Do you experience frequent burning sensations in your chest after eating? Worst, do you have regurgitation of the sour liquid? If you answer yes to those questions, you could suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Notably, this digestive condition occurs when the stomach content flows back to the esophagus. Over time, this content, especially the acid, can irritate the esophagus walls leading to discomfort. The good news is that certain lifestyle changes can help you keep this condition at bay. Here are lifestyle adjustments that Dr. Bharat Pothuri recommends to prevent GERD.
Maintain the Healthy Weight
Individuals who are overweight are at a greater risk of developing GERD. Notably, the extra fats in the stomach put additional pressure on the abdomen, thus forcing the gastric juice into the esophagus. Therefore, you should work with your doctor to calculate your body mass index (BMI). You should consider shedding off the extra pound if the BMI is twenty-five or more.
Eat Mindfully
Whatever you put into the plate dictates whether or not you will have acid reflux. For example, spicy foods and chocolate can trigger and aggravate the symptoms of this condition. The best thing to minimize this risk is to identify the triggers and take the initiatives to avoid them.
In addition, you should eat a smaller proportion of foods since the large meals can strain the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), causing GERD.
Stop Smoking
Smoking could be why you complain about acid reflux after enjoying your meal. Notably, the cigarette constituents relax the LES increasing the likelihood of stomach acid flowing to the esophagus. Smoking also alters the saliva’s PH, thus impairing its capacity to clear the acids within the esophagus.
Therefore, it would help if you kicked the smoking habit to stay in tune with your digestive and overall health. Seek rehabilitation services if you experience difficulties quitting this habit alone.
Wear the Comfortable Clothes
You may not know the harm you are causing to your digestive system when you wear ill-fitting clothes until something amiss happens. Essentially, tight clothes constrict the stomach, thus interfering with the functioning of LES in the long run.
Your love for fashion should never compromise your digestive health. Always wear a comfortable outfit, and you will experience the difference.
Review Your Medications
Certain medical drugs can increase the risk of GERD. For example, anti-inflammatory medications can alter the firmness of LES while aggravating the already swollen esophagus. Therefore, if you take such medication, you should consider switching to other medications with minimal side effects.
Nevertheless, it would help if you talked to your doctor before suspending the intake of those drugs.
GERD is one of the distressing digestive conditions. It occurs when the stomach contents flow back to the esophagus. The regurgitation of the acidic components can cause embarrassment, especially in the dining room with your loved ones. Fortunately, embracing the above tips can help you lower the chances of GERD. For example, you should eat smaller meals to avoid putting pressure on LES. Steering away from smoking is also necessary to avoid frequent acid reflux after the meal.