Tips on GERD - Foods to Avoid
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a painful condition that causes chronic heartburn; for those suffering from GERD, foods to avoid are the first things to learn to prevent symptoms from occurring.
Everyone from time to time experiences heartburn, a condition that occurs when stomach acid seeps upward from the stomach into the esophagus. The digestive process normally begins working when we eat. Food is chewed and swallowed, pushing down the esophagus; a long tube that extends from the mouth to the stomach. Powerful muscles that ripple along the length of the esophagus serve to push the chewed food and work its way down to the stomach. Once in the stomach, a special gastric acid coats the food as it is churned by strong stomach muscles to help break it down into smaller particles before moving to the next step in the digestive process. Occasionally, however, the natural process does not proceed as intended. The lower esophageal sphincter is a round band of muscles that relaxes to permit fluids and food into the stomach and then tightens again. Sometimes, the sphincter muscle relaxes when it shouldn’t; allowing stomach acid to escape the stomach and flow back up into the esophagus. The acid burns the delicate lining; causing heartburn. In certain people, this is not a temporary or infrequent condition, but rather a chronic one as the weakened sphincter does not properly close; causing a condition called GERD.
WHAT IS GERD?
GERD is gastro esophageal reflux disease; a condition that is created by recurrent acid backup into the esophageal tube. The tube becomes extremely irritated and inflamed and over time will suffer permanent damage if the GERD goes untreated. In addition, individuals with this disease have a much higher risk of developing esophageal cancer due to damage done to the lining. Other symptoms include nausea, sore throat, hoarseness, chest pain, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing and sleep apnea. The good news is that these symptoms can be treated and be vastly reduced in intensity so that sufferers can live natural lives with just a few adjustments. One such adjustment is the diet for those who are diagnosed with GERD; foods to avoid are crucial dietary amendments that can lessen the painful symptoms.
FOODS THAT AGGRAVATE GERD SYMPTOMS
The foods that we eat can have any number of different affects on our body. Particular foods and beverages have properties that tend to irritate the lining of the esophagus and the stomach: coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, pineapple, whole milk products, onions, carbonated beverages and chocolate are all substances that must be avoided by those who have GERD. Because obesity is known to be a contributing factor to the disease, those who have GERD should adopt a low fat diet, eliminating processed meats and cheeses, fatty and fried foods and any food items that are high in saturated fats from their diets.
SITUATIONS THAT AGGRAVATE GERD SYMPTOMS
In addition to closely monitoring the diet to curb the symptoms of GERD, it is essential for sufferers to make other changes in their lifestyles. Because stomach acid and the stomach contents will back up into the esophagus more readily if the individual is lying down, meals should not be eaten before going to bed. Using tobacco products and chewing gum should also be avoided.
Fortunately, making adjustments can often bring relief to individuals who suffer from GERD. Foods to avoid, situations to avoid along with medication prescribed to inhibit the production of stomach acid can often have the result of easing the symptoms of GERD as well as improving the overall health and weight of the individual.