Reflux and heartburn at dinner: the doctor gives advice to protect yourself at parties

When they eat different foods for dinner, many people end up suffering from problems like reflux and heartburn; understand how to avoid

At the end of the year it is normal to eat different foods than usual. After all, no one wants to miss out on trying those typical delicacies that often only appear at this time of year, right? However, the problem is that some of these foods can overload the digestive system.

This can lead to conditions such as heartburn, reflux, poor digestion and, in more severe cases, gastritis or other gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, to prevent the celebration from becoming a worry, it is necessary to take some precautions.

Subsequently Dr. Rodrigo Barbosa, digestive system surgeon and proctologist, brings some guidelines on the topic to avoid suffering from reflux and heartburn at the end of the year:

Tips for protecting your digestive system at parties

To avoid problems such as reflux and heartburn at the end of the year, one of the most important tips is to drink less alcohol.

“High consumption of alcoholic beverages, common at this time of year, can cause irritation to the stomach lining, increasing the risk of gastritis and reflux. Additionally, alcohol stimulates the production of acid in the stomach, worsening heartburn and making digestion difficult,” warns the doctor.

It is recommended to alternate with water as this reduces the chances of the problem occurring. Also try choosing drinks with a lower alcohol content, such as wine or sparkling wine, instead of spirits.

Furthermore, typical holiday dishes – fatty meats, desserts rich in sugar and spicy foods – can cause indigestion, a feeling of heaviness and abdominal discomfort. Excessive consumption of these foods, especially at night, makes it difficult for the digestive system to function and can aggravate pre-existing conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux.

The doctor’s recommendations, in this regard, are to chew well and not to go to bed immediately after dinner. Not to mention that some foods can help the digestive process, such as ginger, pineapple and herbal teas such as chamomile and fennel.

“If the discomfort appears anyway and persists for more than two days or is accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, severe stomach pain, fever or diarrhea, it is essential to contact the doctor to evaluate the health of the digestive system”, concludes the specialist.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.