Holiday party time

I was at a party last week. It was great, got caught up with people I hadn’t seen in a while. Food was good too. Of course at these holiday bashes there is everything and more. Once you get through sampling it all, your stomach can feel like it’s on spin cycle. The head too. I was doing OK but there was one dish there, which I found out later, was sausage homemade from a ram shot in the mountains of West Virginia - spicy but very good. That may have been what put me over the top. Thank you, Tums. Looking back, well, the word moderation comes to mind. If your OK with a hangover and heartburn playing a double header then you can tune this out. But for me, a day or even a half day of being on the injured reserved list is no good.

Eat, drink and be merry

Holiday parties are great. Get hooked up with old acquaintances, meet new people, lots of fun finger food.
But once home there’s no sleep until you break out the Tums. Especially at this time of year there are certain triggers in our lifestyles and eating habits that cause heartburn. The triggers vary from person to person, and from lifestyles and dietary habits. However there are some common factors.

Eating foods such as citrus fruits and drinks, chocolate, peppermint, tomatoes or tomato-based products and fatty or spicy foods. Drinking beverages such as coffee, tea, and sodas that have caffeine substances in them. Also drinking carbonated fizzy drinks and alcoholic beverages can lead to discomfort.

Lots of people are affected with heartburn. If there are times when you experience a burning and painful discomfort just behind the breastbone you are one of them. Heartburn doesn’t have anything to do with your heart but it‘s a pretty apt term. Rather heartburn is what occurs when digested food juices go back into the esophagus. If over indulgence is forcing you to pay the piper rather a good night’s sleep, an antacid will probably do the trick. But don’t put it off, if the problem is reoccurring it’s time give serious thought to a solution.

Thanksgiving heartburn

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and it’s off to grandma’s house we go. A family gathering with lots of catching up to do. And of course that wonderful meal with all the traditional dishes and probably a few that are special family favorites. Afterwards there are those who do the walk-it-off and those who want a nap.

For those who reach for the antacids, here are a few thoughts that might be helpful. If heartburn is a familiar visitor, you probably have a plan for relief. For the rest there are several ways to improve the situation.

For mild forms of acid reflux you can get by with antacids like Tums. There are stronger forms of antacids like Mylanta II, Maalox II and Riopan, if necessary. The liquid forms of antacid are more preferred by a greater number of people than the tablet variety. Whatever type of antacid that you take, they need to accompany meals and before going to bed.

Healthy living is getting a big liftoff these days. With a few clicks you will be able to find a list of bad foods. Of course it’s easy to guess - the ones you like the most. Some folks keep a diary as a way of to find finding out exactly which foods they should stay away from. Record keeping could show that it’s not necessary to give up all your favorites. Heartburn is not is not something to ignore. Anytime your are in pain, it is because your body is trying to get your attention.

Here are a few general guidelines: Lessening coffee, alcohol, and tobacco products. Elimination of these entirely is even better. Smaller meals eaten at regular intervals. Meals that include too much citric acids, or fatty, and fried foods, cheeses, milks, and tomatoes are also best avoided. Do not recline or go to sleep on a full stomach.

If you have heartburn, and you have attacks more than twice a week - this could be the beginning of something more serious. The first thing a doctor will tell you when you show up in pain is to examine your lifestyle and dietary habits, the solution could be right there, on the table.