It’s easy to blame the occasional burning sensation we know as heartburn on nothing more than the bad decision of choosing pizza over leafy greens. But what happens when the burning discomfort behind your chest starts happening on a weekly basis?
According to the American Gastroenterological Association, roughly one-third of the population suffers from gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. A chronic condition that wreaks havoc on the digestive system, GERD has the ability to also wreak havoc on your personal and professional life in the process.
The longest-running cast member recently revealed to People magazine that he began noticing symptoms more than two years ago.
“I noticed that I would get hoarse a lot easier when I’m doing the show,” Thompson told People in an April 4 interview. “Losing my voice quicker, but also uncomfortable sleepless nights because I’m burping up acid, just kind of hiccupping all night. And that can definitely add more stress to an already stressful kind of environment doing a live show like that.”
As the added stress from his symptoms and work-life balance began to pile up, he knew it was time to ask for help.
“I don’t know if I was necessarily embarrassed to talk to a doctor – I just didn’t know if I needed to,” he admitted to People.
After seeking help for what he would later discover was GERD, lifestyle changes and medicine have allowed him to reclaim his quality of life.
“God bless, I feel great. I’m in a much healthier kind of space with my daily lifestyle and meal decision-making and all of that good stuff. I’m in a good place.”
Does GERD Cause Coughing? Unraveling the Symptoms of Severe Reflux Disease
It can be easy to shrug off symptoms of GERD. With heartburn as the primary symptom, the severity of the disease can easily be attributed to a bad meal decision and, in Thompson’s case, not recognizing that you need to see a doctor.
While heartburn is the primary symptom of GERD, other symptoms may follow, such as:
Difficulty swallowing
Coughing
Sore throat
Increased salivation
Shortness of breath
Backwash of food or sour liquid in the throat
Chest pain
Laryngitis
New or worsening asthma
If you begin to experience symptoms of GERD, schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist near you as soon as possible.
Foods to Avoid with GERD (And Other Lifestyle Changes That Can Help)!
The fundamentals of GERD come down to the buildup of acid in the stomach that moves up into the esophagus. To help ease the disease’s effects, there are some easy lifestyle and diet changes to help find relief almost immediately.
Foods to Avoid with GERD
When establishing a positive GERD diet, the foods we love – typically those high in fat, salt, and spice – are, unfortunately, the ones we have to say goodbye to.
Here are some of the foods to avoid if you are suffering from GERD:
Fried food
Pizza
Potato chips and other processed snacks
Chili powder and pepper
Fatty meats
Cheese
Fast food
Other foods that may cause more harm than good to your symptoms include tomato-based sauces, citrus fruits, chocolate, and carbonated beverages.
Lifestyle Habits to Adopt with GERD
Changes to our everyday lives are not always the easiest, but it is necessary to help find relief from GERD symptoms. Here are some changes our GI clinic recommends to help alleviate the effects of acid reflux disease:
Avoid smoking and being around secondhand smoke
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid wearing tight clothing, specifically around your middle
Eat smaller meals throughout the day
Try to move around after you eat
Keep a food diary to help pinpoint potential trigger foods or snacks
Don’t Suffer in Silence with Reflux Disease – Visit Charleston GI Today
At Charleston GI, our team of gastroenterology specialists does not believe you should suffer in silence – we believe you should trust your gut!
GERD can be debilitating to your health and decrease your quality of life, making social events and work schedules difficult to maintain – but our team is here to help!
Schedule an appointment with a GI doctor in Charleston, SC, today, and start finding relief for your reflux! Visit one of four convenient Charleston area locations in West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and Carnes Crossroads. Just pick the GI clinic that works best for you!
