Is Your Diet Causing Your Heartburn?

Are you suffering from regular heartburn? If so, take a look at your diet to find the culprit of your pain.  An occasional bout of indigestion or heartburn is generally nothing to worry about. But there is growing concern about the dangers of frequent or chronic heartburn.

If you suffer from chronic, painful heartburn, see a doctor immediately. If left untreated, chronic heartuburn can cause sleep problems, chronic cough and even asthma. Even more startling, years of chronic heartburn can cause permanent structural changes to the lining of your esophagus, putting you at a higher risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma—a very aggressive and deadly cancer.

If you suffer from occasional heartburn, you can get some relief by doing the following:

1. Cut back on fried, fatty foods
2. Eat more complex carbohydrates (bread, pasta, potatoes)
3. Reduce your intake of chocolate, peppermint, coffee, alcohol and raw onions
4. Reduce your intake of citrus juices and fruits
5. Avoid spicy foods
6. If you are overweight, losing 10-15 pounds may help your condition
7. Avoid lying down for at least 3 hours after eating, when you stand, gravity helps prevent acid reflux.  Sleeping with your head elevated may also help
8. Lie on your left side rather than your right side.  It sounds strange but it’s true.  It’s because the esophagus enters the stomach from the right, so when you lie on your right side, the esophagus is below the stomach opening, makeit it easier for acid to flow downward and into the esophagus. 
9. Avoid drinking alcohol and then going straight to bed