As the Christmas season approaches many of us will be eating and drinking more than usual and may develop heartburn. Occasional heartburn is no cause for alarm, but, if it is more frequent, or interferes with your daily life, it might be a symptom of a more serious disorder and requires medical evaluation.
What is heartburn?
Heartburn also known as pyrosis, cardialgia, or acid indigestion is a form of indigestion, felt as a burning sensation in the chest, just behind the ‘breastborne’. The pain is caused by acid regurgitation into the oesophagus. The pain may be worse when lying down or bending over, and it might vary in intensity.
Heartburn can happen when stomach acid refluxes, or flows up, through a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter and irritates the esophagus.
Do foods cause heartburn?
Yes, certain foods can cause or make heartburn worse. It should be pointed out that eating large amounts of any food at a time can also cause heartburn. Using small portions and smaller plates can help. All of us should remember this over the Christmas holidays.
What foods can influence heartburn?
A variety of foods can cause heartburn or make it worse. The following are some foods associated with heartburn:
Fatty foods
High-fat foods tend to stay in the stomach longer, and the longer they are there, the more likely heartburn can occur. Preparing various foods differently could help relieve your heartburn. You might be able to bake, broil, grill, or roast some foods instead of frying them. You could trim extra fat off meat and poultry, and cut the skin off chicken to help as well.
Acidic foods
Acidic foods – which include tomatoes and products that contain tomatoes (such as tomato sauce and salsa) and citrus fruits (such as oranges, grapefruits and lemons) – — can trigger heartburn, especially if you eat them by themselves – on an empty stomach. Vinegar is also highly acidic –this is a common ingredient in salad dressings and other dishes. If you do want to have acidic foods, limit the portion size and have something else — that isn’t acidic — with it.
Certain Drinks
Certain drinks can make heartburn more likely. Those beverages include coffee (regular or decaffeinated), caffeinated tea, colas, other carbonated drinks, and excess alcoholic beverages. Caffeinated beverages boost acid in the stomach and alcoholic beverages can relax the lower oesophageal sphincter, leading to heartburn. Various sodas, regardless of caffeine, can bloat the stomach, which may lead to heartburn.
To make heartburn less likely, choose drinks that are not fizzy and do not contain caffeine. Options include herbal teas, milk, and plain water. Having water with meals would also dilute stomach acid, making heartburn less likely. You may also want to limit tomato or citrus juices because of their acidity. And if you must have your coffee or other drinks that could promote heartburn, try to cut back — maybe a smaller cup would help.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains caffeine, which can be a heartburn trigger. If you cannot bear the thought of giving up chocolate, see if cutting back helps you avoid heartburn.
Spicy foods
Peppery foods and hot sauces can be heartburn triggers. It is not just scorching hot items that are in question. Peppermint is cool, not fiery, but it may relax the lower oesophageal sphincter, leading to heartburn. Although garlic and onions are not spices, they are flavourful foods that may cause heartburn.
Pregnancy
Being pregnant can also increase your risk of experiencing heartburn. If you are pregnant and experience frequent heartburn see your obstetrician or midwife.
Can you help prevent heartburn?
There are a few things that you can do to help with heartburn. Do not lie down right after a meal — allow three hours between dinner and bedtime. Since smoking and being overweight may also make heartburn more likely, take steps toward a healthier lifestyle, if warranted. Although occasional heartburn is common, you may want to ask your doctor about frequent heartburn, which could be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Do not confuse heartburn with chest pain associated with a heart attack or heart disease. If in doubt seek medical attention immediately.
Treatment
Many medications can help relieve heartburn. The options include antacids and other medications like lansoprazole and omeprazole.
If over-the-counter treatments do not work or you rely on them often, see your doctor. You may need further evaluation and treatment.
Conclusion
Heartburn is a painful burning feeling in your chest or throat. It happens when stomach acid backs up into your oesophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. If you have heartburn more than twice a week, you may have GERD, but you can have GERD without having heartburn.
Pregnancy, certain foods, alcohol, and some medications can cause or aggravate heartburn. Treating heartburn is important because over time reflux can damage the oesophagus. Over-the-counter medicines may help. If the heartburn continues, you may need to see your doctor for prescription medicines or surgery.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG, is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty two years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
