We have all witnessed heartburn after a lavish meal of fried items. Yeah, obviously that party at your friend’s house wasn’t worth missing but the heartburn you had in the middle of the night was also not pleasant. But that occasional sensation is bearable unless it becomes continuous. The burning feeling that you feel rising up in your throat is basically known as Acid Reflux. Acid reflux is commonly seen in people who lay down after heavy meals, are overweight or obese, have unhealthy habits, have diabetes or have anatomic hernias.
When your stomach sends the food contents back to the esophagus, this is when you feel that sensation. Our stomach produces acid to break down the food and digest it. But the stomach has a lining which protects it from the acid, whereas the esophagus doesn’t. The valve known as the lower esophageal sphincter or LES keeps the stomach and the esophagus connected. But with regular acid reflux, the valve gets damaged and fails to keep the contents in the stomach where they actually belong.
Chronic Acid reflux can lead to GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. In GERD, patients consistently feel symptoms such as bitter taste in mouth, acid rising in the throat, voice hoarseness, difficulty swallowing food, chronic cough, asthma, bad breath and discomfort after meals.
Where GERD is an extremely uncomfortable disorder, the symptoms can be reduced by making dietary changes, acquiring a healthy lifestyle and moving more. Since obesity is directly linked with GERD, people who are overweight should avoid fatty or greasy food. Another way to reduce the discomfort is by eating smaller meals instead of large meals. Of course, it is advised not to lay down after a meal.
If you are someone who has witnessed all these symptoms and still haven’t been able to do anything about it, we can help. With our wide range of bariatric services, we can help you keep your hunger at bay. Our specialized meal plans are designed to help you meet your health goals. To learn more, please book your free bariatric consultation today!
