Evaluation and Management of Pulmonary Hypertension in Noncardiac Surgery: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association | Circulation
How To Prevent Acid Reflux And Heartburn
Mild cases of acid reflux can often be prevented by adopting a few lifestyle changes, such as avoiding certain foods or not lying down immediately after a meal.
Acid reflux is also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER). If you experience it more than twice a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
If you regularly experience acid reflux, certain lifestyle and dietary changes may help. If those changes don't provide relief, over-the-counter (OTC) medications can also help prevent acid reflux or reduce symptoms.
Occasional or mild cases of acid reflux can usually be prevented by adopting a few lifestyle changes.
Sleep on your left side
Although the reason is not entirely clear, it could be explained by the anatomy of the esophagus. The esophagus enters the right side of the stomach, so sleeping on the left side keeps acid away from the lower esophageal sphincter.
The sphincter is normally responsible for keeping acid and undigested food from returning to the throat, but different things, including your sleep position, can cause it to malfunction.
Elevate your head
A 2021 systematic review examined existing research suggesting that elevating your head while sleeping may help reduce acid reflux symptoms. While the authors noted that limitations in the existing research make it difficult to know how effective it is, they concluded that it's an easy tip that may be worth trying.
Maintain moderate weight
If you have excess belly fat, the pressure in your abdomen may cause your lower esophageal sphincter to be pushed upward, away from the support of your diaphragm.
This condition, known as hiatal hernia, may lead to GERD, although it isn't the primary cause.
If you're interested in weight loss to manage acid reflux, speak with your doctor first to determine if it's right for you and, if so, how you can lose weight safely and sustainably.
Quit smoking
Your saliva helps neutralize the acid moving from your stomach to your esophagus. However, smoking can reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth.
Smoking also lowers the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter, which can cause coughing and acid reflux. Research shows that quitting smoking can reduce the severity of your acid reflux or GERD.
Changes in diet, including what, when, and how you eat, can also help reduce or prevent acid reflux.
Avoid triggers
Several types of food can cause acid reflux and heartburn. Pay close attention to how you feel after eating different foods.
Potential triggers may include:
If you experience acid reflux or heartburn after eating certain foods, take steps to avoid them.
Eat earlier
If you're prone to acid reflux, avoiding eating meals within 2 to 3 hours of sleeping is recommended.
Consider also having your big meal of the day at lunch so your dinner can be lighter. Research suggests that going to bed with undigested food, particularly if you've eaten a heavy meal, can worsen your symptoms at night.
Smaller, more frequent meals
The lower esophageal sphincter is a muscle that acts as a valve between the stomach and the esophagus. In people with acid reflux, this muscle is weakened or dysfunctional, causing acid to flow into the esophagus.
Many reflux symptoms take place after a meal. Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day may help reduce symptoms of acid reflux.
Research shows that eating a high carb diet can worsen acid reflux, and reducing your carb intake can help reduce the symptoms of GERD.
Some researchers suspect that undigested carbs may cause bacterial overgrowth and increased pressure inside the abdomen, which could contribute to acid reflex.
Having too many undigested carbs in your digestive system can often cause not only gas and bloating but also burping.
Many people can resolve their symptoms through lifestyle changes. Other people may require medications to prevent or treat acid reflux and heartburn. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as:
A note about proton pump inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors are the most effective treatments for chronic acid reflux. They're generally considered very safe. They reduce your body's production of gastric acids. Unlike some other medications, you only need to take them once a day to prevent symptoms.
There are also downsides to using proton pump inhibitors on a long-term basis. Over time, they can deplete vitamin B12 in your body.
Since stomach acid is one of your body's defenses against infection, proton pump inhibitors can also raise your risk of infection and bone fractures. In particular, they can raise your risk of hip, spine, and wrist fractures.
Some PPIs, like dexlansoprazole, can also be expensive, often costing more than $100 each month. Most of them, however, may cost less than $20 for a monthly dose.
If you experience regular acid reflux or heartburn, speak with a healthcare professional. They may recommend lifestyle changes to help prevent your symptoms. These may include eating smaller meals, remaining upright after eating, or cutting certain foods from your diet.
If lifestyle changes don't relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications.
How To Treat Indigestion At Home
You can typically manage indigestion with home remedies like peppermint or chamomile tea and ginger. But indigestion that occurs often or with other symptoms may require help from a doctor or dietitian.
Many people will have indigestion at some point. Instead of reaching for over-the-counter antacids to calm your stomach, you might try controlling symptoms with ingredients and herbs in your home.
Drink a cup of peppermint tea after meals to soothe your stomach, or keep a few pieces of peppermint in your pocket to suck on after eating.
Because peppermint relaxes the muscle between your stomach and esophagus, drinking or eating it may cause stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus and worsen acid reflux.
Chamomile tea is known to help induce sleep and calm anxiety. This herb may also ease gut discomfort and relieve indigestion by reducing stomach acid in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Chamomile acts as an anti-inflammatory to stop the pain.
To prepare chamomile tea, place 1 or 2 teabags in boiling water for 10 minutes. Pour the tea into a cup and add honey, if desired. Drink the tea as needed to stop indigestion.
Consult a doctor before drinking chamomile tea if you take a blood thinner. Chamomile contains an ingredient that acts as an anticoagulant, so there's the risk of bleeding when combined with a blood thinner.
Since too little stomach acid can trigger indigestion, drink ACV to increase your body's production of stomach acid.
Add 1 to 2 teaspoons (tsp) of raw, unpasteurized ACV to 1 cup of water and drink for fast relief. You can also stop indigestion before it occurs by drinking the mixture 30 minutes before eating.
Although ACV is generally safe, drinking it in excess or undiluted may cause side effects such as:
Drink ginger tea as needed to soothe your stomach and indigestion. Other ginger options include:
To make ginger water, boil 1 or 2 pieces of ginger root in 4 cups of water. If desired, add lemon or honey to flavor before drinking.
This antispasmodic herb may help remedy indigestion after a meal and soothe other GI problems such as:
Most research on fennel and digestion, however, is based on animals. More human studies are necessary to verify its effects.
If you want to try fennel for indigestion, add 1/2 tsp of crushed fennel seed in water and boil it for 10 minutes before drinking. Drink fennel tea whenever you experience indigestion.
Another option is to chew fennel seeds after meals if certain foods cause indigestion.
Possible side effects of fennel include:
Baking soda is generally safe and nontoxic. But drinking large amounts may cause some side effects such as:
If you drink a baking soda solution containing 1/2 tsp of baking soda for indigestion, don't repeat for at least 2 hours. Adults should have no more than seven 1/2 tsp in 24 hours and no more than three 1/2 tsp if over the age of 60 years.
Lemon water is also an excellent source of vitamin C. Too much lemon water, however, may wear down tooth enamel and cause increased urination. To protect your teeth, rinse your mouth with water after drinking lemon water.
Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in hot or warm water and drink a few minutes before eating.
Licorice root may calm inflammation in the GI tract, which can trigger indigestion. Chew licorice root for relief, or add it to boiling water and drink the mixture.
Licorice root may cause sodium and potassium imbalances and high blood pressure in large doses. Researchers recommend consuming no more than 100 milligrams (mg) of glycyrrhizin, the primary active compound in licorice root, daily.
Though indigestion is common, frequent indigestion is often a symptom of a chronic digestive problem, such as acid reflux or gastritis.
See a doctor if indigestion continues for more than two weeks or if you experience severe pain or other symptoms such as:
What is the best thing to drink for indigestion?
Depending on the cause of your indigestion, drinking a bit of clear broth or a drink containing ginger may help.
Does drinking water help with indigestion?
Drinking water may help dilute the acid in your stomach and reduce symptoms of indigestion.
What helps indigestion quickly?
Options for quick relief from indigestion include treatments like over-the-counter antacids and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in water.
Stomach discomfort can disrupt your life, but home remedies, such as chamomile or peppermint teas and ginger, may help relieve or prevent indigestion. If you have any worrisome or frequent symptoms, speak with a doctor or dietitian.
The FDA doesn't monitor herbs and remedies for quality, so research your brand choices.
The sooner you see a doctor for frequent indigestion, the sooner you can feel better and enjoy a higher quality of life.
'I Was Unfit And Overweight, Until I Turned 70 And Started Strength Training'
Joan MacDonald, from Ontario, Canada, took up strength training when she was 70. Now aged 78, she hasn't looked back since. This is her story.
I've always considered myself an active person. I played slow-pitch softball in my 40s, did lawn bowling in my 60s and I cycled a lot, but I didn't follow a specific programme. Over the years, I worked out at the gym on and off. I even had some success with a personal trainer at one point, but wasn't able to keep any weight off.
I was in my 70s when I knew I had to make a change. It was a couple of things that were all happening around the same time. I had terrible swelling in my ankles, painful arthritis and I had difficulty walking up and down stairs. I was on medication for high blood pressure and acid reflux, and my doctor had just told me that I may need to increase the dosage.
I was tired, I was emotional, and I was in desperate need of a change. On top of that, my mother's health was also declining – and I knew I did not want to follow the same path she was on. Here are the factors that helped me take control.
RELATED STORY 1.I relied on others for motivation
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