WHAT IS GERD?

WHAT IS GERD?
Acid reflux [GASTRO-ESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISORDER]occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle allows the stomach's contents to splash back into the esophagus, resulting in painful heartburn, chest pain, coughing or choking while lying down, or increased asthma symptoms while sleeping. Eating too much at one time, too much acid in the stomach, or food remaining in the stomach for too long a time can all prevent this muscle from doing what it is supposed to. Ideally, food should move smoothly and relatively quickly through the stomach and on to the lower digestive tract.

WHAT FOODS TO AVOID?
Foods that can increase acid production include coffee (caffeinated and decaffeinated), chocolate, soft drinks and cocoa. Acidic foods that should be avoided include citrus fruits and juices (orange, lemon, grapefruit), cranberry juice, lemonade, pineapple, tomatoes and tomato products (spaghetti sauce, salsa, soup).
Other foods that can cause heartburn are those high in fat, such as french fries, ground beef (chuck), marbled steak, chicken nuggets, buffalo wings, sour cream, milkshakes, ice cream, regular cottage cheese, macaroni and cheese, doughnuts, corn chips, regular potato chips, brownies, butter cookies, mayonnaise, butter, margarine, creamy sauces, salad dressing and whole-milk dairy products.
Raw onions and spicy foods can cause heartburn and alcohol relaxes the LES muscle causing it to allow acid reflux.
Avoid when possible processed foods, white sugar, white flour and wheat, which can produce an acidic reaction. Healthcentral.com suggests that wheat, a known allergen, may be the sole cause of some acid reflux and that eliminating gluten from your diet might be all that is necessary to stop acid reflux.

LOW-RISK FOODS
Foods that carry little risk of causing heartburn include apples (juice, dried and fresh), bananas, baked potato, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, green beans, peas, extra lean ground beef, London broil, skinless chicken breast, egg whites, egg substitute, fish prepared with no additional fat, feta or goat cheese, fat-free cream cheese and sour cream, low-fat soy cheese, multi-grain or white bread, bran cereal or oatmeal, corn bread, graham crackers, pretzels, brown or white rice, rice cakes, mineral water, low-fat salad dressing, fat-free cookies, jelly beans, red licorice, angel food cake, baked potato chips.

WORTH TRYING
These foods may require some experimentation, but may be tolerated in moderate amounts by some GERD patients: low-acid orange juice, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, grapes and dried cranberries, garlic, cooked onion, leeks, chicken salad, eggs scrambled in butter, fried eggs, tuna salad, beef or pork hot dogs, ham, yogurt, 2-percent or skim milk, frozen yogurt, cheddar or mozzarella cheese, garlic bread, granola, non-alcoholic wine or beer, root beer, small amounts of ketchup.
Complex carbohydrates, whole grains and starchy vegetables, including sweet potatoes and plantains, are not only gentle on the stomach, but also help control excess stomach acid. Among the best whole grains for long-term acid reflux reduction are millet, couscous and amaranth, all of which are considered alkaline.

MORE TIPS
Eating five or six small meals per day instead of three large ones prevents the stomach from becoming too full.
Putting your fork down between bites will prevent you from eating too much too fast.
After dinner, chewing gum stimulates saliva production which can help neutralize stomach acid and increase peristalsis, the contractions and relaxation of muscles along the digestive tract that helps move stomach contents along the digestive system.
Drinking a glass of lukewarm water or herbal tea after a meal can dilute and flush out stomach acid.
An after-dinner cigarette, cigar or pipe can cause problems by weakening the LES muscle.

WEB SITES
www.heartburn.about.com/library/bl_samplemenu_charts.html.
http://www.drgourmet.com/gerd

Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice.
For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.

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