Ah summer…a time for lounging in the pool and eating juicy burgers fresh off the grill…and heartburn?
It turns out that many Americans who suffer from acid reflux find it hardest to manage their symptoms during the dog days of summer. Even some who only rarely experience heartburn report that it plagues them more during the summer months.
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, resulting in a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, the most common of which is heartburn (a burning feeling in the throat or chest). Other reflux symptoms include a sour taste in the mouth, trouble swallowing, regurgitation, and coughing. The painful emergence of summer heartburn is most likely related to a change in eating habits when the temperature creeps up. If you’re among those who enjoy a good barbecue and also battle summer heartburn, consider paying attention to the following tips:
- Replace fatty foods with leaner options. This may mean tossing a turkey burger or hot dog, a plant-based burger, or even a salmon filet on the grill instead of traditional red meat options. If you can’t give up the beef burger, pick ground beef that is labeled 90% or more lean. Avoid fried foods altogether.
- Be mindful of the ingredients being used in dressings, marinades, and sauces. Just because you picked up lean meat doesn’t mean you’re in the clear when it comes to heartburn triggers. Minimize the use of tomato-based sauces, garlic, spicy items, raw onions, and citrus ingredients until you pinpoint what causes your discomfort.
- When the ice cream truck makes its rounds, consider eating a refreshing popsicle, sorbet, or some low-fat frozen yogurt instead. If you simply can’t resist an ice cream treat, avoid chocolate and mint flavors since they are known to exacerbate heartburn.
- What you drink can have a big impact on heartburn too. It’s best to limit your intake of alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated drinks. Lemonade’s acidity can also prove problematic, so you should skip that summer staple as well. Being out in the sun and heat can be dehydrating, so water is your friend for many reasons! Caffeine-free iced tea is another refreshing option.
- Stop eating two to three hours before bedtime. If you do decide to risk one of the heartburn-inducing yet delicious summertime treats, your body will manage it better if you have more time to digest before lying down.
Do not let heartburn and acid reflux keep you from making the most of your summer! Hopefully following these simple diet tips will keep you feeling your best throughout barbecue season. If you just can’t get a handle on it and find yourself suffering from acid reflux two or more days per week, you may have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). In that case, reach out to Dr. Uecker and his team to learn about surgical options that may provide you with long-awaited freedom from acid reflux pain and discomfort.
Source: https://news.pg.com
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John M Uecker, M.D. has been in practice in Austin since 2003. His practice focuses on the surgical treatment of hernias, gallstones, GERD, hiatal hernias and thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal tumors. He started and leads the robotic surgery program at Dell Seton Medical Center. Dr. Uecker is the Division Chief of minimally invasive surgery and an Associate Professor at the University of Texas Dell Medical School where he enjoys teaching medical students and residents.
