Studies show that people with RA (rheumatoid arthritis), are more likely to have stomach problems than the general population.
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract has an upper and lower section, and RA can affect either one. Research shows that people with RA are about 70% more likely to develop a gastrointestinal problem than people without RA.
For the last few years, I have had so much trouble with heartburn. Last week I was sharing a personal pizza with my husband Mark. This pizza is so tiny but two hours later I had heartburn. What a bummer! That is my favorite food.
Ok, pizza is understandable, and some make it spicier than others. I like cheese pizza, but if I get pepperoni, I will definitely get heartburn.
Yesterday we had a traditional Christmas meal of turkey and all the trimmings. The only thing I liked was the stuffing, and it was definitely not spicy. Sure enough, it gave me heartburn.
It could be genetic. My dad had heartburn, especially when my mom made meatloaf. He always had a roll of Tums™ on hand at all times.
According to the Mayo Clinic, heartburn symptoms may include:
- Burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and may occur at night
- Pain that worsens when lying down or bending over
- A bitter or acidic taste in the mouth
I also notice that I have upper abdominal pain, so I keep a good supply of Pepto-Bismol on hand. I am on prescription medication now, but it is not always as effective as I would like:
Medication certainly has its place, but I prefer to try natural methods first:
Reduce Heartburn the Natural Way:
Keep a Food Diary
Honestly, this is a real pain in the neck, since you record every bite of food you put in your mouth. However, you are looking for certain patterns. What time of day do you notice symptoms, or are there common ingredients that always cause heartburn?
Schedule Your Meals and Use Portion Control
Making a point to limit your food portions and schedule your meals appropriately can also make a world of difference. You may find that instances only happen when a certain food, drink, or combination is consumed at certain times of the day, or more likely, at night.
Generally, you would want to avoid spicy, acidic foods, as well as those that are very high in fat. Everyone is different and may have different trigger foods.
Try an Elimination Diet
An elimination diet can be an excellent diagnostic tool.
Remove all instances of trigger foods from your diet for at least two weeks and monitor your incidences of heartburn. Keep testing foods and food types until you find the culprits.
Greasy foods should be the first to go but you may need to eliminate foods like citrus fruits, chocolates, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, carbonated beverages, and tomato products.
Practice Lifestyle Changes
Diet may not be the only thing causing heartburn. Other heartburn triggers may require lifestyle changes, such as smoking, taking certain pills (for example, ibuprofen), and suffering from high-stress levels.
Stand Or Walk Right After a Meal
If a diet change isn’t for you, there are other effective home remedies you can try. Avoiding lying down for an hour or so after you eat can be very effective in preventing heartburn.
Standing or walking right after eating can be very helpful in allowing the gastric juices to flow down in the normal direction, and avoiding any reflux action.
Finish Eating at Least Two Hours Before Bedtime
Ideally, you should have a meal at least two to five hours before sleeping, which will provide you with sufficient time to clear some stomach content before bedtime.
If eating close to bed is unavoidable, or you still suffer symptoms while trying to sleep, try to prop your head up to sleep with both your head and chest elevated. Sleeping on an incline will prevent stomach acids from flowing into your esophagus as you try to sleep.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
The same excesses that lead to unwanted weight gain are most often the same ones that cause heartburn. A disadvantage of being overweight is that excess fats in the body can trigger the release of certain chemicals that may interfere with proper digestive functioning.
Research has proven that losing weight can significantly reduce the symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux. Maintaining a healthy weight can do wonders to prevent heartburn symptoms. Eating smaller meals and choosing healthy, nutrient-balanced meals will repair both issues concurrently.
If you have put on weight, try wearing clothes that are loose around the waist and stomach, as clothes that fit too tightly in those areas can also contribute to increased heartburn discomfort.
Final Thoughts
Try these tips and see what works for you. Monitor what you are eating, and don’t forget that lifestyle changes can also make a big difference.
