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We're only a few days from Thanksgiving, and you're probably ready for the possibility of heartburn and acid reflux. But some people get acid reflux much more frequently, and GERD Awareness Week is dedicated to educating people about it. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition involving persistent acid reflux over a longer period of time.
Both GERD as well as infrequent acid reflux or indigestion are common, although influenced by diet and lifestyle:
Distinguishing GERD from infrequent reflux can be challenging. Many people get heartburn and attribute it to something they ate, even if it happens repeatedly. As we head into the holidays, defined by unhealthy snacks and family fest, here are some symptoms to watch out for:
The presence of GERD is distinguished not just by heartburn, but by the tissue damage that might be caused by the esophageal lining being exposed repeatedly to stomach acid. This can cause a number of complications, including:
Reflux, the flow of stomach contents back into the esophagus, is due to a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a ring that keeps the top of your stomach closed. When the LES is weakened, compromised, or relaxes at the wrong moments, stomach acid can travel back upward and cause damage to the esophagus.
This simple mechanism, though, has many potential causes. Among the many risk factors for GERD are:
Whether you suffer from GERD or just want to avoid the pain of heartburn, there are a number of steps you can take. The easiest, and most directly relevant to the upcoming holidays, is to limit your intake of certain foods and drinks that contribute to acid reflux. Among these are:
You probably see most of your holiday meal on this list, but there's no reason to despair: many holiday favorites, such as turkey, chicken, fish, vegetables, and non-citrus fruits are not only safe, but may help manage reflux symptoms. Particularly important is increasing your fiber intake, which helps fight GERD symptoms and has a host of other benefits, including helping to control blood sugar, reducing cholesterol, and preventing hemorrhoids and other bowel issues.
Click HERE for a special chart detailing what foods to choice and what foods to avoid to alleviate GERD symptoms.
There are other lifestyle changes you can make to manage not only GERD but occasional indigestion:
Different foods may affect individuals to different degrees. What bothers one person's stomach may not do the same to another. Moderation and a generally healthy lifestyle is just as important as food choice. So when you're at the Thanksgiving table, pay attention to not just what you're eating, but how many helpings you take in.
Are you looking to reduce your indigestion, heartburn, gas, and reflux? Visit Mountainside Medical Equipment to make this Thanksgiving more bearable, and click this link to visit our heartburn and acid reflux product collection!
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