After a busy week of work, I went to a famous coffee shop with three or five friends on weekends to eat cake and have afternoon tea. I was so happy! But at this time, a burning feeling suddenly came from my chest, and my throat felt as if I had swallowed a handful of sand. If you have ever experienced these situations, it is very likely to be a typical symptom of gastroesophageal reflux! According to the clinical and health examination records of major hospitals, one in four adults in Taiwan may have experienced gastroesophageal reflux! What exactly should be done to keep the harsh gastroesophageal reflux out? [PrimePlus Health Designer] Brand Nutritionist Sean will answer it for you in today's article!
What is gastroesophageal reflux?Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) refers to the contents in the stomach such as gastric acid and food that flow back to the esophagus, even the mouth, throat or lungs, causing the mucous membrane to be invaded by gastric acid, causing symptoms such as chest burning, nausea, laryngeal sensation, and difficulty swallowing. As for the reason for this phenomenon, there is an abnormal muscle between the esophagus and the stomach called the Lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When the lower esophageal ablation muscle is operating normally, it can be opened to ensure that all food enters the stomach smoothly from the esophagus without a reflux. However, when it becomes dysfunctional or incomplete, the food and stomach acid in the stomach can easily flow back to the esophagus, causing the above-mentioned unconditional symptoms.
There are many reasons for gastroesophageal reflux, including daily routine, pressure, dietary habits, psychological factors, diseases, etc. In order to better grasp the disease occurrence and formulate treatment measures, the students have discovered several major risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux after various research results and consolidation:
. Obesity studies have found that the probability of gastroesophageal reflux in obese (BMI value > 30) people is 2.5 times higher than those with normal weight. This is because obese people have more fat in their abdomen, which presses the stomach space, making the contents in the stomach more easily "pulled" back to the esophagus, causing gastroesophageal reflux.
. Smoking and drinking are like smoking and drinking. In addition to harming the mucosal tissues of the stomach and kidney tract, it also weakens the strength of the lower esophageal enclosure muscle, which cannot effectively block gastric acid reflux, so it is naturally easy to cause gastroesophageal reflux.
. Love high-fat, high-sugar and irritating foods. High-fat, high-sugar and irritating foods will cause the food to stay in the stomach for a longer time and will continue to stimulate gastric acid secretion. If the function of the esophageal enclosure muscle cannot function normally at this time, a large amount of gastric acid will be reversed back to the esophagus and cause damage.
[Health Knowledge Plus Plan Key Points] - Overcoming 3 Solutions for Gastroesophageal Reflux
To effectively reduce the frequency of gastroesophageal Reflux symptoms, the first step is to change your life habits! In this specific way, Sean has sorted it out for everyone in this section~ Let’s take a look together!
1. Maintain normal weight and quit bad habits
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, obesity is an independent risk factor that causes gastroesophageal reflux. Reducing weight can eliminate body fat, reduce pressure in the stomach, and thus achieve the opportunity to reduce gastric acid reflux; quitting smoking and drinking can make the function of the lower esophageal enclosure muscle return to normal water level.
2. The purpose of meals is to avoid irritating foods. The purpose of meals is to prevent the stomach from stuffing too much stuff to cause countercurrent. Just like a ball full of water and a ball full of water, the principle of a ball full of water will definitely be more likely to overflow from water.
Stimulating foods, such as tea, coffee, beer, chocolate, chili, fried chicken, etc., will cause gastric acid secretion and esophageal stimulation to varying degrees. In order to avoid increased inappropriate feelings, you should reduce contact with this type of food in your life.
3. Do not lie down after eating. Excessive clothing may pressure the stomach and cause gastroesophageal reflux. Therefore, maintaining a loose clothing can help the food in the stomach smoothly drain into the kidneys after eating. In addition, Sean also recommends not lie down immediately after eating, so as not to increase the chance of countercurrent due to the influence of gravity.
Generally speaking, when gastroesophageal reflux occurs, people usually go to the pharmacy to buy gastric pills or go to the gastric department to get a quit. Doctors usually open acid preparations to patients with the purpose of neutralizing the stomach acid in the stomach and reducing the invasion of gastric acid on the esophagus. However, the use of drugs is only a temporary time. If it is relied on for a long time, it may affect the ability to digest and absorb, which will cause other problems such as abdominal distension and constipation. To fundamentally change, we still have to rely on good diet and living habits, normal working and rest time and appropriate adjustment of life pressure! I believe that after reading the article, you have learned how to treat your stomach well!