What is gastroesophageal reflux?
The burning, heartburn, retrosternal heartburn is a burning sensation in the center of the chest that often occurs after eating, bending over, exercising, and sometimes, when lying down. It is a common problem, nearly one in every 10 adults have these symptoms at least once a week, and one in three monthly. Some pregnant women have it almost daily. These symptoms indicate a disease called gastroesophageal reflux or GERD.
When you swallow, food passes through your throat and esophagus into the stomach. A muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter controls the opening between the esophagus and stomach and remains closed except when swallowing. When this muscle fails to close, the contents of the stomach acid can rise into the esophagus. This is called reflux. When stomach acid enters the lower esophagus, can cause the symptoms described above.
The advice to improve gastroesophageal reflux
* Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases intra-abdominal pressure and it hurts.
* Stop smoking. The snuff relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter.
* Do not use clothes that push the abdomen. Avoid tight belts.
* If possible, avoid heavy lifting and avoid prolonged trunk flexion.
* Make small, frequent meals and avoid abundant.
* Limit consumption of fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint, coffee, tea, soft drinks (especially colas) and alcohol. All cause lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.
* Limit consumption of tomatoes, citrus (fruit juices). They provide acid that can irritate the esophagus.
* Eat foods rich in fiber, especially if it has a tendency to constipation.
* Dine two or three hours before bedtime, and avoid lying down after meals.
* Raise the head of your bed about 15-20 cm by placing wooden blocks under the legs of the header, to allow gravity to keep stomach contents inside. The use of pillows does not usually work well.
Many people improve following the above recommendations. Antacids are sold in pharmacies without a prescription can be useful for occasional symptoms.
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