GERD Diets
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, is a common problem caused by stomach acids that reflux into the lower esophagus by breaking through the lower esophageal sphincter. If the lower esophageal sphincter is relaxed at inapt times the acid reflux occurs. Reoccurring reflux and extended contact of stomach acids with the lower esophagus lead to the symptoms of GERD. Generally, the common conditions that are associated with GERD include weakness in lower esophageal sphincter force and damage of the lining of the esophagus.
GERD is also characterized by tissue damage due to exposure of the esophagus lining. Persistent heartburn is the main symptom of GERD. Other symptoms and level of severity differs between individuals. Most people with GERD have relatively mild symptoms with no signs of tissue damage and little risk of developing complications.
GERD Diets: What not to eat
The diet for GERD is designed to reduce the reflux of gastric fluids into the esophagus. GERD diets can also be used by individuals who suffer from similar problems such as esophageal ulcers or those who have frequent heartburn. Dietary modifications are suggested to reduce the likelihood of reflux and to evade irritation of sensitive esophageal tissue. There are several recommendations that may help to manage GERD, including a reduction of total fat intake. High fat meals tend to lower the lower esophageal sphincter pressure and delay stomach emptying thus raising the risk of reflux. Individuals with GERD should also avoid large meals for similar reasons.
In view of the fact that obesity can promote reflux, weight loss might be suggested by your doctor as a means to control reflux. Reducing both caloric intake and total fat will help you lose weight. Avoid chocolate as much as possible. Chocolate contains methylxanthine, which is known to reduce the lower esophageal sphincter force and exposing the lower esophageal to stomach acid. Other things to avoid in your diet include coffee, alcohol, carbonated, or acidic drinks.
Quit smoking for GERD relief
A few of the things you can do to adjust for GERD include sitting upright during a meal, not smoking, wearing lose cloths, sleeping on your left side and not eating at least within 3 hours before sleep. Most people will take over-the-counter antacids for a rapid soothing of GERD. However, for most people the best approach is to develop proper eating habits that could help fix the problem.
GERD Dieting: Eat frequent meals
First of all, try to eat frequently and eat small meals rather than large ones. A good idea is to snack every couple of hours during the day. A small portion of food exerts less work on the stomach and requires less acid secretion for digestion. Make certain to eat foods that are high in complex carbohydrates with every meal. Foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as bread, rice, and pasta, are good for absorbing excess stomach acid. Just remember not to overeat; eating too much will stimulate the stomach to secret more acids for digestion.
Beer is bad for Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Surprisingly, many beverages stimulate acid secretion. The worst beverage is beer. Beer can double your stomach acid within a very short time. A lot of people also think that drinking milk before sleep will ease acid reflux. But in fact it often ends up causing reflux while you sleep. Be aware of your situation, usually the problem starts from eating too much at dinner. As mentioned above, eating a big meal can causes excess stomach acid secretion. Logically, people assume that drinking milk could be a quick fix. Unfortunately, milk has a bounce back action and could eventually stimulate more secretion of stomach acids, which causes reflux. To solve the problem, think of foods that will soak up the acid, have a small snack such as crackers before sleep. However, the best treatment is preventions by making sure to eat a small meal at dinner.
A recap of Gastroesophageal reflux disease
The esophagus is the long tube that passes food from the throat to the stomach. Once the food reaches the stomach, the lower esophagus has a specialized muscle around it that stays tightly closed and opens only to allow food or fluids into the stomach. This muscle is called the lower esophageal sphincter and it acts to prevent acids from the stomach acid to reflux into the lower esophagus. When this muscle weakens the acids from the stomach can splash up and damage the lower esophageal tissue. This is painful and feels much like a bad heartburn. You may even feel chest discomfort, coughing, and even shortness of breath. The entire problem associated with these activates is what is known as GERD. However, with the proper diet for GERD including the basic food groups of cereals, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and meats can be eaten with few limitations. To allow for the foods in your stomach to properly digest without the overproduction of stomach acids, it is highly recommend that individuals stick to the GERD diets.