Millions of people suffer from occasional heartburn, and it’s more of a pest than a real health problem. Unfortunately, for other individuals, heartburn is chronic. These individuals are experiencing heartburn more than twice a week. For them, their heartburn may be a symptom of a serious health problem: gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a disorder that results from stomach acid moving backward from the stomach into the esophagus. GERD usually happens because the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscular valve where the esophagus joins the stomach) opens at the wrong time or does not close properly. GERD causes a variety of short and long-term symptoms from burning, belching and bloating to cancer of the esophagus. Here are seven tips on preventing GERD:
- Eat smaller meals. A full stomach can put extra pressure on the LES, which can increase the probability that some of this food will reflux into the esophagus.
- Weight Loss. Obesity is the leading cause of GERD. Extra weight in the stomach area places pressure on your abdomen, pushing gastric juices up into your esophagus.
- Avoid foods that cause acid reflux. These foods include: acidic, spicy and fatty foods as well as carbonated or caffeinated beverages.
- Eat the right foods. These certain food can help create an alkaline state in the stomach as well as the bloodstream. Some of these foods are organic apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, organic raw honey, fresh fruit and vegetable juices and whole grains such as amaranth, and millet.
- Elevate your body when sleeping. Use an acid reflux pillow wedge to raise the body about 45 degrees so stomach acids are less likely to back up into the esophagus. With the head higher than the stomach, gravity helps reduce this pressure.
- No Smoking. Nicotine relaxes the esophageal sphincter. Smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes. Do not wear tight clothing or belts that can constrict your stomach.
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