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Family gatherings, festive parties, rich foods and cocktails complement the holiday season, but they also spur heartburn and other digestive upsets. These disturbances don’t have to disrupt your celebrations. By taking a proactive approach, you can enjoy every minute of the holiday season.
The National Heartburn Alliance (NHBA) recently conducted a survey that revealed heartburn is more prevalent around the holidays. Sixty-six percent of African Americans would enjoy the holidays more if they didn’t have to worry about heartburn, which is often experienced as a burning discomfort in the mid-chest, right behind the breastbone. Of those who would enjoy the holidays more without this discomfort, 63 percent said overindulging in food and alcoholic beverages were the activities most likely to bring on their symptoms. From heartburn, gas and bloating to diarrhea and constipation, there are several options available to choose from to prevent or to treat heightened symptoms.
Lifestyle Modifications
Registered dietitian and NHBA Board member Pat Baird recommends people prepare their stomachs for the season. “By incorporating simple lifestyle changes into your diet, sufferers who experience digestive issues can learn to prevent symptoms and enjoy the holidays more,” says Baird.
If you’re among those who suffer from heartburn, you can begin with these lifestyle modifications:
Don’t overindulge. Allow yourself to eat your favorite holiday foods, but keep in mind too much of a good thing can lead to heartburn.
Avoid heartburn triggers. Alcohol, tobacco, foods with high fat content, chocolate and caffeine are just a few common heartburn triggers.
Keep your cool. tress levels tend to increase during the holidays. Relax by taking a few moments for yourself each day. Consider holiday “chores” (such as wrapping gifts and decorating) as extra time for exercise and quiet moments.
Over-the-Counter Remedies If you experience frequent heartburn, which occurs two to three times or more per week, an over-the-counter (OTC) medication may offer relief. When browsing the relief aisle at any drugstore, you know that finding the right heartburn medication might be tricky. Frequent heartburn can be treated with an over-the-counter proton pump inhibitor, such as Prilosec OTC, which works for 24 hours with just one pill a day.
Tis the season
Because life happens despite the best-laid plans, keep yourself hydrated (i.e., water, coconut water), consume liquids to rest the digestive system and avoid known gastric irritants. What’s the best way to deal with a bad day? End it. Go to bed as early as possible.
