I often get heartburn, stomach pains, acid reflex, ect. after eating. I dont have a balanced diet.What can I d?
Monday, September 28th, 2009 at
7:35 am
Please no smart remarks like eat better or something. Im looking for a plan to try to clean out my body.
I talked to a nutrition freak of mind and she suggested maybe going on a vegetarian lifestyle for a while.
I am going to drop fast food/soda also.
is there any diet/lifestyle food plan I can go by or anybody recommends
Filed under: Heartburn Diets
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
Heartburn is that burning sensation you experience under your breastbone after you’ve eaten something you liked that didn’t like you. Sometimes it’s mistaken for a heart attack. Or worse, a heart attack may be labeled as heartburn.
Heartburn s the result of esophageal reflux, which is the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (the middle at the end of the esophagus). Normally this muscle relaxes to let food into the stomach, then immediately contracts to close off the esophagus from the stomach contents. But if the muscle weakens–a common result of pregnancy and, sometimes, obesity–acid and bile from the stomach can back up into the unprotected esophagus and irritate it, causing a burning sensation in the chest.
Many foods can trigger heartburn. Peppermint, spearmint, fatty foods and chocolate are among the most menacing. Citrus juice, tomato products, coffee (yes, even decaff!), tea, colas, and alcohol can also aggravate or initiate heartburn.
Certain drugs also have been indicted. Progesterone in oral contraceptives, nicotine, the tranquilizer Valium, antibiotics such as tetracycline, asthma medications such as aminophyulline, and certain heart medicates are just a few examples. The acidity in Vitamin C tablets can also cause the problem.
Heartburn can also be disease related. The major symptom of a gastric ulcer is a burning, gnawing pain, usually felt throughout the upper part of the abdomen and sometimes in the lower chest. It usually occurs just after eating and can last from half an hour to three hours. The problem can come and go, with weeks of intermittent pain alternating with short pain-free periods. A duodenal ulcer produces a similar gnawing pain, usually confined to a small area in the upper middle abdomen but sometimes radiating throughout. The pain is often temporarily relieved by eating but then returns several hours later and lasts for a couple of hours. It’s often worst at night. In fact, nighttime aggravation us such a telltale sign that if you are being awakened by pain the wee small hours, take that as a clue that you may have a duodenal ulcer.
Responses:
The first reaction to an attack of heartburn is usually to take an antacid tablet such as Rolaids and lie down. But it’s the wrong reaction. The best way to get immediate relief from heartburn is to take a liquid antacid such as Mylanta and sit up. Sitting up helps reduce the pressure against the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. And while antacid tables may be more convenient, .liquid preparations have the edge because they coat more of the surface of the esophagus and stomach, providing more soothing relief.
Antacids contain at least one of four neutralizing ingredients–sodium bicarb, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide–each of which can have its own set of side effects. For this reason, antacids should be used only for occasional bouts of heartburn. Long-term use should be monitored by a health care professional.
Antacids containing calcium carbonate such as Tums and Alka-Mints and Aluminum hydroxide such as AlternaGel can cause constipation. Sodium-containing products can load up your system with sodium. AND ANY ANTACID CAN INTERACT WITH CERTAIN ANTBIOTRICS< HEART MEDICARTIONS AND OTHER DRUGS.
To minimize attacks, avoid the foods or drugs that aggravate heartburn. This can be done by keeping a food diary and noting which food or foods bringing on an attack.
In addition, you should eat small, frequent meals instead of infrequent, heavy ones, eat your last meal of the day several hours before bedtime, rinse your esophagus frequently by lowing slipping water throughout the day and avoid lying down after meals.
If heartburn is a frequent problem at night, raise the head of your bred four to six inches. This will elevate your upper body without folding you in half which can aggravate the condition. And avoid using extra pillows for the same reason.
I really recommend going to a ‘health food’ store and have someone help you out.
Fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, fish – these are all natural and healthy for your body.
Health food can be pricey – but you can pay me now or you can pay me later; but your gonna pay.
It’s so sad all these people getting heart disease, diabetes in their early 60’s and it’s mostly caused by our sad American diet.
Most of the fast food restaurants are junk and our body can put up with it for many decades – but you pay ultimately when your older with disease and expensive medical bills.
I am glad that you’re changing your diet – your body will thank-you for it and you will feel so much better.
I also take a natural Whole food vitamin by New Chapter. They have them for Men & Woman. You can get them cheaper on LuckyVitamin.com I have some doctor’s in my family and this has been researched thoroughly as the best vitamin. Also, try drinking lots of water. Ice Mountain is a great product. DO NOT drink tap water – it’s horrible, you would not believe what is in it.
I wish you all the best & you will be feeling better soon when you start your fresh new diet.
Now, I never recommend going cold turkey. Have dessert & unhealthy foods around holidays or splurge a few times a month. But, the majority of your diet should be what God made – What comes from the ground!
Good luck and I wish you all the best
Drink 100% green tea with ginseng (but with no preservatives). Plus, eating yoplait really does help regulate a better digestive tract.
Do this in the morning once in a month: Before eating breakfast, drink mildly salted water and lie on your side for a bit. After about half an hour, urinate. Then go ahead and eat a healthy breakfast – not too much starchy products. 100% fruit juices (orange, apple, pineapple, lemon, etc) are good for you in the morning to start your day.
Drop fast food and carbonated/sugary drinks completely (no exceptions). I gree with you on that.
But when you get where you want your body to be, I hope to don’t resort back to fast/junk food.