How to avoid heartburn at Christmas
Turkey, chocolate and sparkling wine; things that many Brits will surely enjoy over the festive period.
But for some, painful heartburn and indigestion get in the way of Christmas cheer; GP Dr. Hilary Jones says people are asking for advice about heartburn every 13 seconds on the NHS website on 25 December.
Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, is a burning sensation caused by stomach acid moving up into the throat.
It is usually felt directly in the chest, but it can also rise to the throat, causing an acidic or bitter taste in the mouth.
The pain is often worse after eating, at bedtime, or in the evening, and although it is usually not cause for concern, it can be very uncomfortable.
Here we take a look at what heartburn is and how to avoid it:
What is heartburn?
According to the NHS, heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest caused by acid reflux that usually occurs after meals or at night.
This is when stomach acid moves towards the throat. If it persists, this may be called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
The main symptoms of acid reflux are a burning sensation in the middle of your chest and an unpleasant sour taste in your mouth caused by stomach acid.
You may also have a recurring cough or hiccup, a hoarse voice, bad breath or bloating, or feeling sick.
Symptoms often worsen after eating, lying down, and bending over.
What causes heartburn?
The NHS says that although there is no obvious cause behind heartburn, some foods and drinks can make it worse.
This includes coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods.
Other factors include being overweight, smoking, pregnancy, stress and anxiety, and increases in certain types of hormones such as progesterone and estrogen.
Some medications, such as ibuprofen, can also make heartburn worse.
Other causes include hiatus hernia, which means part of your stomach moves into your chest, a stomach ulcer, or a bacterial infection in your stomach.
How to prevent heartburn
There are some simple ways to prevent heartburn, including which foods to eat and avoid and even which side to sleep on.
Speaking to Lorraine Kelly on Thursday, Dr Hilary Jones advised people to avoid too much frying and opt for a yoghurt bowl instead.
“All that fat, all that fat means your stomach stays full longer and it has a lot of acid in it,” he said.
His second tip was to replace acidic bubbles like champagne with more stomach-friendly festive spirits like red wine or gin.
Dr. states that eating early can also help with heartburn. “It takes two to three hours for your stomach to empty, so it’s best to sleep on an empty stomach rather than a full stomach,” Jones said.
When you go to bed, Dr Jones said it’s best to sleep on your left side: “Using gravity and anatomy, you’re less likely to get heartburn on your left side because your stomach is more on your left side.”
The NHS says recommended medicines called antacids or alginates can help relieve your symptoms. These are taken with or immediately after a meal, as this is when heartburn is most likely.
