This week's focus: A Healthier You: Acid Reflux & Effects

Note: This brochure discusses diet and lifestyle changes that published research has shown may prevent against and support management of acid reflux. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about your options and before making changes to your everyday nutrition and self-care practices.

Overview

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD or acid reflux, is a disorder of the esophagus that causes frequent symptoms of heartburn. The mouth is connected to the stomach by a tube known as the esophagus. When the muscular ring, or sphincter, of the lower esophagus is weakened, irritating stomach acids and foods pass up into the esophageal tube, resulting in heartburn.

Heartburn usually feels like a burning pain that begins in the chest and may travel upward to the throat. Many people also feel a regurgitation of stomach contents into the mouth, which leaves an acid or bitter taste. Some people with GERD may also need to cough when lying down, and may experience increased saliva production, difficulty sleeping after eating, and tooth decay.

It is important to control acid reflux, as chronic irritation of the esophagus by stomach acid can eventually cause ulceration and scarring that in turn may lead to other problems, especially in people who smoke and/or consume large amounts of alcohol.

Top Tips for Preventing & Managing Acid Reflux

Eat Right

• Chew your food well: Chewing breaks down food to easier-to digest particle sizes. Chewing also stimulates the production of saliva, which contains natural compounds that protect the esophagus from the adverse effects of stomach acid.
• Uncover the irritants: Experiment with your diet to find out what triggers the discomfort. Spicy foods, peppermint, spearmint, chocolate, and acidic beverages are all potential culprits.
• Try a low-fat diet: Although it is somewhat unclear whether lowering dietary fat is important for people who experience acid reflux, some people have found relief from symptoms when following a low-fat diet.
• Watch the milk: Infants who suffer from GERD may have an allergy to cows milk. Studies have shown that eliminating milk products from the diet improves symptoms for infants with milk allergies.
• Try a low-carb diet: In one study, obese people with acid reflux who ate a very-low-carbohydrate diet saw significant improvement. Further research is needed to determine this diet’s safety and effectiveness.

Live Right

• Slim down: Aim for a healthy weight to reduce your risk of developing GERD.
• Don't overdo alcohol: Avoid excessive alcohol use that weakens the esophageal sphincter and increases the risk of acid reflux symptoms.
• Address your stress: To reduce the impact of stress on your stomach health, find a program that includes group counseling, instruction in coping skills, relaxation training, and other helpful techniques for stress reduction.
• Keep your children smoke-free: Avoid exposing your infant child to secondhand smoke, as it has been linked with GERD.
• Think about your teeth: Acid reflux may cause highly corrosive stomach acids to travel up the esophagus to the mouth, causing tooth decay so it's important to take extra care cleaning your teeth while you find ways to control GERD symptoms.
• Check your child for allergies: See a health professional to find out if your infant child has allergies to milk or other proteins that can increase the risk of GERD.
• Stay up: Lying down prevents gravity from keeping the stomach contents well below the opening of the esophagus, so many authorities recommend that people with acid reflux symptoms avoid lying down sooner than three hours after a meal, and suggest elevating the head of the bed to prevent symptoms during sleep.
• Go easy with the exercise: GERD occurs more frequently during exercise than at rest, and can be a cause of chest pain or abdominal pain during exertion. It makes sense for people experiencing acid reflux to use exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, but to choose gentle activities that are less likely to cause symptoms.

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Disclaimer: The information in this page was prepared by Aisle7 for educational purposes only; it is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Health claims are based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications, diet, or exercise habits. Aisle7, Walmart, and Pierce Promotions make no representations concerning the information contained in this article and disclaim any liability for such information and the decisions you make based on such information.