How does alcohol trigger heartburn?
The negative connection between alcohol and
heartburn is not a great secret. However,
very few people know how this connection actually
works. Actually, there are different ways in which
alcohol can trigger heartburn.
·
Findings have shown that alcohol
consumption can increase the production of acid in
the stomach. This increased acid just bides its
time till it can capitalize on the already
existing condition like GERD to trigger off
heartburn.
·
It is also assumed that alcohol speeds
up the process of acid reflux from the stomach to
the esophagus, as it relaxes the LES or lower
esophageal sphincter.
·
Sometimes alcohol can also trigger
heartburn by inducing changes in the lifestyle of
a person. Late night parties, followed by binge
eating and drinking can escalate heartburn. This
is because; alcohol and the induced lifestyle
changes can seriously hamper your biological
clock. Irregular eating and sleeping problems
caused by alcohol can also intensify heartburn.
Alcohol consumption, therefore, can
seriously affect your heartburn condition for the
worst. This problem also aggravates, as people who
are used to having alcohol cannot give it up
completely despite trying. However, despite this,
you can control your alcohol consumption and can
make a significant difference in your condition
related to heartburn.
Tips and tricks
To control alcohol consumption, you can
begin gradually by limiting the intake of alcohol.
Don't stop drinking alcohol altogether if you
drink regularly, as it may cause alcohol
withdrawal symptoms. Instead, you can try and
reduce the intake from three glasses a day to two
and half to two glasses and so on. It is also a
good idea to consult a physician before limiting
or controlling your alcohol intake in a safe way.
You should also avoid drinking alcohol after a
particularly large and rich meal. This is because,
fatty and spicy food can trigger heartburn most
efficiently. Add alcohol to the list and you may
well prepare yourself to sit through the night
nursing heartburn.
You can drink the unfiltered wheat beer
which is known not to trigger acid reflux. You can
also dilute your drink with water, club soda or
tonics that blend well with the type of alcohol
you are drinking. Take smaller glasses for
drinking, which can reduce your consumption
significantly.
Sometimes, despite all your efforts,
you can still find it extremely difficult to
control alcohol consumption. At such times you can
take help of the holistic approach. Besides
helping you to deal with alcohol issues, it
holistic approach would treat heartburn with a
combination of herbal remedies and lifestyle
changes. It enables you to regain the lost control
on your life and is an all-natural, safe, and
permanent remedy for
heartburn.
