What is Acid Reflux or GERD? 

Gerd Acid Reflux is a common condition where you may feel a burning sensation or heartburn in the lower chest area. It happens when the contents of the stomach move up to your esophagus. If you have GERD acidity repeatedly for more than twice a week, you might be suffering from the condition of GERD – Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or Gerd acid reflux disease. 

GERD affects people of all ages and can have long-term effects. Your lifestyle and diet choices are often responsible for this regurgitation. Some of the common symptoms of GERD are –  repeated burning sensations after eating food, chest pain, difficulties in swallowing food, chronic cough or asthma, etc. GERD is common, however, it may cause some serious complications if not treated in time. Hence one should always consult a gastroenterologist in order to get  GERD acid reflux remedy. 

Causes of GERD 

Frequent acid reflux causes GERD. The lower esophageal sphincter relaxes and closes whenever food is swallowed by you, thus allowing liquids and other solids to flow in your stomach. However, at times when the lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close properly or if the sphincter relaxes abnormally or weakens, then the stomach acid flows back into your esophagus. If this happens repeatedly then, it often causes inflammation. 

Foods to avoid – 

GERD being a digestive disorder, can be treated by making a few dietary changes. Certain types of foods can at times aggravate or worsen the symptoms of acid reflux. Finding a diet that suits you will require some experimentation, hence, having the guidance of a nutrition counselor is always better. Here are  a list of GERD acid reflux foods to avoid as they may trigger acid reflux.

  1. Fatty foods and meals 

Fats are an important source of nutrients however, not all fats are the same. Some of the trans fats and saturated fats may trigger acid reflux. Fatty foods decrease the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, thus increasing your risk for reflux. Thus it is better that you limit the consumption of such fatty foods. Some of the foods with high fats are- whole milk, butter, cheese, ice creams, french fries, onion rings, potato chips, creamy sauces or dips, high fat sour cream, high fat creamy salad dressings, meat, etc. You can replace fatty foods with unsaturated fats from plants or fish. 

  1. Spicy Food 

Capsaicin is the ingredient that makes spicy food like chili pepper and chilies spicy.  Spicy foods can cause pain and burn in the stomach. Spicy foods can flare up the symptoms of GERD. If your tolerance for spicy food is low, it is better that you avoid eating them.  

  1. Chocolates 

Chocolates are loved by most of us however, they too can contribute to GERD symptoms. Chocolates contain fats, caffeine, and cocoa, all can lead to GERD acute or chronic. They not only increase acidity in the stomach but also relax the sphincter valve thus leading to symptoms of GERD.  

  1. Beverages 

If you are someone who often faces the problem of acid regurgitation, then you must keep a note of every little thing that may worsen the symptoms. Several drinks at times may contribute to symptoms of GERD in people. Some of the beverages that you should avoid are

  • Coffee and Tea- these are caffeinated drinks and are acidic. You can have teas without caffeine.
  • Carbonated drinks – these too are acidic drinks. The bubbles in these drinks expand in your stomach and cause more pressure and pain. 
  • Alcoholic drinks – most alcoholic drinks are acidic and if consumed in high quantity, they can trigger symptoms. While alcohol helps in relaxing the sphincter valve, it also stimulated the production of acid in the stomach.
  1. Vegetables and Fruits 

While vegetables and fruits are an important part of our diet, there are few vegetables that you should consider avoiding. Some of them are – 

  • Tomatoes are acidic, hence avoid food items like ketchup, marinara sauce, or tomato soup as they are naturally high in acid. 
  • Onions and garlic can also lead to acid reflux
  • Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit, etc can worsen the symptoms.
  1. Other foods that can cause a flareup 

There are a number of other foodstuffs and medications that can also lead to GERD. Here’s another list of GERD acid reflux foods to avoid

  • peppermint or spearmint – these may give a soothing feeling to your stomach but they actually trigger Acid reflux
  • Avoid foods that consume a lot of cholesterol 
  • Antibiotics 
  • Bisphosphonates
  • Tricyclics 
  • Nitrates 
  • processed foods 
  • Aspirin 

Apart from this one needs to avoid eating food two hours before going to bed. Instead of eating two large meals every day, you can replace it with small meals every few hours. One can follow GERD acid reflux home remedies by using foods available at home during the time of emergency.  GERD can be difficult to deal with, however, it can be treated with changes in diet and a few other lifestyle changes. Green vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli, protein from low cholesterol foods, fruits high in magnesium, etc are some of the foods that help in alleviating the symptoms of GERD. You can also use antacids to neutralize the acids in the stomach and reduce the pain. 

GERD can cause some severe risks to people who have obesity, hiatal hernia, or women who are pregnant, or for people who have connective tissue disorder. In cases as such, it’s advisable that you seek GERD treatment. You can also find her as hepatologist in Patna or the best doctor for hepatitis b in Patna, a gastroenterologist in Faridabad, the best gastro doctor in Delhi, NCR, a gastroenterologist In Uttarakhand, a liver specialist in Jhansi, best gastroenterologist in Jammu take advantage of the online gastroenterology consultation to gastroenterologist live chat and receive the best treatment that your body deserves!

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