Stress and a busy lifestyle can hinder our health to a great extent, and the advancement of technology has made our lives easier, but not disease-free. Obesity and heart diseases are some of the common conditions experienced by people due to their hectic lifestyle, but regular exercise and proper nutrition help manage and treat these conditions. For example, avoiding foods for heartburn can provide relief from this health issue.
1. Heartburn and its causes
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a bundle of muscles between the stomach and the esophagus. It is a partition between the two organs that opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and closes back to avoid reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. If the LES fails to function properly, the contents of the stomach leak into the esophagus, leading to a burning sensation in the chest called heartburn. Many people describe heartburn as infrequent, mild, and predictable, but it can also become more frequent, stubborn, and even severe.
This condition results in discomfort for the person concerned and often leads to severe health disorders. Heartburn is more frequent after dinner as the body rests at night, and the occurrence of heartburn at night is also indicative of more severe health issues.
2. Symptoms
Every physiological disorder takes a toll on the normal functioning of the body, and the same holds for the effects of acid reflux. Patients experience the following symptoms:
- Aching and burning sensation in the throat or chest
- Vomiting and nausea
- Tooth erosion
- Stinky breath
- A bitter or sour taste at the end of the mouth region
Not managing the condition for long results in an increased risk of developing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), which is a severe health issue, and patients should opt for a healthy lifestyle by avoiding the trigger foods for heartburn to prevent this.
3. Avoid the trigger foods for heartburn
One can always manage their health issues, and acid reflux is a condition that requires some lifestyle and dietary changes to be managed effectively. People suffering from this health disorder should avoid trigger foods for heartburn, along with following regular workout sessions. Some foods that are best avoided for people experiencing heartburn are citrus fruits, mints, caffeine, carbonated beverages, chocolate, spicy foods, alcohol, and tomatoes for quick recovery from this condition.
4. Lifestyle tips for heartburn relief
Apart from avoiding the trigger foods, the following lifestyle tips are essential for heartburn relief:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid tight clothing
- Consume small and repeated meals throughout the day
- Reduce the intake of sugars and high-fat foods
- Retain an upright posture while eating
- Avoid eating just before bedtime
- Raise the head of the bed by 8 inches
- Avoid foods that trigger acid reflux
- Sleep for 6-8 hours a day and wake up early
- Go for regular checkups for acid-reducing medications
- Avoid smoking