What is GERD? The Link Between Heartburn and GERD
What is GERD! GERD is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, a very common and irritating condition. It can simply be understood as a disorder in which the stomach contents irritate the esophagus. Normally, once the food reaches the stomach, the acids do not flow back into the esophagus.
When this happens, it causes a burning sensation called heartburn, which is very uncomfortable. Many people suffer from this condition, and especially after eating a certain type of food. Some doctors say it’s a diet problem, inferring that if you don’t eat a balanced diet, then you’re exposing yourself to heartburn.
Some people experience heartburn from eating a lot of starchy foods such as sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, and some people get heartburn from eating beans. Another group of people who frequently experience heartburn are pregnant women and children. The good news is that this condition can be controlled with a balanced diet.
When people are diagnosed with GERD, it’s natural to ask what GERD is and how it can be treated. Some foods that can be used to counteract GERD once it occurs are oats, ginger, aloe vera… The foods mentioned here are low in vitamin C and have a very low acid content. Based on this assumption, most nutritionists and dietitians advise their clients to eat foods low in vitamin C and acid to curb GERD.
Not all conditions can be controlled with a balanced diet. Since the cause of GERD is mainly the reflux of food into the esophagus. Sometimes it is the (LES) that is the problem, not the food. Look at it this way; The LES (lower esophageal sphincter), the lower part of the esophagus that joins the stomach, is supposed to open to allow food to pass into the stomach.
However, in some cases, it can be weak, allowing food to move back up the esophagus, causing heartburn. In such a case, eating a balanced diet alone will definitely not solve the problem. As suggested above, you may need to add foods to your diet that counter GERD, effectively curing the LES.
In some cases, medications are used to treat GERD, which helps reduce stomach acid. There are other natural home remedies, including changing your lifestyle. It will help you lose weight, avoid alcoholic beverages, and discipline yourself to eat smaller portions of food. If you smoke, keep in mind that smoking weakens the LES, and it would be wise to seriously consider quitting.