The holiday season is a time for much-needed time away from work and fun with family. However, while busy celebrating the holidays, there’s one thing that we tend to lose sight of – our diet.
With all the potatoes, greens, ham, turkey, gravy, dressing and more sitting before our eyes, it’s hard to avoid overeating or indulging in a few holiday drinks. Though, if we’re not careful, these holiday habits can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease, better known as heartburn.
“If you’re experiencing frequent or persistent heartburn or acid reflux, particularly following meals, this is definitely a symptom that you should monitor and discuss with your primary care physician,” said Dr. Brandon Smaglo, assistant professor of internal medicine at Baylor’s Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“Consistent acid reflux or heartburn can develop into larger problems and should be taken seriously,” he continued.
Here are some warnings signs for esophageal disease to look out for this holiday season, according to Baylor College of Medicine:
Watch what you eat.
We all get heartburn every once in a while. But, if you experience heartburn regularly, or difficulty swallowing, then you may be dealing with an esophageal disease. Drinks such as coffee and alcohol won’t help the situation. Also, any foods containing…
…chocolate or tomatoes as the main ingredient can make things worse, too.
Stay awake.
The ‘itis is real. We’ve all felt a strong feeling of exhaustion and sleepiness after eating a large, fatty meal. But, if we give in to our desire to lie down after the big family dinner, it’s more likely we’ll experience heartburn. Try going for a walk around the neighborhood after eating.
Beware of relying on OTC medications.
If you regularly get heartburn, that probably means you keep Tums, Zantac, Pepcid and Protonix in your pocket at all times. Though these medicines may help in the moment, there still may be an underlying problem which causes the heartburn so frequently. Make an appointment with your physician after the holidays to discuss what’s happening after you eat.
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