Get FREE Monthly Tips on getting a "Good Night's Sleep."
Subscribe NOW!
We do not sell, share or trade your info with anyone. More Info
|
|
Frequent Heartburn? Avoid Known Trigger Foods
Karen received a box of grapefruit, oranges, and chocolate covered peppermints as a gift. A delightful winter treat and a good way, she thought, to work toward the recommended “five a day” of fruits and vegetables. She immediately ate an orange. Before dinner she had half a grapefruit, and absently ate a couple of pieces of the chocolate covered peppermints while watching TV.
She went to bed at her usual time but was awakened in a couple of hours with a sour, bitter taste filling her mouth, and a burning sensation in her chest. Heart attack, she worried. Probably not. Most likely it is heartburn or even Acid Reflux but you should not ignore the problem.
If you are like Karen and more than 60 million Americans, you may have Acid Reflux disease. Heartburn, that burning sensation in your chest, happens to most everyone occasionally but it isn't a disease. When you suffer from heartburn more than twice a week and/or it affects your life, you may have Acid Reflux. Without doubt, it's time to get a medical diagnosis to rule out more severe problems.
Lifestyle Changes Can Help
Many symptoms, especially mild heartburn, can be successfully treated with lifestyle changes. More severe symptoms that occur more frequently may require the addition of prescription medication.
The two most effective lifestyle changes you can make are to alter your sleeping position and your diet.
- Sleep elevated 6-8 inches on a wedge pillow that supports you through the torso to prevent acid from refluxing or going back up your esophagus at night.
- Eliminate foods that set off your attacks, as well as alcohol and tobacco.
What Foods Trigger Heartburn or Acid Reflux?
The foods that most commonly trigger heartburn and reflux are fatty and acidic. While you may expect caffeine, carbonated beverages, spices, fried and fatty foods, tomato products, and citrus to trigger reflux, you may be surprised that chocolate and peppermint are culprits too!
All of these foods do not trigger reflux in everyone. It is important that you find what works for you. Try eliminating all possible “triggers” and then gradually adding them back one at a time to see what prompts your attacks.
Cooking Resources
Heartburn doesn't have to be a frequent problem when you make these simple lifestyle adjustments. There are many excellent cookbooks available that have taken recipes for everything from comfort, butter laden mashed potatoes to exotic “dinner party” fare and modified them to help the acid reflux sufferer. One of these books is Eating for Acid Reflux by Jill Sklar and Annabel Cohen.
Other lifestyle changes can also help. Please see 10 Lifestyle Changes to see what can help you.
Acid
Reflux Articles
|
Acid
Reflux Articles
|
"The MedSlant pillow works great on my bed. In fact, it could have saved me $4000 which I previously paid for an adjustable bed. The MedSlant pillow works just as well at 99% less cost."
Jerry Gillett, Cleveland, OH
|
|
|
The MedSlant™ wedge
pillow helps relieve the symptoms of Acid Reflux, heartburn, GERD,
acid indigestion, sinus congestion, Gastroesophogeal Reflux, etc. for a healthier,
more restful good night's sleep. The
content provided on this website is for informational purposes only,
and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease or replace
the professional medical advice you receive from your physician(s). Please
consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have
regarding your condition. |
