If you feel a burning sensation in your throat or chest after eating, you’re probably experiencing acid reflux. It’s a problem that millions of people have and is often caused by our diets. What if you found out something you relied on every day, like coffee, was causing you this pain? What would you do? What Is It, The Symptoms, and What’s Causing It? Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, or GORD, happens when the stomach acid leaks up into the oesophagus. This is because of a weakening of the ring of muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus. The symptoms include acid reflux, where stomach acid rises into the mouth leaving a nasty taste. Heartburn is also a symptom, which is a burning sensation that happens in the chest after eating.
Generally, lifestyle changes can help control the symptoms of GORD. Medication that you can acquire without a prescription is also available, and is usually an antacid or an alginate. Firstly, you could eat smaller meals more frequently. Understanding what triggers the symptoms and avoiding them helps. This can include consuming regular drinks like coffee, but if you still need you daily caffeine fix, then you’ll have to look into other alternatives like dark roasting. This should lower the acidity level of the coffee, as will using an acid reducer. There are also low acid coffee brands available, that may not aggravate your symptoms. It may be useful to avoid some specific foods, but it’s also possible that you only see a small reduction in your symptoms. If you’re overweight, then losing some weight can really help to reduce symptoms such as acid reflux. As well as this, if you drink or smoke, it’s best to either cut down or try to stop. If this doesn’t work, then avoid wearing tight clothing or bending forwards as this puts pressure on your stomach and increases the likelihood of experiencing symptoms.
If your symptoms persist, then it is advisable to seek help from your GP or a gastroenterologist in acid reflux disease (GORD). Symptoms persisting means that you’re experiencing them several times a week, and medication bought from the pharmacy isn’t helping. Also, if your symptoms are severe then it is best to seek medical help. This is especially true if you are vomiting a lot, or there is blood in your vomit. Weight loss that you can’t explain may also be a sign of a more serious problem. If any of these things happen, you must seek help and your GP will likely run some tests after an initial diagnosis of GORD.
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