For many, Thanksgiving not only means giving thanks, but it also means a big dinner and football.
So, let''s say you''ve polished off three helpings of turkey and dressing and you''re lying on the couch to catch the second half of the Bears/Cowboys game. That heartburn you feel could be more serious than you think.
It could be GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Gastroesophageal reflux describes a backflow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. Almost everyone experiences this intense feeling now and then. The usual symptom is heartburn, an uncomfortable burning sensation behind the breastbone, most commonly occurring after a big meal. However, when this occurs often, for example twice or more per wqeek,, you probably have GERD.
Ray Clouse, MD, Washington University gastroenterologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, says that while many holiday activities can create a "perfect storm" for GERD sufferers, it''s a treatable problem.
"The simplest treatment for GERD revolves around some degree of lifestyle modification," says Dr. Clouse. "The key is reducing these pro-GERD factors: keep meals from being too large, don''t eat too much at a single setting, and be careful not to overeat just before lying down, and also avoid particularly high fat meals, which is another problem during the holidays."
GERD is very common. Approximately 10 percent of people have symptoms on a daily basis, and according to Dr. Clouse, overindulging at Thanksgiving dinner doesn''t help matters.
"Unfortunately many of the good things in life lower pressure in the sphincter valve at the bottom of the esophagus that actually helps us prevent having reflux symptoms," says Dr. Clouse. "These things include alcohol, cigarettes, chocolate, mints – many of the things that people may overindulge in over the holidays can worsen the GERD symptoms. We don''t necessarily tell people to stop all these things, but you should be careful and use any of these things in moderation."
The two major symptoms of GERD are:
Other symptoms include chest pain, difficulty swallowing, couch, hoarseness, sore throat, and a variety of other symptoms. Most of these require careful evaluation by a doctor to be certain they are caused by GERD and not other disorders.
And while those are all uncomfortable problems, Dr. Clouse says hope is not lost for GERD sufferers. "It''s the kind of disorder that can be managed well with medications in the vast majority of patients. Surgical operations and endoscopic treatments also are available that are very effective as alternatives to medications for some patients," says Dr. Clouse.
He adds GERD tends to be a chronic problem and says people should meet with their doctor if they have had regular symptoms for any period of time.