Around five million Canadians suffer from heartburn once a week. This is most common among pregnant women, but most people might have experienced that burning sensation and sour tastes in the mouth.
Acid reflux, also known as heartburn, pyrosis, acid indigestion, or gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a chronic condition involving the digestive system. It happens if there is a backward flow of stomach fluid and acid through the esophagus. People who suffer from reflux often describe feeling a burning sensation in the chest, which can sometimes be mistaken as a sign of a heart attack.
Acid reflux, when untreated, advances to gastroesophageal reflux disease. You will know if your reflux progresses to GERD if you are experiencing heartburn at least twice a week.
What usually causes acid reflux?
Hydrochloric acid is the main stomach fluid responsible for food break down and pathogen protection. The stomach has a special lining that can protect it from this acid but once it backflows, it damages the vulnerable esophagus, which does not have the same protective lining.
Reflux can affect any person and any age group but some people are more at risk of this. Some habits can also increase your probability of having the condition. Common risk factors include:
- Eating a heavy mean and then lying down after
- Obesity
- Having snacks or meals before bedtime
- Consuming spicy, fatty, or sour food
- Drinking highly acidic fluids like soda, alcohol, tea, or coffee
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- The side effect of some medication
What are the symptoms of acid reflux?
If you are suffering from reflux, you may frequently feel heartburn, or the burning pain from your stomach running to your chest or throat. You can also taste sour liquid in your mouth, caused by stomach acid backflow.
Sometimes, it is also accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Frequent loud burping
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Bad breath and weakened teeth
- Abdominal pains
- Breathing problems
If you are experiencing these recurring episodes of these symptoms, you might want to consider changing some habits and implementing some changes in diet to avoid acid reflux. Here are five things you can do to relieve and manage this condition:
1. Avoid some foods and drinks.
If you are suffering from acid reflux, you must be careful about what you eat and drink. As much as possible, avoid dishes and beverages that can trigger heartburn. Fatty food, onions, garlic, mint, spicy foods, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, and alcohol are all known culprits that can cause acid indigestion. Opt for vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats from avocado, sunflower oil, olive oil, flaxseed, and nuts.
2. Lose some weight.
If advised by your healthcare provider, lose some pounds. Obesity can be a risk factor for acid heartburn. That is because when your weight increases, the muscular structure supporting the lower esophageal sphincter spreads. This, in turn, decreases the pressure that keeps the sphincter closed, which leads to recurring heartburns.
3. Eat slowly.
A full stomach is likely to send acids back flowing to the esophagus. If you are a fan of frequently consuming big meals, maybe it is time to change how you eat so that you can manage your heartburn. Start by eating slowly, consuming small but frequent meals throughout the day instead of enjoying three heavy meals.
4. Do not sleep or lay down after eating.
If you have eaten a heavy meal, avoid going to bed. You are more likely to suffer acid reflux if you lay down after consuming a full course meal. After dinner, try to stay up for around two hours after eating to avoid the heartburn.
5. Make it a habit to sleep in an inclined position.
Recurring reflux brings great discomfort, especially if it comes while you are resting on your bed. To avoid experiencing this, try elevating your body while resting or sleeping. Putting a pile of pillows on your back is one easy way to do it, but it will not give you uniform support. If you can, try to buy bed risers.
You can manage reflux, but if you experience the following signs, please see your family doctor, specialist, or online doctor Ontario immediately:
- Feeling heartburns more than two times in a week
- The attacks become noticeably more intense
- The acid reflux is disrupting your sleep
If you need fast relief for your acid reflux you can also consult a medical practitioner regarding prescription drugs that will relieve the discomfort. This is an illness that would not usually require hospital admission, but going to the nearest clinic is recommended. If you are hesitant to go out of your home because of the Covid-19 outbreak, you can still consult with a physician through virtual healthcare providers.
