Do you often experience pain and burning in your chest or throat? Then you may be suffering from acid reflux. In fact, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common digestive problems. Acid reflux is caused by backing up stomach acid in your esophagus. Simply put, acidity occurs when the gastric glands produce large amounts of acid, which is more than is required for a person’s digestive process.Also read – 5 Ways to Improve Your Intestinal Health During an Epidemic
Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to function as it should. Dr. “GERD or acidity is no longer a disease of the West,” Prateek Sharma told the Times of India in an interview. According to studies, 20-30% of Indians suffer from GERD symptoms. People often tend to be self-determined when it comes to heartburn. Dr. Sharma says it is good to have it occasionally but if it persists, it is best to consult a doctor. Also read – 5 Simple Tips for ABC – Acidity, Flatulence and Constipation
Symptoms of heartburn include chest pain, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing. Symptoms of acidity include belching, bad breath, indigestion, constipation, sour taste in the mouth, vomiting, inflammation, difficulty swallowing, nausea, inflammation of the stomach, throat and heart. Also read – Why you should never drink tea on an empty stomach, experts say
Causes of acid reflux:
Leading gastroenterologist and director of Chembur’s Zen Multispeciality Hospital, Dr. According to Roy Patankar, eating large meals or eating too close to bedtime, being obese or pregnant, choosing foods like chocolate, spicy, citrus and acidic foods, foods that are low in fiber, alcohol, eating fast, caffeine, carbonated Drinks and some medications can cause acid reflux.
Dr. Roy adds, “Stress, insufficient sleep, side effects of certain medications, existing medications and poor eating habits can increase the risk of acid reflux. Moreover, it can interfere with your daily activities and rob you of peace of mind.
Acid reflux or GERD is found in people who are overweight, obese, elderly, have eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, or you also get acidity if you smoke.
Do men and women experience acid reflux differently?
Children, adolescents and pregnant women often experience acid reflux. Pregnant women are often at risk for acidity. When children and adolescents tend to eat fried, processed, salty and oily foods, they fall asleep immediately after eating or do not chew food properly. Therefore, these are some of the factors that may cause more acidity in women and children than in men.
Can Acid Reflux Disease Be Treated With Diet And Lifestyle Changes?
Dr. Roy suggests, “Eat slowly and chew your food properly. Try to sleep 3-4 hours after eating. Raise your head with an extra pillow while sleeping. Avoid painkillers, smoking and alcohol and lose that extra kilogram of weight.” . In addition, exercise on a daily basis by doing activities that you enjoy. Yoga, swimming, cycling, gyming, aerobics, weight training, parkour, pilates, running or walking. Eat a well-balanced diet, including fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and legumes. Choose a low-carbohydrate diet. “
What to avoid to avoid acid reflux?
“Don’t go to bed immediately after a meal. Avoid skipping your medication, try to exclude mint, fatty, spicy, processed, junk food, citrus juice and carbonated drinks from the diet. Avoid overeating. Don’t eat foods like tomatoes, onions, tea, coffee and onions, ”said Dr. Roy concludes.
