{"id":20471,"date":"2017-06-26T09:52:52","date_gmt":"2017-06-26T16:52:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medicalfitnessnetwork.org\/public\/?p=20471"},"modified":"2017-06-19T11:42:22","modified_gmt":"2017-06-19T18:42:22","slug":"got-burning-feeling-chronic-heartburn-might-gerd-gastro-esophageal-reflux-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/all-mfn\/got-burning-feeling-chronic-heartburn-might-gerd-gastro-esophageal-reflux-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Got that Burning Feeling? Your Chronic Heartburn Might Be GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-20472\" src=\"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/gerd-heartburn-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/gerd-heartburn-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/gerd-heartburn-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/gerd-heartburn-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/gerd-heartburn-53x53.jpg 53w, https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/gerd-heartburn-85x85.jpg 85w, https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/gerd-heartburn-570x570.jpg 570w, https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/gerd-heartburn-380x380.jpg 380w, https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/gerd-heartburn-285x285.jpg 285w, https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/gerd-heartburn.jpg 780w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/>You know the feeling: \u00a0that burning sensation in your chest after a meal \u2013 the one that sends you running for the Tums. \u00a0Most of us suffer from this discomfort, commonly called heartburn, from time to time. Truth is, more than 60 million of us experience heartburn at least once a month, and about 25 million suffer from it on a daily basis.<a href=\"#_edn1\" name=\"_ednref1\">[i]<\/a> <a href=\"#_edn2\" name=\"_ednref2\">[ii]<\/a> But if heartburn has become a regular complaint, you may have the digestive disorder known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or GERD.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Nearly 7 million Americans suffer from GERD.<a href=\"#_edn3\" name=\"_ednref3\">[iii]<\/a>\u00b7<\/li>\n<li>GERD afflicts people of every socio-economic class, ethnic group and age, although it is most common in adults between ages 45 and 64.<\/li>\n<li>GERD affects an estimated 7 percent of the global population (men, women and children).<a href=\"#_edn4\" name=\"_ednref4\">[iv]<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>So here is the technical description:\u00a0 GERD affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle, which connects the esophagus with the stomach.\u00a0 Normally, this muscle prevents digestive acid from flowing out of your stomach into your esophagus.\u00a0 But if your LES muscle isn&#8217;t working properly, the resulting reflux of stomach acid can cause regular heartburn and chest pain.\u00a0 Additionally, you may have problems swallowing and you may notice a sour-tasting fluid in your mouth.\u00a0 When digestive acid is refluxed (backed up) into the throat it can cause sore throat, and if it reaches your mouth, it can dissolve tooth enamel.<\/p>\n<p>GERD can eventually cause breaks in the lining of the esophagus, leading to severe damage to the skin-like lining of the esophagus (a condition known as Barrett&#8217;s esophagus).\u00a0 And note, the risk of esophageal cancer is significantly increased in people with Barrett&#8217;s esophagus.<\/p>\n<p>In most cases, GERD is a chronic condition.\u00a0 Unfortunately, because the most frequent symptom of GERD &#8212; heartburn &#8212; is so common, many people don&#8217;t associate it with a disease.\u00a0 That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s important not to ignore regular heartburn.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t try to self-diagnose or self-treat if heartburn (or other symptoms, such as a sour taste in your mouth) is a recurring problem.\u00a0 <em>If you find yourself reaching for the antacids more than twice a week, have trouble swallowing, or regularly experience nausea or vomiting, see your health care professional.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Although GERD can&#8217;t be cured, it can be effectively managed with modification to your lifestyle and diet. The following are recommended modifications:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Avoid fatty foods, spicy foods and caffeine, which stimulate stomach acid.<\/li>\n<li>Say &#8220;no thanks&#8221; to chocolate, peppermint and alcohol, all of which relax the LES muscle and lead to heartburn.<\/li>\n<li>Be a grazer.\u00a0 Eat smaller, more frequent meals, rather than three meals a day.\u00a0 (When your stomach is full you increase your risk of stomach acids spilling into the esophagus.)<\/li>\n<li>Forget that bedtime snack.\u00a0 Avoid eating for three hours before bedtime. Eating anything elevates the acid level in your stomach, and lying flat in bed can worsen the problem.<\/li>\n<li>Elevate your head when you sleep or raise the head of your bed.<\/li>\n<li>Wear loose-fitting clothes.\u00a0 Tight-fitting clothes increase pressure on the abdomen.<\/li>\n<li>If you smoke, STOP SMOKING.\u00a0 Smoking stimulates stomach acid.<\/li>\n<li>Maintain a healthy weight.\u00a0 Excess body weight puts pressure on your stomach, which then leads to heartburn.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid foods and beverages that can irritate a damaged esophageal lining, such as citrus fruits and juices, tomato products and pepper.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid exercising, straining, or bending over immediately after eating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You might also notice that many of these \u201cmodifications\u201d also follow a healthy lifestyle.\u00a0 I already recommend avoiding fatty foods (think fried foods, greasy hamburgers, lots of butter, lard, etc.); eating every 3 \u00bd &#8211; 4 hours (hungry or not); eating lean proteins with every meal; not smoking!!!; and avoiding fruit juices (very high in sugar and calories \u2013 it takes at least 3 oranges to make one 4 oz. glass of juice, which does not contain all the benefits of the pulp and fiber one would get from eating an orange).<\/p>\n<p>Although treatment of GERD is usually aimed at minimizing exposure of the esophagus to refluxed stomach acid (which then relieves symptoms and leads to healing of the esophagus), antacids can neutralize the acid in the esophagus and stomach and stop heartburn.<\/p>\n<p>Note however, that it&#8217;s not a good idea to use antacids for more than three consecutive weeks.\u00a0 Long-term use can result in side effects, including diarrhea, altered calcium metabolism and build-up of magnesium in the body.\u00a0 Additionally, use of antacids can decrease vitamin B-12 absorption, so if you choose antacids, take a vitamin supplement.<\/p>\n<p>Herbal licorice may help symptoms, too.\u00a0 Just make sure it&#8217;s deglycyrrhizinated licorice.\u00a0 Whole licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which can raise blood pressure.\u00a0 Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), on the other hand, is an effective natural remedy that increases the mucous coating of the stomach, making it more resistant to the effects of acid.\u00a0 And there&#8217;s some speculation that taking digestive enzymes (such as bromelaine, which is found naturally in pineapples) can help aid digestion, and, therefore, control heartburn.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, GERD has a high recurrence rate because there is no medication that can correct the underlying cause of the disease.\u00a0 Most people, however, get adequate symptom control (which leads to esophageal healing) through a combination of lifestyle and diet modifications.<\/p>\n<p>So don\u2019t just live with it and pop antacids!<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Resources and links:<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD):\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.GERD.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GERD Information Resource Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li>National Institutes of Health: <a href=\"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/all-mfn\/4-exercises-increase-balance-seniors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">National Digestive Diseases\u00a0Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)<\/a><\/li>\n<li>WebMd Information on GERD: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.webmd.com\/heartburn-gerd\/default.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.webmd.com\/heartburn-gerd\/default.htm<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Medscape Search GERD: <a href=\"http:\/\/search.medscape.com\/news-search?newSearchHeader=1&amp;queryText=gerd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.Medscape.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Lucho Crisalle, CEO of Exercise &amp; Nutrition Works, Inc., internationally recognized expert in the field of nutrition and supplements is the creator of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nutritioncertification.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist<\/strong><\/a> program! To learn more and receive your copy of our FREE SPECIAL REPORT \u201cFood for Thought &amp; Money in The Bank&#8221; click\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nutritioncertification.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HERE<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>References:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ednref1\" name=\"_edn1\">[i]<\/a> American College of Gastroenterology. http:\/\/patients.gi.org\/topics\/acid-reflux\/<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ednref2\" name=\"_edn2\">[ii]<\/a>\u00a0 Discovery Fit and Health\/ http:\/\/health.howstuffworks.com\/diseases-conditions\/digestive\/how-common-is-gerd.htm<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ednref3\" name=\"_edn3\">[iii]<\/a> Everhart, J. E. (Ed.). (1994).<em> Digestive diseases in the United States: Epidemiology and impact.<\/em> (NIH Publication No. 94-1447). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#_ednref4\" name=\"_edn4\">[iv]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You know the feeling:  that burning sensation in your chest after a meal \u2013 the one that sends you running for the Tums.  Most of us suffer from this discomfort, commonly called heartburn, from time to time. Truth is, more than 60 million of us experience heartburn at least once a month, and about 25 million suffer from it on a daily basis. But if heartburn has become a regular complaint, you may have the digestive disorder known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or GERD.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":201,"featured_media":20472,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[73,139],"class_list":["post-20471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-mfn","tag-dietitians","tag-nutrition"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/201"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20471"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20471\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}