Eating Too Spicy And Acidic
Spicy, acidic foods are delicious, but they can wreak havoc on your digestive system!
Spicy and acidic foods increase the production of the digestive acids in your stomach. Too much acid, and it may spill back up your esophagus. Acid reflux and GERD are two of the most common side effects of eating high-acid and very spicy foods.
Obviously its easy to cut back on the spiciness of your food, but there are a few high-acid foods to cut back on as well:
- Coffee
- Fatty foods
Why You Might Have Stomach Pain After Eating
Often, people complain of sharp, stabbing, dull, or mild stomach pain after eating. This ache sometimes lasts for as long as a few seconds to some minutes.
But what could cause this? There are several causes of stomach pain after eating. It may occur when eating, immediately afterward, or during digestion.
Regardless of the time of occurrence and duration, here are some reasons you might have stomach issues with eating:
Overeating
Overeating or eating too fast can cause pain after eating.
When you rush the eating process, you may be unable to properly chew down your food, which in return leads to disruptive digestion.
Allergic Reaction
Sometimes your stomach aches, maybe your bodys reaction to a particular ingredient, food, or substance that you are sensitive to.
Foods are more likely to cause an allergic sensation to include eggs, gluten, peanut butter, yogurt, dairy products, and wheat.
Heartburn
Heartburn occurs when there is not enough stomach acid to break down food substances.
This results in burning chest pain that lasts for about a few minutes or hours.
Intestinal Obstruction
Blockages in your small intestine or colon can make it difficult for your body to properly absorb and digest foods.
This happens when you eat too fast and makes it unable for large food substances to be processed. Tumors can also cause intestinal obstruction.
Infections
Take A Little Extra Time Eating
Taking your time eating and chewing your food well, particularly in meals with protein, starts the digestion process off properly and increases the likelihood of the food being absorbed in the small intestine.
Eating too fast and not chewing food properly on the other hand often causes digestive problems. By hurrying a meal down you risk a good portion of it ending up undigested in the large intestine.
The more undigested food that you send to your colon, the more the billions of bacteria down there will happily turn it into bad gas and bloat up your belly.
When you have smaller meals and take your time, rather than eating too fast, you are much less likely to be feeding them so well. Additionally, poorly digested food is a major cause of constipation.
Eating more slowly also helps reduce stomach gas and bloating from swallowed air and gives a feeling of fullness and satisfaction after a meal that eating quickly rarely does. In this way, slowing down and not eating so fast is one of the easiest ways to start losing weight naturally.
Life can be pretty busy sometimes, but eating is one of those important daily activities that is really worth slowing down for and taking the time to taste and enjoy. Your body will thank you for it later.
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Can You Get Heartburn When Hungry What Causes Heartburn
Heartburn is a burning, painful sensation that occurs in the chest when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. The sensation is usually felt in the center of the chest, right behind the breast bone. Its often worse when you lay flat or on your right side.
Over the counter antacids like Tums, Zantac, and Pepcid can bring fast relief in many cases. There are also some home remedies and lifestyle changes that can be very helpful. People who experience heartburn only occasionally dont usually need to see their doctor.
However, if your symptoms become frequent or severe, you should see a gastroenterologist. Anyone who experiences shortness of breath, pain going down the neck and arms, along with severe heartburn should seek emergency medical attention because they may be having a heart attack.
Yes, you can get heartburn when hungry, and hunger pangs can make the heartburn sensation more intense. Some types of heartburn, such as dyspepsia, can also mimic hunger pains. GERD and acid reflux are more common after eating certain foods or after a heavy meal.
Whether you get heartburn when hungry or after eating, knowing which type of heartburn you are experiencing can be helpful when seeking treatment.
Why Upper Middle Stomach Pain After Eating
If youre tired of having stomach or abdominal pain after eating, then heres what you need to do in order to avoid a repetitive occurrence of pain on either side or both sides of your abdomen.
Abdominal pain is usually a mild, sharp, stabbing, or burning ache in the areas surrounding your abdomen.
It may be sudden and go on its own or last a few days or more, depending on the triggering cause.
This condition does not always signify a life-threatening problem, however, it can lead to one, if the pain is severe and consistent.
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How Your Doctor Can Help
If your heartburn is frequent and it is upsetting your daily life, have it evaluated by your doctor. Chronic heartburn is a symptom of GERD and some other digestive disorders.
Un- and under-treated acid reflux may lead to complications, including esophageal cancer. Your doctor can prescribe a treatment for heartburn or acid reflux that can reduce these risks.
If you are prescribed medication for heartburn, be sure to take your medication at the same time every day. If you are prone to forgetting, set an alarm to remind you or take your medication when you do another daily activity that you don’t forget doing, such as brushing your teeth or washing your face.
If you are taking an antacid more than once or twice a week, see your doctor about modifying your treatment plan.
Surgery For Severe Gerd
If you need regular high doses of PPIs to control your symptoms, have damage to your esophagus even with medication, and a hiatal hernia, you may need surgery for GERD. But you should try all the other treatments you can first.
Fundoplication: This is a procedure that raises the pressure in your lower esophagus. The doctor will wind the top of your stomach around the LES. This tightens the muscle and raises pressure in your lower esophagus to stop reflux. Theyâll do this either through a laparoscope or through open surgery.
Transoral incisionless fundoplication : A newer from of this surgery uses an endoscope to wrap the stomach around the LES with plastic fasteners. Itâs less invasive than standard fundoplication.
Stretta procedure: Your doctor puts a small tube down the esophagus that uses low-radiofrequency heat to reshape your LES.
LINX surgery: Your doctor wraps a band of magnetic titanium beads around the place where your stomach and esophagus meet. The magnetic attraction of the beads keeps it loose enough to let food pass through into the stomach, but tight enough to stop reflux.
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Preventing Reflux When Fasting
Tools do exist to help relieve acid reflux while fasting. “Some strategies include drinking water, especially alkaline water,” suggests Dr. Berookim. “Also, warm water can help settle the stomach. In addition, small quantities of water would be suggested, as large quantities may fool the stomach that it’s full and thus secrete acid.” He recommends skipping extra ingredients, like lemon in your water, because they may trigger more discomfort.
Another home remedy is drinking ginger tea. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries to calm digestive distress. Research published in the journal Children in September 2014 found that ginger provided significant symptom relief from GERD in kids.
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Ginger tea’s close cousin, chamomile tea, is another smart choice for quelling fasting-induced heartburn. A November 2010 review paper in the journal Molecular Medicine Reports found that an extract of chamomile tea lowered stomach acid as effectively as an over-the-counter antacid. One cautionary note: Although it’s been used since ancient times, it hasn’t been well studied, says the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. People taking blood thinners should talk to their doctor before taking chamomile. There’s also a potential risk of allergic reaction in people with allergies to ragweed or related plants, it says.
Eating Too Fast Feeds Intestinal Bacteria
While some food components, such as certain carbohydrates in beans, are unlikely to be digested, regardless of how well we chew them up. Others, like proteins that can be digested more fully with slower eating, often arent when we eat too quickly.
Having too much protein in too large a meal is a common cause of digestive problems and excessive flatulence.
Undigested protein can putrefy in the heat of the large intestine and, with bacterial action, lead to the production of gases like hydrogen sulphide, indoles, skatoles and mercaptans. It only takes a small amount of these gases to create some really bad smelling flatulence.
Digestive enzymes, like this fast acting one I take, can help with protein digestion, but ideally consider having smaller portions of meat in your meals.
Good quality protein is very important for overall wellness and well being. But large servings of protein based foods, particularly from poor sources like overcooked or processed meats, are unlikely to be digested well.
Its worse than just wasting all that excess protein when you have a massive steak or huge burger. Too much protein puts a real strain on your whole digestive system and can lead to numerous problems.
Its also a major cause of those really smelly farts. So go easy on the meat. Quality over quantity makes for better digestive health and less issues with bloating and gas.
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Can Exercise Be A Cause Of Heartburn
Exercise can trigger heartburn. Sometimes thatâs due to increased pressure on the abdomen, which can increase the risk of acid reflux. In one study looking at different types of exercise, weightlifters had the most heartburn and acid reflux. Runners had milder symptoms and less reflux than weightlifters. Cyclists had the least reflux.
What Can You Drink To Relieve Heartburn
You might try ginger tea, which can ease irritation in the stomach. Skim or low-fat milk can help to neutralize stomach acid, but avoid whole milk, since the fat can increase acid reflux. A cup of water with a small amount of lemon juice and honey may also help to neutralize stomach acid.
Heartburn Doctor Discussion Guide
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Can Eating Too Fast Cause Acid Reflux
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Causes & Risk Factors
Dysphagia can happen at any age, but it is more common in older people. Many different things can cause dysphagia:
- Poor eating habits. Eating too fast or taking large bites can cause dysphagia. So can eating while lying down or not drinking enough water while eating. You may also experience dysphagia if you cant chew properly because of painful or missing teeth or dentures.
- Nerve and muscle disorders. People who have had a stroke, or people who have Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, or myasthenia gravis may have problems swallowing. These disorders can stop the nerves and muscles in your esophagus from working right. The esophagus is the tube that runs from your mouth and throat down to your stomach. This can cause food to move slowly or even get stuck in the esophagus.
- Problems with the esophagus itself. For example, conditions like acid refluxcan damage the esophagus and cause scar tissue to form. The scar tissue may narrow the opening of the esophagus and may result in dysphagia.
- Other disorders. Certain cancers, an enlarged thyroid, or an enlarged heart may put pressure on the esophagus and cause dysphagia.
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Steer Clear Of Spicy Foods
Foods with a fiery, spicy flavor may add some kick to your diet, but you’ll feel that kick burning in your chest again when heartburn happens. Spicy dishes containing a variety of chile peppers and related ingredients like cayenne pepper are well-known heartburn triggers, though some people can tolerate them. Consider dialing down the level of spices in your home-cooked meals and, when eating out, always ask about any spices included in dishes youre ordering.
Sodas And Carbonated Beverages
Sodas and carbonated beverages are also common culprits of heartburn.
Research suggests that these beverages may relax the esophageal sphincter and increase the acidity of stomach acid two risk factors for heartburn .
In one study, scientists observed the sleeping patterns of more than 15,000 people, finding that approximately 25% experienced nighttime heartburn.
After further investigation, the researchers found that nighttime heartburn was strongly linked to several factors, including drinking carbonated soft drinks .
Another study found that people who consumed carbonated beverages had a 69% higher risk of developing reflux symptoms like heartburn .
Summary Sodas and other carbonated beverages may cause heartburn by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter. If sodas or other carbonated beverages give you heartburn, consider cutting back or avoiding them completely.
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How Can You Prevent Heartburn During Pregnancy
Start with lifestyle changes like eating six smaller meals rather than three large meals, avoiding fried and spicy foods, eating slowly, and sleeping with your head and shoulders elevated. Check with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter heartburn medication. Antacids might have high sodium, causing you to retain water, or they may contain aluminum, which isn’t safe during pregnancy.
Foods That May Trigger Heartburn
Although the actual cause of heartburn is physical, people generally view their heartburn triggers as the root cause. Though scientifically thats not the case, its still worth noting which behaviors can trigger the experience of heartburn. Food, for instance, is a common heartburn trigger.2
Check out this list of common offenders to see if any could be triggering your heartburn:
- Tomatoes, tomato sauce, and ketchup
- Oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits and juices
- Garlic
- Coffee, tea, or other caffeinated products
- Alcohol
- Exercising soon after eating5
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How A Doctor Can Help
If you have heartburn two or more times a week and changes to your diet or eating pattern haven’t helped, consult a doctor. A gastroenterologist can perform tests to measure the acidity in your stomach and see if frequent acid reflux has damaged your esophagus.
GERD is often treatable through a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. But persistent symptoms of reflux need thorough evaluation by a gastroenterologist who can find the underlying cause and discuss available treatment options.
The Johns Hopkins Heartburn Center
GERD is an ongoing condition that often requires more attention than over-the-counter treatments can offer. The Heartburn Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine provides personalized care to help patients find relief.
Disconnection From Hunger And Fullness Signals
If eating fast dulls your body’s natural satiety signals, you risk falling out of touch with your natural hunger and fullness signals.
“Eating quickly reduces the accuracy of how our brain stores memories of what we’ve consumed,” says Fear, author of Lean Habits for Lifelong Weight Loss. “This memory-retrieval is part of determining how much we eat at our next meal. So speed-eating at lunch can lead to eating more at dinner.”
Over time, you might start to forget what the sensations of hunger or fullness actually feel like and end up relying on your emotions to tell you when to eat.
Did you know that keeping a food diary is one of the most effective ways to manage your weight? to easily track calories, stay focused and achieve your goals!
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Your Morning Cup Of Joe
Yes, you might want to put down that cup of coffee or dark chocolate bar. Caffeinated food and beverages can increase the acidity of gastric secretions. In order to decrease the acidity of these secretions, it is best to minimize the amount of caffeine in your diet, she says.
Caffeine may relax the lower esophageal sphincter, triggering acid reflux or making it worse. However, a lot of it depends on the person and how sensitive they are to caffeine and acidic foods, she says. Certain foods may trigger reflux in one person and not in another. It really comes down to the individual many times, she explains.
Beyond caffeinated foods and drinks, like coffee, dark chocolate, certain protein bars, and energy drinks, acidic foods include citric juices, tomatoes, and soda, all of which can cause pain in someone when the esophagus is already inflamed, she says.
Yet not all studies agree or have found the same results when it comes to caffeine and acidic foods in relation to worsening acid reflux, so its best to go by how your body reacts. If it makes it worse, ditch it.