It is important to remember that GORD is a condition, and heartburn its most prominent symptom.
There is much you can do to prevent heartburn. It is essential that you take action, as chronic reflux can actually damage your oesophagus. This part of your body is not protected against the corrosive action of stomach acids. If you get heartburn frequently – many people suffer from it daily- it is essential that you follow the tips below with regards to changing your lifestyle and diet.
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Fast food is fat food. Fatty foods such as hamburgers and pies can give you heartburn. Plan your daily meals, so that you are not starving while stuck between two appointments and fast food is the only option. Cut down generally on your fat intake.
Snuff it out. Stop smoking – do whatever it takes, whether it's hypnosis, Smokenders, nicotine patches or therapy. Apart from worsening the symptoms of heartburn, smoking is bad for your health in general.
Scrap the late night snack. If you eat a packet of chips just before you go to bed, it has had no time at all to digest before you get into a horizontal position. You know what happens next. Allow at least three hours between your last meal and bedtime, giving your body time to digest the meal before you lie down.
Grill rather than fry. Throw away your frying pan! Rather grill your foods, as it severely reduces the fat content of your meals.
Get fresh. Fresh fruit and vegetables are rich in fibre and healthy in general. It is also easy to take these to work with you. Get into a habit of keeping fresh fruit at home and munch on these when you feel the need to snack. (Tomatoes and onions can increase the acid levels in your stomach, so go slow on these).
Jeans too tight? Tight-fitting clothes around the abdomen make the job of your stomach difficult. The digestion process needs space and if your clothes fit too tightly, reflux may occur.
Don't hit the bottle. Too much alcohol can cause heartburn very easily. Two units a day are recommended for men and one for women. (A unit is one beer, one glass of wine, or one tot of spirits). It is not a good idea for those who suffer from heartburn to drink nothing all week and then drink seven beers on a Saturday night.
Don't spice up your life. Avoid spicy food as well as large quantities of salt and vinegar. Be on the lookout in restaurants and learn to ask about spice and salt content already added to preprepared foods.
Caffeine crisis. Caffeine is bad news to all those suffering from heartburn. Learn to drink less tea and coffee and opt for soda drinks that do not contain caffeine. Rooibos Tea also does not contain caffeine and makes a pleasant alternative.
Take time out. Constant stress can affect your digestive process and cause higher levels of stomach acid to be produced, even when there is no food in your stomach. Learn to relax, do some yoga classes and take some time out for yourself.
Get moving. Exercise is good for your whole system and many people have found that their heartburn decreases once they switch to a healthier diet and they get some regular exercise. You do not have to do an Olympic training programme in order to get exercise – half an hour of brisk walking a day could make the difference.
Don't gobble up. Eat your food slowly. The faster you eat, the harder your stomach has to work and the more likely you are to suffer from heartburn. Take breaks in between bites. Empty you mouth completely and wait a moment or two before you start on the next bite.
Don't become a pillpopper. While there are many over-the-counter remedies that do work for heartburn, don't lose sight of the fact that heartburn is your body's way of telling you you should change your lifestyle. Rather than living on antacids, get to work on changing your diet and lifestyle, and make the heartburn disappear.
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