If you have chronic heartburn, you probably already look at food a little differently. Suffering from acid reflux or heartburn can be excruciating and even scary at sometimes. Some people who suffer from heartburn might even feel as though they have actual heart issues. While reflux might be the main cause, it's always best to seek the help of cardiology specialists in Suffolk County, NY if you think there is another problem that could be the cause.
However, if you find that the heartburn doesn’t seem to stop, check out these three foods you should avoid during heartburn and flare-ups.
Sugars
While you might think that sugar can’t hurt you, it can actually be more painful than you originally thought. Many products that contain a lot of sugar can cause your stomach to produce more acid. Sugary foods can cause instant heartburn. If you're currently suffering from heartburn, stay away from foods with sugar. Most people don’t know that even natural sugars can cause heartburn to worsen. Therefore, you should do your best to stay away from sugary fruits like oranges, pineapple, and peaches.
Acids
Foods that have a lot of acids can interact with your stomach differently than foods that don’t contain a lot of acid. While acidic food may make you a happy person, it's best to stay away from them when you have heartburn. Acidic food and any food that contains a lot of vinegar is going to escalate your heartburn symptoms, and it can cause you a lot of pain. That means that most salad dressings, vinegars, and barbecue sauces are great foods to avoid, because they are full of vinegar and other acidic ingredients. Just like with sugars, you want to stay away from foods that naturally have a lot of acid. This includes citric acid, so try to avoid eating oranges (again), limes, lemons, and most berries during a heartburn flare-up.
Alcohol
Most alcohols contain a lot of sugar and acid, and they can cause a lot of problems when it comes to your stomach, esophagus, and other organs. If you suffer from chronic ulcers, alcohol can make your heartburn symptoms even worse, because it causes your stomach to produce more acid. This can lead to a lot of other complications down the road (especially if your heartburns are caused by ulcers).
While there can be a lot of underlying causes for chronic heartburn, avoiding foods that are high in sugar, acid, or alcohol can actually help you combat the pain. Additionally, you should never hesitate to contact cardiology specialists in Suffolk County, NY, if you believe your heartburn is caused by something more serious. Contact the medical experts at Peconic Bay Medical Center to discuss heartburn symptoms and ways to avoid flare-ups.