Holiday Eating: Heartburn

Do you suffer from acid reflux or heartburn? Holiday eating, parties, and problems with stomach acid don't mix well. Heartburn and acid reflux are miserable to live with. If you suffer from this condition that is marked by a painful, burning sensation in the chest, behind the breastbone, you’ve probably sat awake at night desperately hoping for a cure. There are several home remedies for heartburn to try for some relief.

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root

Licorice can help soothe irritation of the digestive tract, helping your esophagus feel better. Look for deglycyrrhizinated or DGL licorice root — it comes in a capsule, chewable tablets, or as a powder that you can mix into water or I prefer grape juice.

Enzymes

Fruit enzymes, like papain that is found in papaya, work to help digestion and relive gastroesophageal reflux. Digestive enzymes can be found in health food and supplement stores. 

Apples

There’s an old saying that goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” I’ve found that apples have many health benefits and that eating some apple can be good for digestion and mild heartburn.Some people are adventurous to try apple cider vinegar and say it helps relieve heartburn. I've never brought myself to drink vinegar, though.

Watch What You Eat

Avoid foods that are high in acid and that aggravate the condition — citrus, tea, coffee, chocolate, tomato products, and fried foods. It’s also seems that tomatoes get more acidic as they cook, so raw tomatoes may be more palatable than something like spaghetti sauce for some people. Also eat low fat foods and try to avoid processed lunch meats like bologna and hot dogs.

It’s also important eat at regular intervals. Don’t let your stomach get too empty before eating. Eat a small snack to tie you over between meals to try to thwart stomach acid getting out of control.

Sit Up

If you’ve ever eaten a big meal, then had the urge to lie down for a quick nap — don’t.  Lying flat will enable stomach acids to creep their way up and cause problems for people who suffer from acid reflux. Instead relax in a recliner or prop yourself up. Also don’t bend over or exercise right after eating.

Control Stress

If you are under a large amount of stress, it can wreak havoc on your digestive system and cause heartburn and acid reflux. Eat each meal calmly, chewing your food thoroughly. Try practicing relaxation or breathing exercises, and if needed speak to a counselor about calming techniques and how to deal with stress.

If you suffer from frequent heartburn consult your doctor, as it can be a sign of something more serious or require prescription treatment if home remedies and over-the-counter treatments don’t help. What feels like heartburn can actually be a symptom of heart attack and should don’t be taken lightly. Ongoing acid reflux can also have a bad consequence for the lining of your esophagus.


This is intended for informational purposes only. Consultation with a  and medical professional should be sought.