomach. When contracted, this valve prevents this food and acid from backing up into your esophagus.
If this valve relaxes abnormally and stomach acid is allowed to travel back into your esophagus, acid reflux occurs. Heartburn is the most well-known and obvious symptom.
It can feel differently depending on its severity, but heartburn symptoms include:
- A burning sensation in your chest, behind your breastbone
- Burning pain that rises up toward your throat
- Having a bitter or sour taste in your mouth
Acid reflux and heartburn are sometimes caused by an underlying medical condition, or even a medication you’re taking in some cases. But, more often than not, they’re triggered by things like your diet and lifestyle choices making the occasional bout of heartburn fairly common.
Common triggers of heartburn include:
- Overeating or eating too quickly
- Lying down too soon after eating
- Consuming certain foods, including caffeine, carbonated beverages, alcohol, peppermint, citrus, tomato-based products, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods
- Being overweight
- Stress and anxiety
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Side Effects Of Antacids
Side effects from antacids are rare. However, they can occur, even when you use them according to the directions.
Antacids can either cause constipation or have a laxative effect. Some people have had allergic reactions. Antacids might also increase the risk of developing sensitivities to certain foods.
Question 5 Of : Prognosis
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