Experiencing a burning pain in your chest after a particular type of meal, especially after dinner is called heartburn. It is common and is not a cause of concern if it happens occasionally. However, when you go through this pain frequently, more than two times a week, and if it is accompanied by a bitter taste in your mouth or worsens when you lie down or bend over after a heavy meal, especially before bedtime, it could hamper your routine. In such cases, you must address the medical condition that causes it.
Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease or GERD occurs when the acid from the stomach moves upward into the esophagus as reflux. In chronic cases, this can cause inflammation of the esophagus, trouble swallowing, bad breath, and dry cough. The risk of developing increases considerably for pregnant women, people who smoke or consume alcohol, people who are overweight, those who suffer from stomach abnormalities like hiatal hernia, or those who are on antihistamines, blood pressure medications, or antidepressants.
1. Causes of GERD
Apart from alcohol, eating certain foods could also cause acid reflux and heartburn, and avoiding these are ways to prevent the symptoms of GERD. For some patients, aerated drinks, tomatoes, onions, garlic, chilies, mint, peppermint, citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, all caffeinated foods and beverages, and spicy or deep-fried foods can trigger symptoms.
2. Treatments
Over-the-counter medicines like antacids remain the simplest form of treatment. H2 blockers and Proton pump inhibitors are the other medicines that do not require a doctor’s prescription and help improve the condition by reducing the production of stomach acid.
3. Foods to prevent heartburn and GERD
Apart from making lifestyle changes, there are certain foods you can consume to prevent heartburn and other symptoms of GERD:
- A cup of oatmeal with some sliced bananas in a bowl of almond milk or yogurt is a good breakfast option to start the day with.
- Whole-grain bread has vitamins and minerals and is an excellent source of fiber.
- A juicy pear, an apple, or a small cup of cranberries or blackberries can be enjoyed as a snack. The fiber and healthy chemical compounds present in these not only help reduce acid reflux but also help heal the esophagus.
- If you suffer from acid reflux and like garden-fresh green vegetables, you can steam, sauté, or puree into soup any of them to help prevent heartburn. All of these soothe your digestive system and help lower the production of stomach acid.
- Early in the afternoon, a cup of warm caffeine-free ginger tea would help soothe the stomach and is ideal to prevent acid reflux. You can have it with a spoon of honey if you like it sweet.
4. Limit intake of food triggers
Another way is to maintain a food diary to help identify trigger foods and avoid them, along with identifying foods that help prevent or alleviate heartburn and other GERD symptoms.