{"id":3108,"date":"2010-12-15T08:22:36","date_gmt":"2010-12-15T13:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ehealth.cooperhealth.org\/?p=3108"},"modified":"2021-07-21T19:09:59","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T19:09:59","slug":"avoid-holiday-heartburn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2010\/12\/15\/avoid-holiday-heartburn\/","title":{"rendered":"Avoid Holiday Heartburn"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AvoidFrom candy canes to cocktail parties, the season\u2019s foods and festivities can trigger heartburn symptoms in people who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease.<\/p>\n

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD, is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when acid produced by the stomach (to help digest the food we eat) refluxes (flows backward) into the esophagus. This results in the typical symptom of heartburn.<\/p>\n

The esophagus, or food pipe, is an approximately 10-inch-long, one-inch-wide tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach. At its base is a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES opens to allow food into the stomach when we eat, and then closes to prevent the contents of the stomach from backing up into the esophagus. Sometimes, however, the sphincter doesn\u2019t work properly, and the stomach acid enters the esophagus.<\/p>\n

Acid that refluxes into the esophagus can cause irritation and heartburn. Other symptoms can include pain or tightness in the upper or middle chest, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, soreness and burning in the back of the throat, hoarseness, coughing and difficulty swallowing.<\/p>\n

While heartburn is a common digestive symptom that most people experience from time to time, frequent sufferers \u2013 more than twice a week \u2013 are particularly susceptible during the holidays, when high-fat treats at social gatherings, alcoholic beverages, and a host of other \u201coffending\u201d foods are more prevalent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best way to prevent acid-reflux discomfort is to avoid the foods and beverages that cause the symptoms,\u201d said gastroenterologist Andrew R. Conn, MD<\/a>, of the Cooper Digestive Health Institute<\/a>. \u201cPay attention to what you eat and drink, particularly if you know which of these will trigger your symptoms. During the holidays, things such as chocolate, caffeinated beverages and alcohol are typical foods that can result in heartburn,\u201d Dr. Conn said.<\/p>\n

Certain foods and ingredients are considered \u201coffending\u201d because they\u2019re known to relax the function of the lower esophageal sphincter and thereby promote reflux. Not everyone experiences symptoms from all of the offending foods all of the time, but here are the ones to watch out for:<\/p>\n