How to Avoid Heartburn

How to Avoid Heartburn Dr. Travis Stork: So, I’ll give a little demonstration, Lisa will you -- will you pour some water in here for me, envision this as someone drinking, let’s say orange juice. Dr. Drew Ordon: Which is acidic, which would irritate -- Dr. Travis Stork: This is the esophagus, and this is your stomach. What happens when you get heartburn is reflux. The fluids in your stomach go up in your esophagus -- Dr. Jim Sears: That’s acidic. Dr. Travis Stork: And it causes a burning sensation, and it feels sometimes like heart attack. Dr. Lisa Masterson: Right. Dr. Travis Stork: So what can we do to avoid this Drew. Dr. Drew Ordon: Well, there are certain food that you -- you have to get to know your body what fluids irritate your esophagus, a couple of big offenders, good stuff unfortunately -- coffee, tea, and chocolate are known sources. Dr. Jim Sears: Chocolate does that to me. Yeah. But the other are things -- fried foods, tomato based stuff, tomato sauce, the pizza sauce, even citrus. Dr. Lisa Masterson: Right, but then -- Dr. Jim Sears: So you know, that’s why citrus -- yeah, highly acidic fruits. Dr. Lisa Masterson: And then there’s things that you want to completely stay away from like the tobacco. Dr. Travis Stork: One last piece of advice, stay away from large meals and don’t eat right before bed. That will worsen your GERD symptoms.