Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is also called heartburn. Heartburn occurs in people’s lives, when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting the mouth and stomach (esophagus). This acid reflux(backwash) can irritate the lining of the esophagus.
Digestion process is the most important thing in all living things. Human beings are not an exception, this digestion process will provide so many health benefits to the body. It just acts like a fuel supplier to the body.
In the human body digestion process is happening into several activities such as ingestion, propulsion, mechanical or physical digestion, chemical digestion, secretion, absorption, and defecation. This digestion process is very important for the other organ in the body, because it will help to digest the foods and convert into energy for the organ functions. Unfortunately sometimes this digestion process will be affected due to some disorders. In this post, we will see in depth about the digestion disorder and how to deal with it.
Few people are facing heartburn at less period, but many of them are experiencing acid reflux from time to time. When people repeatedly face acid reflux over a long period, it can cause Gastroesophageal reflux disease or heartburn. According to the health report, more than 20 percent of people are facing heartburn problems in the United states. Around the world, more than half a billion people are facing Gastroesophageal reflux disease disorder.Â
Symptoms of Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is reveal in the early stage with some symptoms such asÂ
- A sour taste in the mouth
- Regurgitation
- Nausea
- Burping
- Bloating
- Dry cough
- Sore throat, hoarseness or laryngitis
- Shortness of breath
- Asthma
- Wearing away of tooth enamel
- Trouble swallowing during consuming foods or eating any items.
- Chest pain
Reason for Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/heartburn?
GRED disorder enters into a person’s life due to some reasons. They areÂ
- Consuming too much food in daily life.
- Consuming too many spicy food items, fatty, acidic, or greasy food items.
- Drinking too much coffee or tea in daily life.
- Drinking too much alcohol, especially in the empty stomach.
- Smoking cigarettes in large numbers.
- Go to bed immediately after dinner.
- Getting depression, anxiety and stress.
Who gets Gastroesophageal reflux disease/heartburn?
Some people have a higher risk of Gastroesophageal reflux disease, including those who are:
- Smokers
- Overweight
- Pregnant
- Have a hiatal hernia
Foods to add in the daily food diet
High-fiber foods
People should add high fiber food in their daily diet, because fiber food will help to improve the digestion process and also keeps the digestive tract very well.
- Whole grains such as oatmeal, couscous and brown rice.
- Fresh Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, garlic and beets.
- Fresh Green vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, green beans and spinach.
Alkaline foods
Many people nowadays are not carrying pH scale in their daily food diet. Consuming low pH scale foods are more acidic and encourage heartburn. So, better to take high pH scale alkaline and can help offset strong stomach acid.Â
- Bananas
- Watermelon
- Cauliflower
- Fennel
- Nuts
Watery foods
Consuming high rich water containing food can dilute and weaken stomach acid. This is also improving the digestion function very well.
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Lettuce
- Watermelon
- Broth-based soups
- Herbal tea
Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
Drinking apple cider vinegar (ACV) works for acid reflux, but drinking ACV directly will not be good for the stomach, because it contains full concentration. Drink ACV with a small amount in warm water and drinking it with meals helps to reduce heartburn.
Lemon water
Lemon fruit contains too much acidic acid. But people can drink fresh lemon juice mixed with warm water and honey. The mixture of lemon juice, warm water and honey contains a good alkalizing effect that controls the stomach acid. Also, honey contains natural antioxidants properties that will protect the health of cells.
Ginger
Ginger contains so many medicinal properties. It contains alkaline in nature and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to avoid irritation in the digestive tract. People can drink ginger tea, this will help to reduce heartburn.
Simple Tips to avoid Heartburn/Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Following simple methods will help to overcome heartburn/Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- Workouts regularly: Doing simple physical workouts such as walking, running, swimming and playing games at evening times helps to improve healthy microbes in the body. It also helps to keep the bowel movements very well and prevents disease.
- Sleep at night: Good sleep helps to balance hormones, but many of them sacrifice their sleeping time in front of smartphones. Avoiding sleep at night time will cause several health issues including digestion disorder. So, people should sleep 8 hours a night (9 p.m – 5 a.m).
- Decreasing stress levels:Â Stress can be of various types and it can have multiple effects on health. Doing simple body massage will help to reduce stress, depression and anxiety. This will help to improve the digestion process and also avoid the heartburn problem.Â
Modern days people are not more important to their food diet because of the modern food diet style. This will affect their digestive health system, So, people should be more concerned about their food diet.Â
Following the healthy food diet will balance microbes and bacteria is good throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The beneficial microbes:
- Fight against bacteria and viruses.
- Improving the production of brain chemical serotonin, which is a mood enhancer
- Flush out the toxic substance.
- Take enough nutrients from the food and turn it into energy.
So, people should always follow the natural and fresh healthy food diet to improve the digestion process and also keeps the body active.
Commonly people with heartburn, mostly use the antacids, over-the-counter medications that neutralize stomach acid. But regularly using this medicine will be harmful to the body’s health. So, better to seek doctor advice is good for the digestive system health.
