Diet and Acid Reflux

Many people in Waxahachie will experience acid reflux or ulcers at some point in their lives. These are relatively common gastrointestinal issues. Reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter muscles do not close off the passage between your stomach and your esophagus after food passes down into your stomach. This allows the food to come back up, along with stomach acid, causing the symptoms associated with acid reflux, or heartburn. Sometimes this acid can damage the walls of the esophagus, causing ulcers.

If you often suffer from reflux, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Certain foods in the diet may make GERD more likely, although these vary from person to person. Common trigger foods include chocolate, tomatoes, spicy foods, fatty foods, citrus fruits and dairy products. Keeping a food diary and listing any symptoms you have after eating each meal may help you determine which foods trigger your reflux so you can avoid these foods.

Changing the way you eat can also make a difference in minimizing GERD symptoms. Eating large meals makes reflux more likely, so try to eat smaller meals more often. Lying down after eating can also make reflux more likely since it puts more pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter. Not eating near bedtime, raising the head of your bed, and losing any excess weight you may be carrying can all help minimize your symptoms of GERD.

For the occasional problem with heartburn, reflux treatment options include using over the counter antacids or proton pump inhibitors. If you suffer from GERD and these medications do not work well for you, your doctor may prescribe another acid reflux treatment.