Ever felt a burn in your chest or throat after eating? That’s acid reflux. It becomes severe and turns into Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). All of us feel heartburn at times. But too often means trouble. GERD, perhaps?
Let’s dive in. We’ll explore acid reflux and GERD. We’ll talk about symptoms, treatments. We’ll also see how diet can control these conditions. You’ll find out why avoiding some foods is crucial. And how lifestyle changes can cut down risks of acid reflux and GERD.
Your body needs nutrients to work right. Multiple organs break food down for this. One key spot is the esophagus. It connects your mouth to your stomach. There are muscles at the lower end called the esophageal sphincter. They play a vital role. They work like a door to let food into your stomach. Then they shut it to keep stomach acids from flowing back.
What if this door doesn’t shut tight? Or opens too much? The acid from the stomach can flow back up. This causes a ‘burning’ feeling known as heartburn. This is what we call acid reflux.
If you get acid reflux more than twice a week, it could be GERD. Especially if it inflames the esophagus. GERD is a chronic condition. If left unchecked, it can harm the lining of the esophagus severely.
Based on my experience, I advise considering the pH levels of foods when managing reflux or excess secretion of stomach acid. Foods with a low pH that are acidic can potentially worsen reflux symptoms. On the other hand, foods with a higher pH, which are alkaline, may help counterbalance the acidity in the stomach. Including alkaline foods such as bananas, melons, cauliflower, fennel and nuts in your diet can be beneficial in reducing reflux.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Did you know :
Acid reflux commonly causes heartburn. It isn’t worrisome if not frequent. But if it takes place often, it leads to GERD. If untreated, GERD can cause complications. Watch out for these symptoms:
There’s no one-size-fits-all cure for acid reflux or GERD. Lifestyle changes and over-the-counter meds are usually used first. Antacids give quick heartburn relief. But they can’t heal an acid-damaged esophagus.
I recommend being cautious about consuming citrus fruits daily if you are at risk of or have been diagnosed with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, can increase the risk of acid reflux due to their acidic nature.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Diet has a key role in managing acid reflux and GERD. Some foods work off the lower esophageal sphincter and acidity in the stomach to start acid reflux.
Fatty foods, spicy things or alcohol make digestion slow. This leads to a build-up of stomach acids. Some drinks like tea, coffee, sodas and alcohol boost the production of stomach acids. They can irritate the esophagus lining too.
Your diet can help or harm you in handling acid reflux. Know what triggers it and plan your meals around those triggers. This can help manage your condition. Noting each food and how it impacts your symptoms is a great first step towards making a diet that suits you.
High-fat foods can relax your lower esophageal sphincter. This allows stomach acids to flow back up into your esophagus, causing heartburn. It increases the pressure in the stomach leading to acid reflux. Fried foods, fatty meats and full-fat dairy products seem to be especially troublesome for many people.
Managing acid reflux and GERD is easier if we pick our food carefully. Some foods can trigger or worsen the condition. They can cause discomfort and potential complications if often consumed.
High-fat diets can be a problem. Fatty foods stay in the stomach longer. They slow down gastric emptying. This increases volume in the stomach and slows down emptying. This puts more pressure on the LES, making reflux likely. High-fat dairy like cheese and cream, fried foods and dishes high in butter or oil are some culprits.
Here are some high-fat foods that often start or make symptoms of acid reflux worse:
Acidity is another cause for acid reflux. High-acid foods can add to symptoms. They irritate the lining of the esophagus and up stomach acid production.
Here are some acidic foods that can start symptoms of acid reflux:
Coffee, tea and some sodas hold caffeine. This can weaken the LES, thus causing acid reflux symptoms.
Caffeine weakens the lower esophageal sphincter. It also bumps up acid production in the stomach. This raises the chance of reflux. Coffee and some teas, with their acidic pH, can also cause pain. Even decaffeinated coffees and teas hold enough leftover caffeine to possibly start acid reflux.
Some specific foods can cause heartburn in people who seem prone to it. Each person’s trigger foods may vary a bit but there are some usual suspects.
Sorry chocolate lovers! This sweet treat can cause acid reflux. Chocolate has been found to lower the pressure on your esophageal sphincter. This lets stomach contents to travel back into your esophagus.
Spicy foods, along with onions and garlic, often start the symptoms of heartburn. They can make your body produce more acid.
Mint may soothe otherwise, but it can worsen acid reflux. It relaxes the muscle between the stomach and esophagus. This lets stomach acid splash up into the esophagus.
Drinking alcohol can lead to acid reflux. It’s even among those who don’t feel heartburn right after a drink. Alcohol has shown to hike stomach acid. It can also relax the lower esophageal sphincter. Both of these can start heartburn.
Sodas, including diet options, are bad for acid reflux. They’re acidic. They’re often fizzy too, which can cause extra bloating and discomfort.
Now, let’s take a look at this table. It shows trigger foods to avoid under four categories.
| Category of Trigger Foods | Example Foods |
|---|---|
| High-fat foods | Fried foods, fatty meats, High-fat dairy |
| Acidic foods | Tomatoes, citrus fruits |
| Foods with caffeine | Coffee, tea, some sodas |
| Specific foods known as common triggers | Chocolate, Mint, Garlic, Onions, Spicy foods, Alcohol |
I highly recommend incorporating whole grains into your diet, especially if you have underlying conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer and are at risk of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Whole grains have been found to have a significant correlation with a reduced incidence of GERD.
Dr. Smita barode, BAMS
Changes in eating habits and lifestyle choices can heavily impact how often and how strong acid reflux hits.
Identify personal food triggers to bring down instances of acid reflux. Keep a food diary. Note what you eat and any symptoms after. In time, trends will show up. Avoiding these foods can give a big boost.
A holistic diet approach bank on low-fat nutrient-rich foods. Whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy products are good options. Also, having smaller meals across the day and not lying down right after eating can lessen heartburn episodes.
Some extra therapies can back traditional GERD treatments. Stress-reducing methods can help many. Herbal remedies like ginger, chamomile tea and slippery elm are often used. They soothe inflamed tissues and encourage healing. But not everyone finds them useful.
If symptoms persist despite diet and lifestyle changes, book an appointment with your healthcare provider. Make a list of your symptoms. Write down their frequency and any triggers you’ve noted. More detail will help your doctor give a better diagnosis.
We have looked deep into acid reflux and GERD. We have seen how diet plays a key role in its control. It shows that we can do something to control symptoms. Changes in our diet can help. We can manage and perhaps prevent bouts of heartburn and acid reflux.
We have seen how marking our personal trigger foods can cut down acid reflux incidents. We have seen both foods and lifestyle habits that can start symptoms. We know how to deal with acid reflux and GERD effectively. A path of self-awareness and conscious choices about diet and lifestyle can make living with these conditions easier.
Let’s sum up which foods to steer clear of for managing acid reflux. High-fat foods, caffeinated drinks, chocolates, alcohol, sodas, some veggies and some fruits.
Changes to lifestyle are as important as diet changes. To manage and reduce how often and how strongly acid reflux symptoms hit. This includes adopting a holistic dietary strategy. Also, identifying personal trigger foods is key.
Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider are critical. Talk to a doctor if you have constant acid reflux symptoms. Regardless of diet and lifestyle changes. Other health issues might be overlooked.
Bananas, melons, oats, bread, rice and root veggies help balance stomach acids. This can ease acid reflux.
Keep away from coffee, alcohol, chocolate, greasy, spicy and fatty foods, peppermint, strawberries, cheeses and tomatoes if you have GERD.
Lean proteins, green leafy veggies, non-citrus fruits, ginger, whole grains, egg whites and avocados are good for people with GERD.
Yes, many 7-day meal plans for GERD are available. A GERD diet has foods low in fat and acid and void of food that starts symptoms.
Whole grain bread can be a good source of fibre. It aids digestion and is good for acid reflux.
Generally, peanut butter doesn’t start acid reflux. It isn’t particularly acidic, spicy or fatty. However, how it affects people may vary.
Opt for lean meals when eating out. Choose dishes made with lean proteins, cooked using healthy methods. Steamed veggies, potatoes and rice are safe options. Stay away from spicy food, citrus-based dishes and eat smaller portions.
Severe heartburn, acidity or uncomfortable feeling in the stomach occurring more than twice a week is medically termed as Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). GERD is so common in pregnant women that according to studies almost 30 – 80% of pregnant women experience it. In fact, data suggests that the majority of pregnant women suffer from acidity in their third trimester even though in others it starts in the first trimester and gradually increases by their third trimester.
The first thing to do for any pregnant women suffering from acidity is to find a way to manage acidity without harming the baby. In order to do so, you need to know about acidity in the first place and what predisposes pregnant women to acidity? So let us learn about it and different ways to manage it safely during pregnancy.
Acidity in pregnancy is commonly due to hormonal changes and the growing baby pressing against the stomach and it is not usually harmful to the baby, avoiding citrus, spicy, oily foods and carbonated drinks goes a long way to prevent acidity.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
Normally when we eat food it passes from our mouth to stomach through a food pipe called the oesophagus. There is a valve where the food pipe ends and the stomach opens, and it is called the Lower oesophagal sphincter (LES). The LES is a muscular band of tissue (like a rubber band) that opens to allow food to enter the stomach and closes as soon as food enters the stomach. As we already know our stomach produces many juices to digest the food and gastric acid is one of those juices.
When the LES sphincter relaxes without complete closure even after food has entered the stomach, the gastric juices tend to flow back towards the food pipe. These gastric juices (gastric acid) irritate the sensitive lining of the food pipe and as a result, acidity sets in.
Antacidsand Proton Pump Inhibitors like pantaprazole are safe for use in pregnancy, so if life-style modifications fail to manage GERD symptoms, these medications can be added to the antiemetic treatment regimen.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Pregnant women also experience the same symptoms but the severity may vary depending on the trimester and from person to person.
Common symptoms that you may experience when you have acidity include:
Most often pregnant women experience an exacerbation of the symptoms soon after they had food and at bedtime. These symptoms as earlier mentioned may start at any time during pregnancy and may continue to increase.
It is important to note that pregnancy does not cause acidity; it only makes one more susceptible to acidity.
The following are two pregnancy-related contributing factors –
Being pregnant means your body undergoes many hormonal changes to allow the fetus growth and make your body support and maintain it. Some of these hormones make the muscles relax. During the first trimester, the muscles move in a much-relaxed manner like the food pipe pushes the food much slower and the muscles in your stomach also work in a similar fashion in order to facilitate absorption of nutrients and supply them to the growing fetus. But as the food stays in the stomach for a longer time you may feel heartburn.
In the third trimester, in order to accommodate the growing baby, the uterus pushes your stomach way up thus the stomach will be under constant pressure which also results in acidity.
Do not worry as the acidity during pregnancy rarely causes any serious complications. You can either manage the symptoms by following lifestyle changes or with the help of prescribed medications.
Do’s
Don’ts
Many pregnant women suffer from acidity without consulting the doctor as they see it as commonly occurring and consider it as self-limiting. And also they have a strong belief that medications are unsafe for the unborn baby, which is true only to a certain extent. Many medicines are proven to be safe and effective to use under a doctor prescription.
Please do consult your doctor before self-medication especially when you are pregnant. Remember that the below-mentioned medicines are only to build your knowledge and trust.
Also Read: Can You Get Pregnant Without Having Sex? Debunking Pregnancy Myths
If your heartburn refused to go away with home medications, see your doctor. They may prescribe or recommend OTC medications that are safe to take during pregnancy. Heartburn usually disappears following childbirth.
If you take iron supplements, talk to your doctor before you take a PPI or H2 blocker. These medications can make the supplements less effective.
Most pregnant women with mild to moderate severity of acidity can manage it with lifestyle changes. But many have severe symptoms resulting in weight loss, disturbed sleep etc. When the symptoms are very severe and bothersome, compromising and severely affecting the quality of life, it is always better to consult the doctor and seek treatment instead of silently suffering or self-medicating.
Do not think too much about acidity. As already mentioned you are not alone, almost one-quarter of women suffer from acidity during pregnancy. After delivery, your body comes back to normal and your acidity will subside. Many doctors around the world had successfully treated their patients during pregnancy with safe and effective medicines.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Yes, you heard it right! You must have noticed that before or during stressful situations like attending an important meeting, an office presentation, interview or meeting someone special, you tend to experience acid reflux or heartburn which is commonly referred to as acidity.
Stress or anxiety once in a while does not pose much concern, but stress over a period of time can have deleterious effects on our bodies. And stress is directly correlated to acidity, implying the more stress you take the more you experience the symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn. It’s important to know how stress is related to acidity so that you can manage them both effectively.
Emotional stress can increase acid production in the stomach, aggravating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In people with GERD, the lower esophageal sphincter muscle (which acts as a door between the stomach and the esophagus) doesn’t work properly stress can increase the heartburn.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
The food we eat travels from our mouth to stomach via food pipe or oesophagus. The gastric acid produced in your stomach helps in the digestion of food.
Acidity, also known as acid reflux, occurs when the gastric juices mostly gastric acid from your stomach escape back to the food pipe. When the gastric acid produced in your stomach is present in your food pipe or oesophagus, it irritates the lining of the food pipe causing various symptoms like heartburn, nausea, etc.
Common symptoms of acidity include –
When you experience symptoms of acidity more than twice a week, it is called GERD or Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease.
Many factors contribute to GERD as mentioned below –
Nine out of 10 pregnant patients develop symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by their third trimester. Medications may help control the symptoms and it usually goes away or improves after the delivery.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
Stress in itself may not cause GERD, but it can aggravate your symptoms and severity.
Stress-related behavioural changes that lead to an increase in GERD symptoms –
Studies show that whenever we are stressed or anxious, we tend to experience more severe symptoms as we become more sensitive to gastric acids. It has to be noted that under stressful or anxious situations, one does not produce more gastric acid but becomes sensitive to even small amounts of gastric acids resulting in symptoms.
Research says that when a person is stressed, a lot of chemical changes happen in the brain, which in turn act on the pain receptors thus making the person more sensitive to pain. In GERD, when under stress a person becomes more sensitive to even a slight increase in gastric acid.
Stress also depletes a chemical called prostaglandin that helps in protecting your stomach from the ill effects of gastric acid, as a result, you will feel extreme discomfort from gastric acid.
Stress also alters the way the food pipe or oesophagus works. The muscles of the oesophagus and the sphincter of the oesophagus that prevents the backward flow of stomach acids is reduced thus resulting in symptoms of GERD.
Even before treating GERD, it is very important to get a proper diagnosis of GERD by your doctor. Management of GERD involves both lifestyle modifications that include stress coping mechanisms and medical treatment with medicines.
GERD symptoms reduce the quality of life, so it is always better to seek medical treatment. Your doctor upon assessing your condition will prescribe any or a combination of medicines to treat GERD.
It is important to note that stress not only affects your GERD symptoms but it also affects your overall health as it can cause various diseases of heart, irritable bowel syndrome and increases the risk of stroke. Studies have shown that even under medication for GERD, half of the people still find that stress increases their GERD symptoms. After knowing the science behind stress and its ill effects on your stomach, it is always better to manage your stress to control your GERD symptoms.
Exercise releases a natural feel-good hormone that in turn makes you feel relaxed and most importantly helps you forget your stressors to some extent.
For a few people, chocolate may trigger acidity and for others coffee or spicy and oily food. Know your trigger foods that trigger your acidity symptoms and avoid consuming them.
Stress and sleep are interrelated, if you don’t get enough sleep, stress hormones get released thus resulting in stress the next day. So, getting enough sleep must be your first priority as inadequate sleep also aggravates your symptoms.
Try relaxation techniques like yoga, tai chi and meditation. The demands of our daily hectic schedule are bound to drain us. These relaxation techniques help in exhaling the negative energy and inhaling the positivity while connecting to our inner selves. Relaxing helps in liberating the negative emotions inside you and reduces your stress and anxiety. Make meditation a part of your daily routine to release negativity and focus on things that you associate with calm, peace and happiness.
Dedicate a part of your day to pursuing your passion, engaging in your hobbies and doing things that bring you comfort and happiness. Modern life and its demands can exhaust us and it is so important to know when to give yourself a break and slow down. Even a small act of self care like taking yourself out for coffee or treating yourself to a movie night can be the solution to your stress.
Sometimes when the stress of your personal or professional life is weighing you down, it is always a good idea to seek help from your loved ones. Let your guard down, let go of your inhibitions and speak your mind out. Bottling up your emotions will only lead to added stress causing you to break down further. If you don’t want to talk to a known person, you can also opt for professional help.
More often than not we can turn to nobody but ourselves. You are your biggest supporter so it’s important that you treat yourself with compassion and love. Talk to yourself like you would talk to a close friend and instead of being harsh on yourself, understand and evaluate how you are feeling and how you can positively deal with it. Resort to positive affirmations to be kind to yourself.
In most circumstances, life is unpredictable and sometimes the challenges it throws at us is anything but under our control. So, next time when something doesn’t go the way you expected it to go, understand that dwelling on it will only instill more negative emotions in you. Instead, learn to accept change as it comes and look at the brighter side of things.
Also Read: Omee Tablet Uses
Even though scientists are still working on the relationship between stress and acidity, it is important to identify and manage both. As both GERD and stress can negatively impact your quality of life along with deleterious effects on your body. You can successfully manage your stress with stress coping strategies but you should visit your doctor for the diagnosis and treatment of GERD.
It is important to note that some symptoms of stress and GERD coincide with chest pain, which is also a major symptom of a heart attack. It is always important to seek the help of a doctor when in doubt rather than self-diagnosing and self-treatment.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Reference
1.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15184707/#:~:text=Affective%20and%20subjective%20stress%20ratings,depression%20to%20heartburn%20medication%20use.
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30347938/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28979749/
Holiday meals are quite close to our heart; we eat all the comfort food guilt-free during holidays. Post the massive lunch and dinner, everyone in the house is either glued to the television screen or just relaxing on the couch. These large meals are a downside of festivities and a sure-fire recipe for indigestion, further leading to acid reflux.
But why make heartburn a part of your yearly tradition??
Too much fatty & spicy food with caffeine and alcohol is a slippery slope leading to indigestion. On holidays you tend to overstuff yourself, and when you tend to recline on the couch, you unknowingly tilt your stomach – which allows the stomach acid to spill into the oesophagus. This results in a slow-burning feeling that works its way upward into the oesophagus causing acid reflux, better known as heartburn.
Between the oesophagus and the stomach, there is a little muscle which controls acidity problems. As we get older, this muscle gradually relaxes implicating easier access of stomach acid to the oesophagus. When we are standing, gravity helps keep stomach acid from migrating upward. But when we lie down, and especially when a full stomach is applying internal pressure, stomach acid gets pushed into the oesophagus.
Did you know that those extra pounds around your waistline add to that internal pressure? Many of us are not aware of it! Also, excess fatty food consumption slows your digestion to the extent that heartburn turns into a REALITY!
There’s nothing wrong with treating heartburn more aggressively during the holiday season, when large or heavy meals, rich desserts, and increased alcohol consumption are common. Some over-the-counter medicines can effectively treat acid reflux. For best results, take the medication before you sit down to enjoy a large meal.
Lifestyle changes should be the first choice for managing acidity while some people may require medications to prevent/treat acid reflux and heartburn. Your doctor may suggest certain over-the-counter or prescribed medications that provide relief from acid reflux, such as:
For serious acid reflux, proton pump inhibitors like Omeprazole are the most effective treatment and show the highest published evidence regarding its safety profile. All PPIs show similar efficacy, however, since the past 25 years, Omeprazole has remained a valuable treatment for clinicians owing to its efficacy and safety in acid reflux and heartburn and remains the most used PPI globally with more than 40% prescription share worldwide.
Know more about Omeprazole
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
You may not know it, but acidity can peak or worsen during the winter season. This could be due to staying home for long, being physically inactive, having a sedentary lifestyle and eating oily, spicy and junk foods. The reduced physical activity and increased caloric intake result in higher body mass index.
All these factors lead to a slow digestion process, ultimately causing acid reflux and heartburn. So, if you are physically inactive, your digestive system can lead to acid reflux and pain. Adopting preventive measures to avoid acidity is the perfect solution to your problem.
Chilly winter weather affects more than just temperature. Your body experiences changes in energy levels, metabolism and, even, food choices. When you get cold, do you skip the gym and convince yourself that you deserve a calorie splurge to warm up and offset your discomfort? Well, you’re not the only one! However, the fact is that no weather warrants overindulging on unhealthy foods and eating habits. Just as you should not overeat ice-cream during the hottest summer days, you should not live on an unhealthy diet of spicy/oily/junk food during winter either, as it may cause acid reflux.
As winter approaches, we tend to attribute a whole bunch of symptoms of having a cold such as a runny nose, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue and so on. For treating pain and aches, we take a painkiller while, to treat cold and cough symptoms, we usually pop an antibiotic. Although unhealthy food habits and poor lifestyle choices are major causes of acidity and heartburn, certain types of medicines like antibiotics and painkillers can also trigger acidity.
Apart from food and lifestyle, certain painkillers that you take can also cause heartburn and acidity. Most painkillers, like aspirin and ibuprofen, used to treat mild-to-moderate pain, belong to the drug class called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Although they help alleviate pain, they can cause acidity and ulcers in the stomach. A study done in 2008 has found that 27% of individuals using NSAIDs reported heartburn, acid regurgitation or both compared to 19% non-users. Regular use of anti-inflammatory painkillers can increase the risk of ulcers up to five times, along with indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation and bloody stools.
Enormous microbiomes are present in the stomach and intestines, including bacteria (both good and bad) that help in the digestion process. Antibiotics that are used to treat bacterial infections in the body, unfortunately, cannot differentiate between the good and bad bacteria present in the gut and produce side effects such as, nausea and vomiting, acid reflux, heartburn, gas and bloating, cramping and diarrhoea.
Patients who use painkillers frequently, acidity, heartburn and stomach ulcers can pose a grave problem. Different ways to alleviate the symptoms include:
Post antibiotic intake, restore your gut health with these simple tips:
Many over-the-counter, as well as prescribed medications, can help relieve acid reflux and heartburn. These include:
These medicines are most helpful for people who have heartburn often, i.e., more than two days a week. In case of severe acidity, the patient may have to undergo surgery (vagotomy) to curb the acid production in the stomach.
Know more about Omeprazole
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
We usually want to binge eat during the holiday season and we wait for it to arrive soon so that we can eat our favourite food. To add to it, the foods we usually want to eat more are richer, fattier foods that are slow to empty the stomach.
A typical scene we experience at our homes post the massive holiday lunch/dinner is lounging around, and watching favourite shows/cricket/football matches. Well, sitting around, lying down and overindulgence can easily put a downer to your holiday festivities. How? It not only keeps all the food trapped in our stomach but also lets gravity give stomach acid an extra boost to creep into the oesophagus. And before you can say ‘Gaajar Ka Halwa’, your unwanted guest has arrived: Acid reflux!
Heartburn/acidity results in the digestive tract, causing pain in the chest and is majorly triggered by fatty/junk foods, alcohol and huge meals. So, when heartburn strikes, get ready to say no to those sweets and savouries lying in your kitchen.
Or, you can also learn to manage your acidity problems like a pro. Read on to find out how:
You should try Peppermint tea if you suffer from indigestion. However, avoid peppermint if you have heartburn as it can cause further discomfort.
Pick some mint leaves fresh from the plant and put them in a mug of hot water. If you don’t have fresh mint, use mint tea bags.
For centuries, ginger is used for treating digestive problems. Ginger helps soothe heartburn by reducing the production of stomach acid. It also helps relieve nausea, which may be useful after an indulgent Christmas meal!
Try a few slices of root ginger in hot water as a gentle ginger tea.
Also Read: Pantoprazole Foods to Avoid
The acidity of apple cider vinegar mimics your stomach acid, making it easier for proper digestion of food, especially fatty foods.
Stir apple cider vinegar (one teaspoon to two tablespoons) into a glass of water and drink it before a meal.
These are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and for relieving indigestion. Coriander has more of a cooling effect as well as stimulating the production of digestive enzymes.
Combine a teaspoon of coriander seed powder in hot water for a simple indigestion remedy.
Taking baking soda/sodium bicarbonate causes neutralisation of excess acid, making you feel comfortable again. Baking soda shouldn’t be used often.
Drink half a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and keep drinking it every two hours until you feel better.
Tight clothing can make you feel uncomfortable, especially if you are sitting down and eating. Your stomach needs some room to expand a little, so tight-fitting shapewear or belts that push your stomach in can leave you feeling sick, or cause heartburn.
Wear loose-fitting clothes so that you do not need to loosen your belt during a meal.
Also Read: Omee Capsule
If you are predisposed to acidity, do consider taking an acid-lowering medicine.
Also Read: Dietary Tips: Foods To Avoid With Acid Reflux
While lifestyle changes must be the first choice for managing acidity, some people may require medications to prevent/treat acid reflux and heartburn. Your doctor may suggest certain medications that provide relief from acid reflux, such as:
For severe acid reflux, Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, is the most effective treatment and shows highest published evidence regarding its safety profile. All PPIs show similar efficacy. However, since the past 25 years, Omeprazole has remained a valuable treatment for clinicians owing to its effectiveness and safety in acid reflux and heartburn and remains the most used PPI globally with more than 40% prescription share worldwide.
Everyone deserves to eat and drink whatever they love, especially during the time of Christmas. But gorging on too much fatty or junk food may end up giving you a niggle. Good digestion is a great feeling and makes you feel good keeping the fun on. Keep these tips and tricks in mind in case you end up with heartburn or acidity. Make a resolution to yourself to be acidity-free in the coming year and have a happier Christmas eve!
Know more about Omeprazole
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