Acid Reflux - Foods to Avoid

Acid reflux, also known as heartburn, is a condition wherein acid-containing gastric juices come back into the esophagus from the stomach. The lower part of the esophagus contains a valve at the end, known as the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES for short, which opens in order to let the food we eat get into the stomach, and then shutting in order to keep the gastric juices and food within the stomach. When this valve relaxes too frequently or does not shut properly, it can result in the gastric juices getting into the esophagus, which is not equipped to deal with the acidic matter. When this occurs it leads to the telltale signs of heartburn, with a burning sensation in the area.

While most people may experience heartburn occasionally, if it continues for too long, despite making changes in the diet as well as treatment, it could mean acid reflux disease, also referred to as GERD. When the esophagus is exposed continuously to the acidic juices of the stomach, it can become irritated and even damaged, leading to erosive esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus.

What are the Symptoms of Acid Reflux?

Different people may experience the symptoms of acid reflux in different ways. One of the commonest symptoms is heartburn, of course, however, various people may experience other symptoms too, such as:

• A burning sensation in the throat
• Sourness in the mouth
• A sensation of acidic contents rising from the stomach
• A burning or pain felt in the chest
• Breathing difficulty, even triggering off asthma, dental erosion, and hoarseness, since the acidic juices can get into airways of the lungs, mouth, and throat
• Dysphagia, or difficulty or pain during swallowing
• Inability getting to sleep due to heartburn

In case, you should experience any of the above symptoms, it may indicate the onset of acid reflux disease, which you need to get diagnosed by a doctor as soon as possible.

What are the Foods to Avoid to Control Acid Reflux?

The above symptoms can be painful as well as debilitating, which is the reason that most people suffering from them take medications to keep them under control. However, the condition can be improved by finding out about what foods to avoid, and making the required dietary changes thereby. Of course you will need to consult your doctor before making any drastic dietary changes, and also devise a plan that you know you can stick to over the long-term.

Some of the usual foods that are known to cause heartburn, which leads to acid reflux disease, are: dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, milk shakes, and ice cream; spicy foods; garlic and onions; high-carb foods like bread, macaroni, and spaghetti; fried foods; chocolate; alcoholic beverages; caffeinated beverages; beef; mashed potatoes; spearmint and peppermint; and tomato-based foods.

However, keep in mind that each person’s food triggers may differ from another person’s. For example, while tomato-based foods may not trigger off acid reflux symptoms in one person, it may do so in somebody else. The best way to find out which foods do trigger off acid reflux symptoms is to maintain a food diary, jotting down the foods that do cause the symptoms.

Also, it is best to avoid eating large meals, and instead have smaller meals more number of times in a day. In addition, it is also recommended not to go to bed soon after a meal. A third tip that you can try to alleviate the symptoms is to elevate the head of your bed.

Note: There is a widespread misconception that acidic fruits like lime, lemon, oranges and the like trigger off acid reflux, and hence should be avoided. According to studies made it has been found that there is no truth in citrus fruits triggering off acid reflux. As a matter of fact, personally speaking, it is quite to the contrary. Whenever I have had heartburn, a glass of strong lime juice has actually helped to alleviate the symptoms quite promptly. However, of course, your doctor will be the best person to give you the right advice according to your individual symptoms and requirements.