Dealing With Heartburn When You Love Spicy Food
Is a plate of spaghetti a prescription for heartburn? Does eating Mexican keep you up half the night? If so, you're among the millions of people who suffer from an acid reflux condition.
The most common symptom is a burning sensation that moves from the stomach area up into the chest.
Some people experience this as chest pain instead, whereas others complain of regurgitation or nausea.
If you consult your physician, he'll say to avoid irritating foods.
But if pepperoni pizza is the spice of life, is there any answer to brighten your day? Here are 5 tips to avoid the heartburn: 1.
Take an over-the-counter acid-reducing medicine at least an hour before you plan to eat spicy foods.
Medications such as Axid, Zantac, Pepcid, Tagamet, Prilosec, and Prevacid all work by first being absorbed into your bloodstream, then returning to the cells of the stomach, where they turn off the acid-producing mechanism.
Stomach irritation or heartburn are often due to a combination of irritants, one of which is stomach acid.
By decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces, a person is often able to tolerate spicy foods without heartburn symptoms.
2.
Keep a roll of antacids in your pocket.
Especially if you've forgotten to comply with tip #1, chew a few antacids both at the beginning and end of your meal.
This will neutralize at least some of the acid your body produces.
Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal may also be helpful.
3.
Avoid drinking alcohol with your spicy meal.
Alcohol intake is another source of stomach irritation over which you have control.
Enjoy the tacos or lasagna, but save the wine or beer for another day.
4.
Don't eat late at night.
Acid reflux is partly a matter of gravity.
When you are upright, it is more difficult for acid stomach contents to splash upwards into the esophagus.
Lying down allows fluids to back-flow into the esophagus, or even as high as the mouth or throat.
Remain seated (or standing) at least 2 hours after a meal to minimize the reflux.
5.
Avoid overeating.
Acid reflux is partly a matter of pressure.
If you feel your stomach so full you're about to burst, it's much easier for stomach acid to reflux upwards.
Eat slowly and allow your stomach to empty a little along the way.
Of course, the best thing is to avoid foods which cause acid reflux: tomato products, citrus juices, onions, spicy foods, - even chocolate.
For people with occasional heartburn, occasional treatment with one of the above products is reasonable.
For those who experience daily heartburn or severe chest pain, seeking professional advice is advisable.
You don't want to disguise a stomach ulcer or cancer, or treat a heart attack with Rolaids.
Copyright 2010 Cynthia J.
Koelker, M.
D.
The most common symptom is a burning sensation that moves from the stomach area up into the chest.
Some people experience this as chest pain instead, whereas others complain of regurgitation or nausea.
If you consult your physician, he'll say to avoid irritating foods.
But if pepperoni pizza is the spice of life, is there any answer to brighten your day? Here are 5 tips to avoid the heartburn: 1.
Take an over-the-counter acid-reducing medicine at least an hour before you plan to eat spicy foods.
Medications such as Axid, Zantac, Pepcid, Tagamet, Prilosec, and Prevacid all work by first being absorbed into your bloodstream, then returning to the cells of the stomach, where they turn off the acid-producing mechanism.
Stomach irritation or heartburn are often due to a combination of irritants, one of which is stomach acid.
By decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces, a person is often able to tolerate spicy foods without heartburn symptoms.
2.
Keep a roll of antacids in your pocket.
Especially if you've forgotten to comply with tip #1, chew a few antacids both at the beginning and end of your meal.
This will neutralize at least some of the acid your body produces.
Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal may also be helpful.
3.
Avoid drinking alcohol with your spicy meal.
Alcohol intake is another source of stomach irritation over which you have control.
Enjoy the tacos or lasagna, but save the wine or beer for another day.
4.
Don't eat late at night.
Acid reflux is partly a matter of gravity.
When you are upright, it is more difficult for acid stomach contents to splash upwards into the esophagus.
Lying down allows fluids to back-flow into the esophagus, or even as high as the mouth or throat.
Remain seated (or standing) at least 2 hours after a meal to minimize the reflux.
5.
Avoid overeating.
Acid reflux is partly a matter of pressure.
If you feel your stomach so full you're about to burst, it's much easier for stomach acid to reflux upwards.
Eat slowly and allow your stomach to empty a little along the way.
Of course, the best thing is to avoid foods which cause acid reflux: tomato products, citrus juices, onions, spicy foods, - even chocolate.
For people with occasional heartburn, occasional treatment with one of the above products is reasonable.
For those who experience daily heartburn or severe chest pain, seeking professional advice is advisable.
You don't want to disguise a stomach ulcer or cancer, or treat a heart attack with Rolaids.
Copyright 2010 Cynthia J.
Koelker, M.
D.
