PharmEasy Blog

Higher Acid Reflux During Winters? Yeah, You Heard That Right!

To know how cold weather alleviates acid reflux as well as some quick and easy measures to cope with it, continue reading.

Acidity and heartburn, albeit very common, bothers most of us due to their annoying symptoms.   Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acidity occurs when acid from the stomach leaks into the oesophagus. This results in heartburn and, many times, an unpleasant sour taste in the mouth. But is it true that many people suffer more from acidity during the winter season? Read on.

Your acid reflux worsens in winter! Find out why.

Acidity may peak or worsen during the winter. This is probably due to staying indoors for long, being less physically active and eating oily, spicy and junk foods during the winter season. The increased caloric intake and reduced physical activity result in a higher body mass index than that in summer. All these factors lead to a slow digestion process, ultimately causing acid reflux.

Thus, if people eat or overindulge in the wrong food and are physically inactive, the digestive system can become a source of a considerable illness such as acid reflux. Increased risk of acid reflux also comes down to specific biological factors, apart from less exercise and digestive issues.  

Another factor to consider with acid reflux is the lower amount of sunlight you get during winter. Whether you live in colder geography or experience days that are shorter during the winter months, this season may result in much lower sunlight exposure. Less sunlight on the skin means that your body is producing much less vitamin D (the body naturally creates this vitamin when sunlight hits your skin). Low vitamin D levels can result in the oesophageal sphincter relaxing, which allows acid to pass into the oesophagus.  

Lastly, another potential trigger for acid reflux specific to winter may be increased alcohol consumption. The winter months are usually also the holiday season for many people around the world and while moderate alcohol consumption is okay, drinking too often or too much can be an aggravator for an acid attack. Alcohol is acidic and also causes increased acid reflux symptoms. Cutting down or keeping track of your alcohol intake can be a keep factor in reducing your symptoms during the winter.  

This is why it is always a great idea to adopt preventive measures and avoid acidity problems. Below we’ve noted down similar, easy acid reflux home remedies that are quick and effective.

The quick tips and tricks given below can help you cope with seasonal digestive distress:

1. Eat smaller and more frequent meals

For preventing indigestion, eat smaller & more frequent meals.

2. Take it slow

Practice mindful eating; taste your food, savour it, space it out. If you fill your stomach too fast, you’ll feel gas, bloating and discomfort. One good way to slow down food intake is by cutting your food into small pieces, then chewing each bite well.

3. Store food safely

Keep cold foods in the refrigerator, hot foods in a suitable place, and if you have doubts about that salad, steak, or other foods, discard them. Perishable food should not be kept for more than 2 hours at room temperature.

4. Avoid fried and acidic foods

To prevent acidity, bloating, and other symptoms of overindulgence, limit or avoid fatty food like fried foods and cheese, aerated foods like sodas and beans, and acidic foods like citrus, tomatoes, colas, tea, and coffee. These foods take longer to digest and increase the risk of heartburn.

5. Keep yourself hydrated

Make sure you’re getting enough fluids. Don’t gulp down glass after glass, which can cause you to swallow air, leading to bloating and gas. Drink sensibly when you are thirsty.

acid reflux

The below-mentioned home remedies are easy on your stomach. You can try all of these and see what works best for you.

This winter, manage acid reflux with medication-

Medications to get relief from acid reflux and heartburn is an effective and efficient way of treating GERD. Several available treatments include antacids (neutralise stomach acids), H2-receptor blockers (reduce acid production) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs; block acid production and heal the oesophagus). Make sure you consult the doctor to find the right treatment for your condition this winter and enjoy food without suffering from acidity.

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.

17
1

Top 5 Vegetables To Include In Your Diet This Winter

When the mercury drops, there is a high chance your immunity may too. The best way to stay healthy and fit during winters is to consume vegetables rich in antioxidants and immunity-boosting nutrients. If you are wondering which vegetables to eat in winter in India, then here is a curated list just for you.

Spinach

If you think spinach is your regular leafy green then you are mistaken because it is a vegetable that can impart a multitude of health benefits during winters. It contains Vitamins A, B, C, E, K, Zinc, Magnesium and large amounts of Iron. This means it can help strengthen your immunity, bones, prevent loss of vision, improve your haemoglobin and reduce inflammation in your body, making it one of the many amazing vegetables to eat in winter in India.  

Carrots

Carrots have always been considered among the healthiest winter foods and for good reason. It contains Vitamins A, B, B2, B3, C, K and beta-carotene. Moreover, carrots have also been found to help in the treatment and recovery of people suffering from cancer, diabetes and heart diseases. Since carrots are rich in antioxidants, they make the perfect winter food and are beneficial for your skin as well.

Beetroot

This bright red vegetable is often eaten in winters because it is packed with Iron, Vitamins A, B6 and C. Beetroots are considered one of the best vegetables to eat in winter because they can help detoxify the liver, reduce the risk of diabetes and even help combat obesity that may develop out of a sedentary winter lifestyle. What’s more, it can add a dash of colour to all your dishes during the lacklustre winter months. 

From my knowledge, both broccoli and cauliflower are rich in vitamin C, which is linked to improved immunological performance. These cruciferous veggies may be your best line of defence against winter illnesses, along with getting flu vaccination and washing your hands frequently. If fresh vegetables are unavailable, don’t worry; frozen broccoli and cauliflower are just as healthy.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD

White Radish

A popular winter vegetable in many parts of northern and eastern India, white radish contains Potassium, Sodium, Vitamin C and Magnesium. Moreover, it has a low-calorific value but high water content, which can help you stay hydrated in winters. Since these nutrients can help your body fight off ailments like the flu, it is an excellent winter vegetable to add to your diet.

Broccoli

Last but not least, a list of the best vegetables to eat in winter is incomplete without broccoli. Broccoli is among the healthiest green vegetables because it contains an abundance of Calcium, Zinc, Selenium, Folate, Vitamins B6, B12, C and K. Moreover, with high fibre content, broccoli also helps ease your bowel movements. It is best eaten during winters because the micronutrients it contains can help your body fight off bacteria and viruses that thrive during this season.

Apart from these, there are several other foods like Indian gooseberry (Amla), Radish pods, Hyacinth beans and Sweet potato that fall under the category of vegetables to eat in winter in India. This is because they are readily available in your local market and provide a host of health benefits too.

In my experience, soup is the ideal wintertime dish. Look for soup recipes of vegetable broth with lots of veggies. Your soup will have additional fibre and fat-free protein if you add lentils. Because they slow down digestion and regulate blood sugar, protein and fibre help you feel fuller for longer while also improving your mood.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Best dishes with winter vegetables

While vegetables like carrots, white radish and beetroot might be eaten raw in the form of salads by some, there are some extremely delicious dishes you can prepare with them too. 

For example, you can have pickled carrots (Gajar ka Achar) which is a staple of Rajasthanis during winters. You could also cook up a colourful Beetroot Pachadi (which is a traditional dish from Kerala). 

When it comes to white radish, you can try your hand at making Mooli ka Achar (pickled white radish) which is a Bihari traditional dish or even Mooli ki Sabzi (white radish curry) which is a staple of Punjab.

Takeaway

There are umpteen ways of adding these vegetables to eat in winter to your diet, add them to your salads, smoothies, soups or prepare different dishes as loved by your tastebuds. The most important thing is that you start to consider doing so in the first place because these seasonal vegetables can prove to be a very healthy and delicious way to keep you fit. Add some physical activities like running, walking or jogging to your daily routine for good health. By mixing up your daily diet with a blend of all these, you can provide your immune system with the strength it needs during winter. 

Also Read: Smashed Brussel Sprouts: A Gourmet Recipe And Its Nutritional Value

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.

35
2

Why Do More People Get Heart Attacks In Winter?

Introduction 

Heart attacks are worrisome in their own right, but did you know that data shows heart attacks (and strokes) are more common in the winter? Several studies over the years have confirmed that this statistic is certainly not a fluke, which has led to further investigation.

Why more heart attacks in winter? What could be causing this phenomenon and is there any way you can lower your risk? The great thing is that since its discovery, many doctors and cardiology experts have put forth the potential causes for this rise. Let’s understand the issue and later look at what you can do to stay away from this health issue.

What is causing more heart attacks in winter?

Before we get into the probable causes, first we need to understand what it means when we say that there are more heart attacks in the winter months. Let’s take an imaginary hospital as an example. If we make a list of all patients who come to this hospital during 1 year, for some reason we will see that during the colder months more people had heart attacks. According to some studies (conducted in the real world), there may be a 31-33% higher incidence of heart attacks in winter and every 1-degree Celsius drop in temperature came with a 0.49% increase in deaths from all causes. 

Most heart attacks occur in the morning, a phenomenon that researchers have linked to circadian rhythm. In the morning hours, increasing the circadian-driven secretion of certain hormones, which may be a trigger for subsequent increases in oxygen demand and blood pressure, a pattern with the season is also known in the literature.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

With that out of the way, let’s delve into the reasons this may be happening. 

The cold causes blood vessels to contract. This can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Angina, or chest pain due to coronary heart disease, can also worsen in winter when coronary arteries constrict in the cold so keeping yourself warm is very important.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Does this mean I am at risk?

While the above reasons and mechanisms are universal to humans, it’s not that any one of them can cause a heart attack. Rather, each factor plays a part in successively increasing the risk but even all these things together may not be enough. It comes down to being at risk for a heart attack before the cold weather. People who are already at risk may find their bodies pushed to the limits during winter, which may potentially lead to a higher risk of a cardiac incident. 

Who is at a higher risk for a heart attack in winter?

Most cardiologists suggest that older people, those who smoke or drink regularly and those who do not get any regular activity are most at risk. By limiting your exposure to colder temperatures and keeping up a regular amount of daily physical activity, these people may be able to lower their risk of a heart attack in winter.

Sudden chest pain, chest discomfort or fullness should not be confused with acidity or gas especially when the pain spreads to your left arm and if they are accompanied by sweating or breathing difficulty. Seeking urgent attention in such situations without any delay can be helpful to save a life.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

The upcoming winter – Looking forward  

With winter coming around soon, we want to stress that the purpose of this post is not to cause fear and alarm. There are plenty of things you can do to stay fit-

  1. Stay warm to protect yourself from cold weather
  2. Get plenty of physical activity (as per your doctor’s recommendations) 
  3. Follow up with your doctor for a routine health checkup and review of ongoing medications.
  4. Healthy eating habits
  5. Stay away from smoke and alcohol as much as possible

If you are someone who is at risk, you may want to do blood pressure and blood sugar check-ups regularly and maintain them in a healthy range. Additionally, you can always speak with your doctor if you are worried about how to handle the upcoming season. Don’t forget that staying happy and stress-free is always recommended for good health.

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

Sources: 

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851242/
  2. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/12/11/cold-heart-facts-why-you-need-to-watch-out-in-winter
20
2