"The holiday season is clearly one of the worst times of the year for patients with GORD," gastroenterologist Dr William Chey, of the University of Michigan Health System, said in a prepared statement.

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"The large amounts of food we eat during the holidays, and the types of food served during the holidays - especially fatty and caffeinated foods - can be a recipe for disaster for chronic heartburn sufferers," Chey said.

People with GORD have a relaxed or weakened lower oesophageal sphincter - the muscular valve between the stomach and the oesophagus. This type of weakened valve doesn't properly block stomach acid from flowing back up into the oesophagus.

Chey offered the following holiday tips for people with GORD:

• Don't overeat. "Large amounts of food distend, or stretch the stomach, which can cause the lower oesophageal sphincter to relax and release acid back up through the oesophagus."
• Avoid caffeinated beverages and foods that can aggravate GORD symptoms.
• Don't eat fatty, greasy foods. "Excessive fats in foods work to slow the process of food leaving the stomach. If food isn't emptied from the stomach, it can back up into the oesophagus," Chey said. Fatty and greasy foods also promote relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter.
• Don't drink red wine, which has been shown to cause heartburn. White wine can also be a problem, the expert said.
• The time of day can affect GORD symptoms. "Gravity actually serves as an important barrier for acid reflux during the day. So, when you lie down at night after eating a meal, you no longer have that gravity barrier to prevent acid reflux," Chey said. People who tend to have GORD symptoms at night should not eat or drink anything for three to four hours before bedtime.

- (HealthDayNews)

Read more:
Heartburn Centre
GORD - lifestyle changes you can make

November 2006
 

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