Acid reflux is a condition characterized by the regurgitation of stomach acid and partially digested food back into your esophagus or throat. It is a main component of a larger syndrome called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Certain foods may worsen acid reflux symptoms, and you can gain some relief from these symptoms if you eliminate known problem foods from your diet.
Understanding Acid Reflux
Acid reflux occurs when the muscular ring of tissue called the lower esophageal sphincter, which connects your esophagus and stomach, fails to close normally or opens spontaneously, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. In some cases, this failure allows corrosive stomach acids to irritate the lining of your esophagus, leading to the painful condition called heartburn. You may also be able to taste regurgitated foods or liquids at the back of your throat. If reflux occurs more than twice weekly for an extended period of time, you have GERD, which can eventually lead to more serious health concerns.
Dietary Restrictions
You can prevent or reduce heartburn by restricting problem-causing foods from your diet, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus. Common examples of these foods include full-fat dairy products, fatty foods, spicy foods, citrus juices and fruits, chocolate, alcohol, tomatoes and tomato sauces, spearmint, peppermint, carbonated liquids and caffeine. Specific food triggers for heartburn vary from person to person, and some of these foods may not cause you problems. In turn, you may experience problems with foods not listed here.
Food-Related Restrictions
In addition to dietary restrictions, you may improve your reflux and heartburn symptoms by eating smaller meals, Medline Plus reports. Additional food-related steps that may help your symptoms include avoiding lying down when your stomach is full; avoiding exercising or bending at the waist immediately following a meal; avoiding eating within several hours prior to your bedtime; and losing excess body weight.
Child Restrictions
Reflux or GERD also commonly occur in children and infants, the NDDIC notes. If your child has reflux, he may gain relief from avoiding food items such as peppermint, chocolate, caffeinated sodas, fatty foods, fried or spicy foods, pizza, tomatoes and other high-acid foods. Your child's doctor may also suggest limitations in meal size, offset by more frequent mealtimes. If your infant has reflux, try keeping him upright for at least half an hour after feedings or burping him periodically during feeding.
Additional Options
Medline Plus lists non-food-related options for reducing reflux and GERD that include avoiding smoking, reducing your stress levels, sleeping with the head of your bed raised roughly six inches and avoiding clothing that restricts your midsection. Medication options for GERD and reflux include nonprescription antacids prescription medications such as H2 antagonists, promotility agents and proton pump inhibitors. If lifestyle and medication approaches prove ineffective, your doctor may recommend surgical procedures such as Nissen fundoplication to correct structural problems in your body. (
