The holidays are a minefield for heartburn.
The foods most likely to irritate the digestive system are out in full force -- fried and fatty fare, chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, tomatoes and citrus. We eat more than we should, drink more than we should and stay up late. We squeeze our tummies into dress-up clothes that are too tight or try to trim a few pounds with body-shapers.
It's all a recipe for heartburn or acid reflux.
For most people, it's an occasional annoyance that pops up a little more frequently after holiday indulgence. But chronic heartburn can cramp your style and your esophagus.
"If you're popping Rolaids like candy and you find yourself in the drug store looking at Xantac and Prilosec, it's a signal things are getting worse," said nurse practitioner Carah Edgeworth, who is part of the Digestive Health Associates in Tupelo, Miss.
The problem with chronic heart burn is that acid from your stomach could be eating at the lining of the esophagus -- the tube that connects your mouth and stomach.
Over time, if the acid reflux is ignored, it can cause more serious problems, Edgeworth said. Scarring in the esophagus can make it hard to swallow. The inflammation can become Barrett's esophagus, which is a precursor to cancer.
But most of the time, the body can heal if the reflux is brought under control with lifestyle changes and medication. Primary care providers usually help people manage the problem, but they may refer patients to gastroenterologists for testing to make sure there has been no long-term damage to the esophagus. Turning Up the Acid Acid reflux occurs because the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus doesn't close off tightly and lets acid from the stomach sneak back up. Although the classic heartburn involves a burning feeling that starts at the breastbone and comes up the throat, it can have symptoms that don't seem to be related to the digestive track. For some folks, it shows up as a nagging cough, sore throat or being hoarse. "People think it's allergies or bronchitis," Edgeworth said, but it's actually a result of the exposure to stomach acid. Lifestyle Changes There's a lot people can do to minimize problems with heartburn. The American Gastroenterological Association recommends: Avoiding foods and medications that affect the muscles at the bottom of the esophagus or irritate the lining.Don't overeat. Reduce portion sizes.Eat meals two to three hours before lying down.Elevate the head of the bed by 4 to 6 inches, using blocks or telephone books.Don't put the squeeze on your abdomen. Avoid tight clothing, control top panty hose and body shapers. Sit ups and leg lifts also can put pressure on the abdomen.Stop smoking. Smoking keeps the esophagus from working properly. "Smoking definitely makes it much worse," Edgeworth said.
Holiday Fun So how do you enjoy some holiday cheer if you're prone to heartburn? Moderation is the key, Edgeworth said. Enjoy favorite, but reflux-inducing foods in smaller amounts. Discretion is definitely the better part of valor with heartburn and acid reflux. "Pick one fried food you really want to have," Edgeworth said. Then don't go to bed right after that party or perhaps snooze in the recliner. The holiday parole applies only to folks who have a handle on their heartburn. "If you're not under control and having a lot of pain, stay away," Edgeworth said.
