Thousands of people regularly suffer from acid indigestion, or heartburn. In some people, the symptoms can contribute to a more severe condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which the Mayo Clinic notes may produce frequent heartburn, food regurgitation, wheezing, difficulty swallowing or chest pain. Medical and home remedies, as well as lifestyle changes, can help to curb indigestion and lessen the chances of it developing into GERD.
Causes
Acid indigestion has a few potential causes. In some cases, "trigger foods" irritate or relax the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, muscle. In other cases, tight clothing, large meals or lying down can put pressure on the LES. The result of each cause is the same: the LES, which acts as a barrier between the stomach and esophagus, opens and allows stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse notes that occasional heartburn or indigestion is common and does not necessarily indicate the presence of GERD.
Trigger Foods
Certain foods seem to irritate the LES more than others or cause it to relax and open. Not all trigger foods are common to everyone who suffers from heartburn, but many people with GERD have the same triggers. According to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology clinic, some of the most offensive triggers include citrus fruits, fatty foods, spicy foods, coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, chocolate, creamy foods, full-fat dairy products and mint.
Prevention
The Mayo Clinic points out that several simple remedies can ease indigestion or lessen its frequency. Try sitting or standing instead of lying down within the few hours following a meal; avoiding or minimizing trigger foods in the diet; elevating the head of your bed with a wedge or cement block; and wearing loose, comfortable clothing to avoid pressuring the LES. The Pediatric/Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association adds that chewing carefully and slowly, avoiding exercise after eating and eating small, frequent meals instead of large meals also can help.
Treatment
Occasional acid reflux or indigestion that is not severe may be treated with antacid products, and mild cases of GERD may benefit from prescription antacid medications. In severe cases, doctors may recommend surgery, long-term medication or other treatment methods.
Lifestyle Changes
According to the Mayo Clinic, lifestyle changes such as losing weight, drinking less alcohol and quitting smoking can have a positive effect on GERD symptoms and can lessen the frequency and severity of heartburn and indigestion. Overweight people tend to have more pressure on the LES muscle, so losing weight can help to ease that pressure. Alcohol relaxes the LES and nicotine can irritate it, so cutting down or quitting drinking and smoking also are beneficial.
References
- Mayo Clinic: GERD - Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet
- National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse: Heartburn, GER and GERD
- PAGER: Foods That Can Trigger or Aggravate GERD
- Mayo Clinic: Acid Reflux and GERD - Are They the Same Thing?
