Lifestyle Factors Causing Heartburn in Women Over 50

heartburn

Warmer weather is here which means backyard BBQs, campfire cookouts, and picnics. If you suffer from frequent heartburn, food-based get-togethers may not be your cup of tea. Before you turn down your invite or spend even more money on having antacids handy, it’s important to note it might not be all the food’s fault…

LivingBetter50 dives into heartburn and what lifestyle factors could be causing it to flare up more frequently. It’s important to understand the root causes rather than letting the problem go untreated.

Heartburn is the inappropriate movement of your stomach acid up into your esophagus. Your stomach is a “bag of acid” and needs to be so highly acidic in order for you to properly digest your food. If your stomach spasms, it can result in its contents (acid) shooting up into your esophagus. It can also be called GERD or reflux. Long-term exposure to acid can inflame your esophagus, leading to ulcers and even cancer. Antacids are dangerous in their own right as they have long-term consequences on your digestion, immune system, and bone health. It is critical to fully resolve the root cause of heartburn.

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So, what are some common causes of heartburn to look out for?

Obesity

Being overweight often is associated with an enlarged abdomen and weak abdominal muscles. Good core strength is important to balance the muscles involved in proper digestion. Interestingly, your core muscles are very involved in the proper function and tone of your diaphragm which sits just above your stomach and is a causative factor in heartburn when it is malfunctioning.

Smoking

Smoking can relax the sphincter in your esophagus that, by design, prevents food from moving from your stomach into your esophagus. The integrity of this sphincter can be compromised by smoking.

High-fat diet

Excessive “bad” fats put stress on the liver, gall bladder, and stomach. Such irritation can cause heartburn and the presence of inhospitable organisms in your gut. Try incorporating some lower-fat foods into your diet.

Stress

High, chronic stress puts you into a state of fight or flight, a nervous system response that is incompatible with proper digestion. Good digestion relies on the nervous system being in balance. The sympathetic and parasympathetic need to be working at full capacity, not just the “fight or flight response of the sympathetic nervous system.

Insomnia

Insomnia is often the result of heartburn because the irritation created by acid reflux tends to occur more often at night when you are lying down. If you are prone to heartburn try eating foods to reduce this, especially before bed, so you can get a better night’s sleep.

Too much caffeine

Excess caffeine can cause heartburn in some individuals. Caffeine can relax the sphincter in the lower esophagus that helps prevent food from moving in the wrong direction. If you are someone who’s sphincter relaxes due to caffeine, you will suffer from more acid reflux.

So how can we avoid and treat heartburn?

LivingBetter50’s top 3 tips and tricks for avoiding and alleviating heartburn naturally.

Eat slowly and chew your food well

Over-filling your stomach can cause it to spasm and move upwards, resulting in heartburn. Try eating more slowly and take more time to chew your food.

Do not lie down after eating

While it may be tempting, stay upright allowing gravity to assist digestion. Remember your digestive tract moves from the top down. If you lie down or hunch over it can interfere with the efficient movement of food from your stomach to your small intestine.

Exercise is best done on an empty stomach

Wait at least 30 to 60 minutes, or until you no longer have any sensation of being full, before beginning exercise. Note: this does not include an easy stroll after a meal. Gentle movement like walking after eating actually assists digestion.

LivingBetter50 is a magazine for women over 50, offering an over 50 magazine free download for women with spirit!

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Lifestyle Factors Causing Heartburn in Women Over 50
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