Top Benefits of Drinking Tea When You Suffer from Acid Reflux

Living with acid reflux can feel like an endless fight against discomfort. By making dietary and lifestyle choices, GERD and reflux sufferers can improve their symptoms and make each day more comfortable. 

One of the ways to soothe acid reflux at home is by drinking tea. Before buying a cartful of tea boxes from your local grocery store, know which ones are beneficial for reflux symptoms, and which teas could make it worse. 

So, what are the best teas for acid reflux? Ginger, tulsi (holy basil), and chamomile are the top three teas for relieving acid reflux. Adding honey to your tea time should also improve their reflux-friendly properties. 

Does Tea Make Acid Reflux Worse?

Acid reflux can make mealtimes inconvenient. Patients often find themselves restricting their diet in order to alleviate GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or acid reflux symptoms.

Learn more: What Is the Best Breakfast for Acid Reflux Sufferers? 

Coffees and carbonated beverages are not advised for acid reflux because both products can further aggravate the stomach. If so, is it true that teas are the only non-water option of acid reflux sufferers?

Herbal teas may be useful in soothing stomach problems, aiding with inflammation, and improving digestion, but not all teas are beneficial to GERD patients. Certain herbal teas can actually worsen reflux symptoms because of their high acid content.

Even though it’s lower than coffee and fruit juices, the acid level found in some teas could still irritate the stomach lining and worsen stomach reflux episodes. 

Bad Teas For Acid Reflux

Listed below are some of the teas that should be avoided by reflux sufferers:

• Fruit infused teas: A pot of lemon or orange infused tea might be perfect for cold winter nights, but it certainly doesn’t help reflux sufferers. The acidity content of lemon and orange could change the pH level of your tea (more so if you combine it with more acidic types of tea) and aggravate symptoms. Just like fruit juices, we would recommend staying away from fruit infused teas until your symptoms have improved. 
• Mint: Whether it’s peppermint or spearmint, mint teas have developed a reputation for worsening reflux episodes. Mint teas are associated with relaxing the stomach and improving cramping. As such, it could also cause the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax, leading to acid reflux. 
• Teas with high caffeine content: Coffee isn’t the only breakfast drink with a high caffeine content. Black and oolong teas have about 60 to 90 mg and 50 to 75 mg of caffeine per 8 ounce cup, respectively. Definitely stay away from more caffeinated teas and choose milder versions. Otherwise, you can steep it for a shorter amount of time or simply add milk or water to dilute the tea. 

Tea And Acid Reflux: Does It Help?

Some teas can make acid reflux worse. That’s not to say that drinking tea can’t help soothe acid reflux at all. Just like there are bad teas for acid reflux, there are also teas beneficial to soothing symptoms. 

Specific teas are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and inflammation properties that could improve acid reflux episodes. It’s only a matter of knowing how certain ingredients affect the digestive system, and how these can be incorporated in a patient’s everyday diet. 

Best Tea For Acid Reflux

Is ginger good for acid reflux?

Ginger is one of the best home remedies for acid reflux. It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory that can help relieve gastroesophageal irritation from exposure to acids and soothe the stomach in general. 

Ginger tea can also relieve nausea, which can greatly aid patients who are prone to vomiting during reflux episodes. Other benefits include improved blood circulation and stress-relief. 

Among the many antioxidants it contains are phenolic compounds, which are associated with improved LES contractions. As a result, drinking ginger tea could prevent the backflow of acid altogether. It can also prove beneficial to patients who experience stomach cramps due to acid build-up. 

To make ginger tea, peel some ginger, and cut it into small pieces. You can boil the ginger directly in a pot or pour it and steep it for 15 minutes. Drink a cup of ginger tea after every meal to improve reflux symptoms. Leftover ginger from steeping can be reused for another time. 

Is tulsi tea good for acid reflux?

Tulsi tea is brewed using a basil herb species. Its scientific name is Ocimum sanctum and is commercially known as holy basil. Unlike basil used in foods, holy basil is commonly treated as a multi-beneficial Indian herb used to treat anything from nausea to bronchitis. 

Tulsi tea can be made by steeping the leaves and flowers of the plant for 5 to 6 minutes. Although it can be added to food, we recommend taking it as a tea in order to get its full potency. Note that holy basil can be bitter and spicy, and is unlike other basil types. 

Tulsi tea targets digestive problems, specifically those relating to acid reflux. It can decrease stomach acid production, increase the duration of mucus secretion, and extend the life of mucus cells — all mechanics which are useful for GERD and reflux sufferers. 

As an herb, it has great anti-stress and anti-inflammation properties. Holy basil is believed to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, and has been used to treat mouth ulcers and other wounds.  

Is chamomile tea good for acid reflux?

Chamomile tea is just as effective as a sleeping aid as it is a GERD home remedy. This type of tea is produced by steeping the flowers of plants in the Asteraceae plant family. Although no scientific evidence explains how chamomile works to soothe stomach pains, anecdotal evidence suggests that the tea is great for helping aches, cramps, and acid reflux. 

Like ginger, chamomile also has anti-inflammatory properties. This natural ingredient can aid in digestive problems and is commonly prescribed to patients with diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. As such, it’s also another great tea to add to a reflux patient’s diet. 

Chamomile tea is also said to be useful in lowering gastric acidity, which is exactly what reflux patients need. It combats hyperacidity by relaxing stomach activity, preventing the stomach from producing too much acid, which produces the reflux symptoms. 

This tea is also particularly useful in lowering stress and encouraging sleep – both of which are crucial in managing reflux symptoms. As a drink, chamomile tea is pleasant and can be enjoyed throughout the day, with the exception of patients who are allergic to the drink. 

Is honey good for GERD?

Honey is the choice sweetener for teas. It’s a great way to dilute stronger teas and add another depth of flavor to your favorite drink. Commonly used as a home remedy for sore throats and colds, it turns out honey is also good for GERD sufferers. 

Although excess sugar and sweeteners are typically not recommended in a reflux diet, honey has natural medicinal properties that could help soothe the condition. Its ability to help during sore throats translates well into reflux episodes. When mixed in with a drink, honey can help soothe the esophagus from excessive acid exposure. 

This ingredient is packed with antioxidants that will help prevent diseases. Raw, unpasteurized honey also has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Raw manuka honey is known to kill bacteria and fungus, and is considered a viable natural antiseptic by many cultures. 

Its thick consistency also serves as a temporary protective barrier for the esophagus. It can coat the esophagus and provide some relief, while allowing its healing properties to soothe acid damage. 

To get the benefits of honey, mix one teaspoon with a glass of warm water or add it to a glass of warm milk. Be careful not to add too much honey to your diet since this can irritate your throat if taken excessively. 

How Do You Relieve Acid Reflux

Drinking a cup of tea isn’t enough to alleviate acid reflux. To see changes, consider the following treatments:

• Consider taking proton pump inhibitors
• Exercise at least three times a week
• Lose weight 
• Eat dinner at an earlier time 
• Take antacids before meals 
• Regulate fats (oil, dairy, sugar) in your diet
• Stay away from coffee, juices, and certain teas 

Improve Your Reflux Symptoms 

Don’t let GERD define your life. At Gastro Center NJ, we believe that patients can still manage to live full and happy lives, even with GERD. It is our mission to help you navigate around your symptoms and find a routine that will suit your lifestyle. 

Contact us today to learn more about GERD and managing symptoms. Book an appointment through our website today. 

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What Is the Best Sleeping Position If I Have Acid Reflux?

Sleeping with acid reflux can be downright impossible. Waking up in the middle of the night, choking on acid, and coughing violently are all symptoms of nighttime reflux. 

At times it can feel like you’ll never get a good sleep. However, some research suggests that your sleeping position could in fact influence your nighttime reflux. 

So, what is the best sleep position for acid reflux patients? Studies show that sleeping on your left side is better for acid reflux, whereas right-side sleeping is associated with longer esophageal acid exposure and high incidence of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.

In this article, we discuss the science behind acid reflux and sleep, as well as the key tips to sleeping with your upper body elevated. 

Can Sleeping Positions Affect Acid Reflux?

Sufferers of acid reflux know how difficult it can be to try and get a good night’s sleep. Eating a high-fat diet, engaging in exercise before falling asleep, and being exposed to high levels of stress can result in wakefulness throughout the night. But it’s not just these things that could exacerbate reflux symptoms during bedtime.

What position you sleep in at night can also affect your reflux symptoms, studies suggest. As a patient, have you ever noticed that some nights tend to be better than others? That’s because some sleeping positions worsen acid reflux symptoms. 

Lying Down VS Sitting Up

When a person with acid reflux is lying down, the stomach contents don’t go down the stomach. In fact, it’s more likely for the stomach contents to travel back up the esophagus, leading to acid reflux symptoms.

Compare that to sitting or standing where gravity pulls the stomach acids and digested food contents away from your esophagus. 

When in doubt, make sure your head is elevated to help your body keep stomach contents right where they belong. 

Common Complaints From Acid Reflux Patients

The onslaught of reflux symptoms while sleeping vary from one patient to another. The bottomline stands: it’s difficult to get a good night’s sleep if you’re experiencing acid reflux at night. 

Here are just some of the top complaints when it comes to sleeping with acid reflux:

1. Heartburn worse when lying on left side

Sleeping on your side tends to worsen your heartburn symptoms, but you also notice that sleeping on a specific side makes it even worse. It turns out what side you’re lying on can in fact affect how your symptoms flare-up. 

A substantial amount of studies found that reflux patients tend to get worse heartburn when they’re lying on their right side. Although it’s unclear what mechanisms cause this, scientists believe that sleeping on the right side tends to trigger symptoms longer than lying on the left. 

Another study showed that lying on your right side prolongs the esophagus’ exposure to the acid. Doctors believe that lying on your right side is more likely to induce relaxation of the LES (lower esophageal sphincter), which is the muscle responsible for keeping stomach contents in, and preventing acid reflux. 

The general consensus among doctors and patients alike is that lying on your left side is more beneficial for heartburn patients. But if you’re one of the uncommon cases where reflux strikes worse when you’re lying on your left, consider experimenting with different sleeping positions to figure out which one will help soothe your symptoms.

If you realize that your symptoms don’t get better even with different sleeping positions, consider making dietary and lifestyle modifications to reap long-term benefits. 

2. Waking up with heartburn in the middle of the night

Falling asleep soundly can be a feat for reflux patients. Nighttime heartburn is a common occurrence for reflux patients, so much so that 75% of reflux patients report experiencing heartburn at night at least once a week. 

Patients often report waking up choking, coughing, or feeling a strong acid sensation at the back of their throat. This is also accompanied by a sharp chest pain that could easily be mistaken for a heart attack. 

Although doctors have yet to understand what separates daytime and nighttime heartburn, a study revealed the possible indicators of nighttime heartburn, which include:

• High BMI
• Consumption of sodas and carbonated drinks
• Daytime sleepiness
• Use of benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety medicine)
• Hypertension
• Asthma
• Snoring 

Patients with nighttime heartburn tend to be treated differently than those who only experience symptoms in the daytime. This is because nighttime reflux sufferers often have more complex and aggressive symptoms compared to daytime patients. 

At night, patients with heartburn symptoms aren’t just experiencing empty symptoms; they’re also experiencing acid reflux. Nighttime reflux tends to have a “longer clearance time”, which means the acid stays longer in the esophagus before receding again. Because of this, doctors suggest more intensive therapy methods in order to protect the esophagus from prolonged acid contact. 

Chronic esophageal exposure to acid may eventually lead to esophagitis and respiratory complications. Part of the GERD diagnosis involves distinguishing between nighttime and daytime symptoms in order to provide the right treatment plan. 

If you notice that your reflux is more inconvenient at night, let your doctor know. An upper endoscopy might be recommended to you in order to understand whether you’re experiencing sleep apnea (disruptive snoring and breathing) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

3. Stomach acid coming out of nose while sleeping

When lying down, stomach acids can travel back up the esophagus and reach the sinuses. This can result in sinus infections, respiratory problems, and bad breath. 

Some patients also report stomach content coming out of their nose or mouth while sleeping. This symptom is observed in more severe cases of GERD and requires immediate medical intervention. When left untreated, this could expose your sinuses to the acid and bacteria in the regurgitated contents, leading to sinusitis. 

Taking antacids before falling asleep is a common remedy for GERD patients. If you don’t feel any relief after taking medication, your doctor might put you on PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) in order to reduce your stomach’s acid production. 

Stomach acids coming out of the nose is a severe type of symptom and would require more drastic measures in order to be alleviated. You might be asked to lose weight and change your eating habits for long-term relief. 

Does Lying On Stomach Help Reflux?

Finding a peaceful position to sleep in can be a tough one for acid reflux sufferers. Because lying down prevents gravity from doing its job keeping the food contents back down, patients feel anxious about falling asleep. Sleep deprivation becomes a problem among acid reflux sufferers in fear of choking or asphyxiation while asleep. 

Lying down alone can trigger acid reflux effects, but it gets worse with certain positions. Lying flat on your stomach produces the same result as lying on your back, if not worse. 

When you’re lying flat on the bed, your stomach and esophagus are on the same level, making it easy for stomach contents to find their way into the esophagus. When you’re standing up or sitting down, you’re allowing gravity to move these digested bits throughout the rest of your stomach. 

Lying on your stomach also tends to put pressure on your stomach. This alone could push the stomach contents to travel upwards and cause heartburn. 

The next time you want to lie on your stomach, make sure your head is elevated. Support your neck with a pillow and keep it a few inches higher than your stomach. Otherwise, you’re asking for a bad reflux episode.

What Side Do You Lie On For Acid Reflux?

Despite the general discomfort associated with acid reflux, sufferers aren’t entirely hopeless. Research shows that sleeping on the left side is the most beneficial position for sufferers. 

Compared to lying down on the right, which has been associated with higher instances of lower esophageal sphincter relaxations and longer esophageal acid exposure, lying on the left side is associated with an increase in sphincter pressure (making it less likely for the LES to malfunction and let in stomach contents) and higher esophageal pH (which neutralizes acid contents from the stomach). 

In order to optimize a patient’s sleeping, researchers underwent a study involving different sleeping positions. They found that patients who slept on the left side elevated experienced the less esophageal acid exposure in comparison to those sleeping on the right. 

Researchers also found that those sleeping on the left elevated position were able to spend more time sleeping in this position than others, making this not only a beneficial but viable sleeping position for reflux sufferers. 

At the end of the day, you should try whatever works best for your body. Some positions work well with patients, while others experience discomfort even after assuming a “good” sleep position. 

Why Does Acid Reflux Improve When Lying Down

Despite being a common gastrointestinal disorder, symptoms aren’t always shared among patients. The general consensus is that reflux gets worse after lying down, but it’s also possible to relieve your symptoms by doing so. 

If you’re a patient who feels relief after lying down, it’s possible that your reflux may be triggered by the following:

• You engaged in a stressful physical activity and lying down relaxes your body and your stomach
• You were emotionally stressed and lying down has physically relaxed  you
• You are in an elevated position, which helps keep the stomach contents from travelling back up the esophagus

As a result, your acid reflux symptoms are alleviated, not aggravated, by lying down. Knowing your triggers is the first step to living with GERD. 

Choking On Acid Reflux While Sleeping: What To Do

What Causes It 

If you’re suffering from chronic reflux, you might have awoken to coughing, vomiting, or general discomfort in your throat. 

When your stomach is regurgitating digested contents, the acid could linger in your throat and irritate the esophageal lining, which could trigger a cough. It’s also possible for acid to travel back up and reach the mouth, which causes choking. 

Patients who experience choking often report the following symptoms:

• Waking up in the middle of the night with a dry cough (cough without phlegm)
• Waking up nauseated and with the strong urge to vomit 
• Strong acid taste and smell after waking up 
• Sharp pain at the back of the throat 
• Difficulty breathing within the first few minutes of waking up

Can You Die From Acid Reflux Choking?

Sleep interruption is the worst thing that could happen to a patient suffering from acid reflux. Although inconvenient, there’s no need to worry about aspiration. Aspiration typically occurs as the result of inflammation or infection. 

Regurgitation on its own is not going to cause aspiration. Having a full stomach and vomiting afterwards are likelier causes of aspiration. Because the body operates on an automatic flight or fight instinct, patients will wake up during a reflux episode and cough as a response. Aspiration is uncommon in reflux patients because the body naturally wakes up and reacts to the presence of acid in the esophagus. 

Aspiration is more common in patients who have an impaired level of consciousness, such as when they’re sedated or drunk. 

Relieving Heartburn At Home: Tips For Better Sleep

1. Take Antacids

Take an antacid an hour before going to sleep to neutralize stomach acids. Note that not all antacids are accessible to pregnant women; avoid antacids with magnesium during your pregnancy. Tums, Maalox, and Rolaids are great antacid options for all patients. 

If you find that over-the-counter antacids don’t help with your nighttime reflux, ask your doctor for reflux prescriptions. Medicine such as proton pump inhibitors can block acid production altogether and allow your esophagus to heal in the process. 

2. Eat Your Last Meal Earlier

Eating meals too late at night is one of the main triggers of nighttime acid reflux. Some patients eat as early as 3 PM in order to prevent nighttime acid reflux. 

If you can’t avoid snacking at night, make sure to wait 1 to 2 hours before lying down to allow the food to travel through your digestive system. Taking a 30-minute walk would improve your chances of a good night’s sleep. 

3. Sleep with Extra Pillows

Sleeping on an inclined position on your left is the best position for acid reflux sufferers. Throw in a few pillows during bedtime to make yourself more comfortable. 

4. Wear Loose Clothing

Wearing tight pajamas can add pressure to your stomach, contributing to your acid reflux symptoms. Wear loose, comfy clothes before going to bed. 

5. Drink Ginger Tea

Ginger is a known home remedy to inflammation, and is also a great remedy for heartburn. Boil some ginger to make tea; this can help relieve nausea, allowing you to get a better quality of sleep. Skip the ginger ale though since it’s carbonated and will only make you more acidic. 

Get the Best Sleep of Your Life

Tired of not getting enough sleep? Living with GERD doesn’t have to be a nightmare. At Gastro Center NJ, we do everything we can to help make GERD a manageable part of your life.

Whether it’s sleeping on a foam memory pillow or prescribing a specific diet, we’re here to give you solutions that will improve your nighttime reflux, facilitating better sleep. 

Get in touch with us today to learn more about nighttime reflux and how the gastroenterologists of Gastro Center NJ can get you the best sleep of your life. 

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Rare Symptoms of Acid Reflux

Acid reflux may be a common gastrointestinal problem, but it turns out its symptoms are not always that common. From headaches to nerve pain, there are uncommon acid reflux symptoms that can cause alarm and panic to patients. 

So, what are rare acid reflux symptoms? Headaches, dizziness, asthma symptoms, and nerve pain are among those considered to be uncommon but safe acid reflux symptoms. On the other hand, fever and intense pain accompanied by left arm pain are just two examples of potential medical emergencies for reflux patients.

Read on to learn more about the lesser known acid reflux symptoms, and whether or not they pose a health risk.

Understanding Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a gastrointestinal condition involving the regurgitation of stomach contents back up the esophagus. Patients experience a host of symptoms including coughing, feeling of something being stuck in the throat, and difficulty swallowing. Patients also report feeling pain radiating in their chest or heartburn, which is another term used to describe acid reflux. 

Acid reflux occurs when a small muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) located below the esophagus malfunctions, allowing food, acid, and other stomach contents to travel back up from the stomach. 

What Triggers It?

Doctors are unable to identify the direct cause of acid reflux. However, these circumstances increase the risk of developing acid reflux:

• Pregnant women experience hormonal changes that can affect the LES, causing acid reflux. Pregnant women who have no history of acid reflux can suddenly experience symptoms due to the added pressure of the baby to the stomach 
• Constant exposure to acidic and fatty foods are known triggers of acid reflux. A diet composed mostly of citrusy foods and foods high in fat trigger acid production in the stomach, which can increase acidity levels and create discomfort 
• Eating habits such as eating large meals, lying down after a meal, and snacking close to bedtime are also triggers of acid reflux. These eating habits don’t allow proper digestion and can irritate the stomach, leading to regurgitation and heartburn 
• Bending and lifting heavy objects can also trigger episodic acid reflux. These actions put pressure on the stomach which could temporarily loosen the LES and allow bile to travel back up the mouth. Discomfort usually goes away once the patient resumes an upright position

Are There Rare Acid Reflux Symptoms? 

Although a common gastrointestinal condition, not all acid reflux symptoms are shared by patients. Some only experience heartburn and regurgitation, which are two distinct signs of acid reflux. Others may exhibit symptoms that stray from the usual list. 

Listed below are some of the usual concerns on uncommon acid reflux symptoms. Keep in mind that the majority of these are caused by chronic acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and may not be relevant to patients with temporary acid reflux.

If so, a separate issue not related to acid reflux may be the cause of the following symptoms:

Can Acid Reflux Cause Gas

On average, healthy individuals pass gas 13 to 21 times a day. This gas is expelled through the mouth (burping) or anus (flatulence). Gas accumulates in the digestive tract through eating (swallowing air) or bacterial fermentation. 

As digestive bacteria break down food, little pockets of air are created in the process. Because the bacteria in each human body is different, some people may be more tolerant of digesting certain food compared to other people. 

How Are Acid Reflux and Gas Related

Excessive gas and acid reflux may exist simultaneously. A patient experiencing excessive flatulence may also experience bloating from acid reflux. While acid reflux does not directly cause gas, doctors believe that the two may be interlinked. 

This is because certain conditions that trigger acid reflux can also trigger gassiness. Individuals who eat spicy and citrusy foods may increase their acidity levels while also triggering gassiness. Alleviating gassiness could coincidentally improve acid reflux symptoms because the circumstances that create these conditions tend to be similar. 

Can Acid Reflux Cause Dizziness

Dizziness and acid reflux are rarely associated with each other. However, personal accounts show that acid reflux, specifically GERD can also lead to dizziness in patients. This dizziness is often characterized as lightheadedness, weakness, and a temporarily blurry vision. 

Dizziness and Acid Reflux: Is There a Link?

While dizziness is not often listed as a common symptom of acid reflux, a study suggests that there is a link between peripheral vertigo (vertigo caused by ear problems) and acid reflux. 

Scientists suggest that patients who experience dizziness alongside their acid reflux may be due to gastric acids irritating the ear, which could lead to ear infections. 

The study reported that 77.6% of patients with peripheral vertigo were also diagnosed with acid reflux compared to 26% of patients without reflux symptoms. 

Although further studies are required to finalize the findings, the researchers suggest that reflux contents such as Hydrochloric acid and pepsin could get into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube and affect the ear directly. This can cause tinnitus or a perceived ringing of the ears. 

Another way acid reflux could cause dizziness is through bacterial infection. The bacteria Helicobacter pylori can travel further up the esophagus through reflux contents and reach the upper respiratory tract. This could cause scarred ear drum (tympanosclerosis), leading to dizziness. 

Acid Reflux and Headaches

While there are no studies showing that gastrointestinal disorders can lead to headaches, there are publications that illustrate how gastric problems, in particular acid reflux, can coincide with headaches. 

A study involving 43,782 patients studies the possible prevalence of headaches in patients with gastrointestinal problems. Compared to diarrhea and constipation, patients with acid reflux symptoms report higher prevalence of headaches. 

Another study involving 1,832 migraine patients were tested for heartburn and GERD symptoms. Of the group, 22% reported GERD diagnosis, 11.6% reported heartburn, and another 15.8% reported previously undiagnosed reflux symptoms. 

These studies show that patients with acid reflux problems also tend to experience headaches, although there are no clear reasons why. Although unclear, doctors confirm that treating gastrointestinal problems also alleviates headache symptoms, which is how acid reflux-related headaches are treated. 

Can Acid Reflux Cause Asthma

Patients with asthma are known to experience GERD and are likelier to develop acid reflux than people without asthma. This is because acid reflux can cause damage to the esophagus, leading to chronic coughing. Overproduction of acid and constant exposure to stomach contents could also compromise the lungs, making it more susceptible to irritants like dust. 

Developing Asthma Due to GERD

It’s not just asthmatic patients who can be affected by GERD. Turns out that patients who are non-asthmatic can have respiratory problems due to reflux symptoms. 

Wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty are tell-tale signs of asthma. Commonly diagnosed in childhood, adults can also develop asthma late in their lives due to a variety of reasons. Some patients can develop asthmatic symptoms while others go on to experience chronic asthma symptoms and eventually develop adult asthma. 

Asthma can be caused by a variety of stimuli including exposure to allergens and persistent flu. Doctors tend to identify acid reflux, or GERD in particular, as the cause for asthma when:

• Asthma symptoms worsen after a meal
• Asthma begins during adulthood, after the patient experiences reflux symptoms
• Asthma doesn’t get better with traditional asthma treatments 

Is It Always Serious?

Wheezing and chronic cough require proper diagnosis before asthma is ruled out. After all, acid reflux can cause temporary damage to the esophagus, triggering both symptoms. Just because you’re experiencing wheezing and coughing doesn’t mean you have developed adult asthma. 

Can Acid Reflux Cause Nerve Pain

Acid reflux symptoms can be typical or atypical in nature. Tingling limbs and nerve pain are considered rare and atypical acid reflux symptoms. 

Dr. Mark Babyatsky, a former department chairman at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, explained that inflammation from acid reflux can reach the lungs and trigger pneumonia. 

As a result, the diaphragm can become inflamed, affecting the phrenic nerve, which is a nerve connecting the neck, lung, heart, and diaphragm. In this scenario, a patient can feel referred pain in the limbs, specifically the arms and shoulders. 

Alternatively, nerve-related issues may be caused by pre-existing neuropathic conditions, leading to acid reflux. An example of this is gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is a form of diabetic peripheral neuropathy characterized by slow digestion. This leads to bloating, heartburn, and vomiting of undigested food. 

If you’re experiencing acid reflux symptoms with nerve pain, there’s a high chance that your nerve pain is not reflux-related, especially if you are experiencing temporary reflux. Get in touch with a medical professional to find a separate diagnosis concerning your nerve pain. 

Arm Pain: Heartburn Or Something Else?

Heart attack survivors often recount their first symptom as a heartburn-like sensation. Many patients explicitly use the word heartburn when recounting their cardiac experience. Patients often realize that their “heartburn” is in fact not reflux-related but heart-related when:

• There is a pain radiating up the arm, specifically the left arm
• They have no history of acid reflux
• There is a burning sensation in the chest
• They have not eaten anything prior to the pain 
• The pain doesn’t go away with antacid 

If your heartburn symptoms don’t go away after taking an antacid, and are accompanied by arm pain and back pain, we suggest going to an emergency facility immediately to get medical help. 

Can Acid Reflux Cause Chest Pain 

Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of acid reflux. Chest pain related to reflux is also called noncardiac chest pain (NCCP). Chest pain occurs during reflux episodes because the heart and the esophagus share a nerve network. Acid reflux, specifically GERD, causes up to 66% of reported NCCPs.

Evaluating Your Chest Pain

Since chest pain from acid reflux and more serious conditions such as heart attack are hard to distinguish, it’s important to know how to evaluate your chest pain. Chest pain from acid reflux often affects the sternum or the area below it called the epigastrium. Pain from acid reflux is often characterized as a sharp pain, which gets worse with coughing. 

Meanwhile, chest pain from non-acid reflux sources could be described as a deep, searing pain. Heart-related chest pain often radiates to other parts of the body including the back, neck, shoulders, and arms. 

The symptoms that accompany chest pain are also key in evaluating the nature of the pain. Gastro-related chest pain is often accompanied by burping or flatulence, trouble swallowing, bile regurgitation, and a burning sensation in the throat or stomach. 

Cardiac-related chest pain is often accompanied by numbness in the left arm or shoulder, shortness of breath, dizziness, and high body temperatures. 

Can Acid Reflux Cause Fever and Chills 

Sustained esophagus damage from bile regurgitation can lead to esophagitis, which is the inflammation of the esophagus. Esophagitis can also be caused by infections, abuse of oral medication, and allergies. 

Reflux esophagitis is a complication of acid reflux, leading to tissue damage and inflammation. Patients with infectious esophagitis may experience fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches. Dealing with acid reflux trigger often alleviates esophagitis symptoms. 

On the other hand, acid reflux alone doesn’t cause fever and chills. If you are not diagnosed with GERD or esophagitis but are experiencing fever and chills with reflux symptoms, get in touch with your doctor immediately to get more information. You could be experiencing a severe bacterial infection and need antibiotics to get well. 

Can You Have Acid Reflux and Not Know It 

Acid reflux can manifest in different ways. Other patients may report extreme versions of acid reflux involving constant heartburn and regurgitation, while others might only report trouble swallowing and coughing. 

Alternatively, there is another form of esophageal reflux that doesn’t exhibit the same symptoms as GERD or heartburn. If you’re experiencing classic reflux symptoms such as coughing and sleep apnea, you may be experiencing what is known as silent reflux. 

Do You Have Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)? 

Laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR is a type of esophageal reflux that doesn’t involve the tell-tale sign of GERD: heartburn. As a result, patients have a difficult time understanding the nature of their symptoms. In most cases, patients with LPR don’t even know they have reflux, which is why the disorder is called silent reflux. 

LPR is caused by the same mechanism that triggers GERD. When the lower esophageal sphincter loosens, stomach contents travel back up the esophagus. In this case, stomach acids travel further up the pharynx, reaching the larynx (voice box) and nasal pathways. As a result, a patient with LPR experiences symptoms like:

• Chronic cough
• Voice hoarseness
• Difficult swallowing; feeling of persistent lump in the throat
• Post-nasal drip
• Sore throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Sleep apnea, difficulty going to sleep caused by coughing

LPR is relieved the same way as GERD. By improving your diet and food choices and adopting healthier lifestyle choices, you can alleviate symptoms and regain control over your health. 

Get Professional Help Today

Don’t let scary symptoms dictate how you live your life. Get a clear diagnosis of your symptoms today and learn what’s causing you discomfort.

Whether it’s heartburn or something else entirely, our top gastroenterologists at Gastro Center NJ will give you everything you need to get your health back on track.

Book an appointment with us today.

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Best Home Remedies for Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

Studies show that up to 60% of the population report having acid reflux symptoms at least once in their lives. It’s one of the most common digestive disorders in the West. Its most symptoms include heartburn, acid regurgitation, and constipation. 

Although doctors are still unable to understand what exactly causes acid reflux, evidence supports that pregnant women are predisposed to having acid reflux because of changes in their body. 

Pregnancy can be uncomfortable enough as it is – adding acid reflux to the mix won’t make it any better. So, what are the top home remedies for pregnant patients experiencing acid reflux? Smarter food choices and better eating habits are two immediate things you can do to alleviate reflux symptoms. 

This includes taking antacids, choosing non-fatty foods, and eating multiple smaller meals as opposed to bigger meals in a day. 

In this article, we talk about the top acid reflux remedies for pregnant women, as well as ways to prevent flare-ups. 

Pregnancy and Acid Reflux: Why It Happens

Morning sickness and food sensitivities are just two of the most common pregnancy side effects, but it turns out these two aren’t the only common ones. Heartburn and acid reflux also affect a significant portion of pregnant women. 

Heartburn is characterized as the feeling of burning in your chest. Despites its namesake, it has nothing to do with your heart burning; heartburn is a symptom of acid and gas flaring up the chest. This is usually triggered by certain foods and eating habits. 

On the other hand, acid reflux refers to the backwash of acid contents up the esophagus, leading to an acidic sensation in the throat and mouth. Acid reflux and heartburn go hand in hand in a condition generally known as acid reflux. 

Chronic acid reflux is quite common, with 20% of adults in Western cultures being diagnosed with this long-term digestive problem. As for pregnant women, acid reflux can suddenly become a bane due to hormonal and physical changes caused by pregnancy. Most pregnant women stop exhibiting acid reflux symptoms after giving birth. 

What Causes Acid Reflux During Pregnancy?

Doctors speculate a handful of reasons that lead pregnant women into exhibiting acid reflux symptoms. These include:

1. Hormonal Changes

Pregnant women regulate hormones differently. As a result, the digestive system tends to slow down because of hormonal changes in the body. A once-efficient digestive system becomes slower, forcing the stomach contents to travel back up the esophagus. 

2. LES 

Hormonal changes in the body can also trigger mechanism changes. Doctors believe that pregnancy hormones, specifically progesterone, have an impact in the development of acid reflux in pregnant women. 

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscle connecting the esophagus and the stomach. This small muscle acts as a “valve” which separates stomach acid from the esophagus. 

Because of hormonal discrepancies, the LES sometimes weakens in pregnant women, causing stomach contents to travel back up the esophagus. Some women report having a weak LES in the beginning of their pregnancy, while others only experience it during their third trimester. 

3. Stomach Pressure

Pregnant women who only experience acid reflux during the third trimester can attribute it to the baby’s growth. The presence of the baby in the womb can put pressure on an expectant patient’s stomach, forcing stomach contents to travel back up the esophagus.

How common is acid reflux during pregnancy? 

If you think you’re the first one to experience heartburn and acid reflux during your pregnancy, think again. A study published in Clinical Evidence reveals that heartburn is a common complaint during pregnancy, reported by up to 45% of patients according to the findings. 

The incidence of heartburn increases as the patient progresses through the pregnancy stages. The incidence of heartburn increases from 22% in the first trimester to 39% in the second and up to 72% in the third trimester. 

Acid reflux symptoms vary from one patient to another. Some studies found that pregnant women only experienced acid reflux in the first trimester, while others reported experiencing this only during the third trimester. 

Does acid reflux affect the baby?

While an uncomfortable experience, acid reflux does not harm the baby in any way. Old wives’ tales such as the baby getting hairier with acid reflux is also not true. Acid reflux is a common and harmless gastrointestinal problem that won’t directly affect your baby in any way. It is also not a hereditary condition, and won’t impact their growth. 

Can you take antacids during pregnancy?

Over-the-counter antacid options in chewable and liquid form are both allowed for pregnant women experiencing acid reflux. Antacids made from calcium carbonate (Tums) are a safe antacid option for women. Antacids containing magnesium oxide and hydroxide are also good options, and typically come in liquid form. 

Watch out for antacids with high levels of sodium, aluminum, as well as those including aspirin – these types of antacids aren’t ideal for pregnant women. 

Antacids work by neutralizing the acid in your stomach. If you find that your antacids aren’t helping, ask your doctor for stronger aid such as acid reducers. This kind of medicine stops most acid production instead of neutralizing existing acid. 

Home Remedies for Pregnant Patients

Below are some home remedies you can do to alleviate your acid reflux symptoms. Take note that not all home remedies work for every patient. Go through each and test out which ones work best for you.

1. Drink Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is effective in soothing acid reflux and heartburn symptoms. Drink a bag of peppermint tea before every meal to soothe your stomach. Chamomile tea is also another popular remedy for acid reflux because of its soothing properties. 

2. Raise Your Head

When you’re sleeping or sitting, make sure your head is elevated above your stomach so your stomach juices don’t flow back your throat. Prop a pillow against your head and ensure that your head is raised higher than your stomach to aim the acids away from the esophagus. 

3. Drink Tons of Water

Keep a tumbler of water next to you so you can sip small amounts throughout the day. Rehydrating on water will keep your digestive system healthy and mitigate any hiccups during your pregnancy. 

4. Drink Low-Fat Milk 

Milk is another great liquid for neutralizing heartburn. However, make sure you’re drinking low-fat milk since foods high in fat are known to exacerbate heartburn symptoms. Stay away from full fat options and choose skim, low-fat, or even plant-based milk options. 

5. Don’t Eat Before Bed

Eating before bed (or sometimes on the bed) can seem pretty unavoidable when you’re pregnant, but doing so will only worsen acid reflux symptoms. If you can’t avoid snacking after dinner, make sure you’re sitting upright while you’re eating and to remain seated upright for two hours after the last meal to allow the food to travel down without problems.

6. Snack On Almonds

Raw almonds have been known to soothe acid reflux and heartburn symptoms due to their high oil content. Eat a handful of it to soothe your stomach, but don’t overeat almonds since they’re high in fats and could trigger the symptoms. 

7. Eat Fruits Like Bananas And Apples

These two fruits in particular have antacid properties that can help with acid reflux symptoms. When choosing your fruits, stay away from more acidic options like oranges, pineapple, and grapefruit. 

8. Wear Loose Clothing

As a pregnant woman, you’re likely already wearing loose clothing. If your acid reflux symptoms are flaring up, check to see that your clothing doesn’t add pressure to your stomach or belly area. Trade tie-up pajamas with a loose shirt and shorts. 

9. Snack On Licorice

Studies suggest that licorice is useful in protecting the stomach against acid. It contains properties that increase mucus coating in the esophagus, which could protect it whenever acid travels back up the esophagus. Ask your doctor for DGL or deglycyrrhizinated licorice, available in both pill and liquid form. 

10. Chew Gum 

Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which is considered an effective acid buffer. Chewing gum can help reduce the inflammation in your esophagus by lubricating the throat. Chew sugar-free gum for thirty minutes after a meal to reduce symptoms of acid reflux. If you have the option to buy bicarbonate gum, choose that instead. 

What to Avoid 

Knowing what foods and lifestyle choices trigger acid reflux can be beneficial in preventing it in the first place. Below are just some of the things you should avoid when dealing with heartburn during pregnancy. 

• Avoid eating big meals throughout the day. Acid reflux gets worse with undigested food. To avoid putting stress on your stomach, avoid eating big meals and eat smaller meals throughout the day instead. Divide three big meals into five or seven smaller meals to help your body digest the food properly. 
• Don’t exercise. Exercise can put stress on the body and worsen acid reflux symptoms. To prevent flare-ups, stick to low-stress exercise like walking. Ask your doctor for exercise recommendations. 
• Refrain from snacking too close to bedtime. Lying down after a meal is one of the fastest ways to trigger acid reflux. Snacking close to bedtime also has the same effect. To prevent late night heartburn, sit up for at least 2 hours after your meal to prevent the food from travelling back up the esophagus. 
• Avoid citrusy and high fat foods. Foods high in fat and citrus content can also trigger acid production. Stay away from citrusy foods and foods high in fat to avoid trigger heartburn and acid reflux. 
• Skip the coffee. Coffee is an acidic beverage, which could contribute to your acid reflux. Skip the morning coffee, as well as the orange juice. Stick to beverages without any caffeine content. 

Top Trigger Foods for Acid Reflux

• Spicy foods can trigger acid reflux. If you’ve got a craving for spicy food, it might not be the best time to give in to this craving. Foods such as pepper, onions, and garlic can irritate the stomach lining and trigger acid production. Avoid acid reflux symptoms by staying away from spicy foods during your pregnancy. 
• Fatty foods slow down digestion and trigger heartburn. Avoid foods like hamburgers, french fries, steaks, certain cheeses, and chocolate. These foods are all high in fats and could lead to symptom flare-ups. 
• Avoid late night snacking. It’s not just certain foods that can trigger acid reflux, it’s also eating habits that could worsen acid reflux in pregnant women. Late night snacking leads to acid reflux because there the body isn’t being given enough time to digest the food before falling asleep. 

If you’re keen on having late night snacks, choose healthier options like fruits and oatmeal and stay up for another couple of hours before heading to bed. 

When to See a Doctor

Acid reflux is a common occurrence among pregnant women and should be no cause for worry. Common symptoms of acid reflux include:

• Burning sensation in chest (heartburn) usually after eating
• Chest pain 
• Regurgitation 
• Difficulty swallowing
• Bad breath
• Disrupted sleep 

On the other hand, consider getting in touch with a medical professional once you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• You are experiencing bloody bowel movements
• You have observed a change in  your bowel movements
• You have chronic cough that won’t go away with medication 
• Your heartburn has become more frequent or severe 
• Your acid reflux symptoms are accompanied by unprecedented weight loss
• You experience heartburn symptoms even after taking medication 
• Your stomach pain gets worse with time
• Your acid reflux symptoms are accompanied with neck, jaw, arm, or leg pain not related to pregnancy 
• You have difficulty breathing 
• You experience extreme fatigue and weakness

Get Treated for Acid Reflux 

Need specific medication for acid reflux? Get in touch with us at Gastro Center NJ to learn how to manage acid reflux during pregnancy.

With our expertise treating digestive problems, we’re dedicated to giving you a more pleasant pregnancy by creating a treatment plan that will soothe your discomfort.

Book an appointment with us today. 

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Best Breakfast for Colon Cancer Patients

Colon cancer patients experience a host of side effects that can make food unappealing. When left untreated, patients may experience rapid weight loss, which is detrimental to their health and recovery.

Breakfast is an opportunity to introduce creative but nutritious foods that will not only help patients recover to a healthy weight but also bolster their immunity to help fight colon cancer. 

So, what are the best breakfast options for colon cancer patients? Breakfast foods like cereal and toast are often high in fiber, which is one of the key dietary associations with a decreased risk of developing colon cancer. Incorporating whole grain foods such as quinoa, brown rice, and oatmeal is also beneficial for colon cancer patients. 

In this article, we talk about the top breakfast options for colon cancer patients, as well as those you should avoid during treatment. 

Breakfast and Colon Cancer

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It turns out its significance goes beyond fueling the body: it might in fact be beneficial in preventing colon cancer altogether. 

A UK study wanted to understand the relationship between food consumption and increased risk of colon cancer. They found that participants who had consumed 76 g of red meat a day or more had a 20% increased risk. Those who consumed 10 g of alcohol per day resulted in an 8% risk.

Interestingly, the study showed that breakfast eaters, particularly those who ate cereal and bread, had a 14% lower risk of developing colon cancer thanks to the fiber from these breakfast staples.

Eating breakfast has also been linked with lower instances of obesity, which is a known factor of developing colon cancer. All in all, eating breakfast is as crucial to healthy individuals as it is to patients undergoing therapy. 

Why Does Food Matter?

The colon plays a crucial role when it comes to digestion and the absorption of nutrients. Patients with colon cancer have a difficult time processing food and nutrients needed to fuel the body. As a result, patients have a hard time metabolizing calories and protein they get from food, leading to lethargy, weakness, and even weight loss. 

Loss of appetite, nausea, and weight loss are among the common side effects of colon cancer. These side effects inevitably affect a patient’s relationship with food and have an impact on their overall health. 

A well-constructed diet plan will help patients get back on their feet. By striking a balance between what they like and what’s good for the body, patients can go back to a healthy weight and resume the strength to continue with treatments in no time. 

Aside from weight maintenance, a proper diet is important for cancer patients because it helps with recovery. Cancer treatments can be hard on the body as it is. As a patient battles colon cancer, they will need to regain strength to proceed with the treatment.

More importantly, a smart diet plan will boost the patient’s immunity and improve their ability to properly fight colon cancer. 

The Value of Good Calories

Not all foods are created equally. It’s not enough that you’re helping a patient eat – it’s also important that you’re mindful of every single bite they take. While it’s necessary to increase the amount of calories colon cancer patients eat in a day, the quality of the calories they take in also contributes to their overall well-being.

2,000 calories from a milkshake loaded with syrup and ice cream isn’t the same as 2,000 calories from a milkshake made of leafy greens and protein powder. 

When we talk about good calories, we simply refer to nutritious, protein-heavy, fiber-rich foods that are suitable for colon cancer patients. These good calorie food groups include:

1. Foods rich in fiber: A high-fiber diet is known to aid in digestion. Similarly, patients who incorporate high-fiber foods in their diet have healthier colons that are less prone to blockage. 
2. Whole grain foods: Processed grains such as white bread and white rice have high glycemic indices that aren’t ideal for colon cancer patients. On the other hand, whole grain foods such as quinoa, barley, brown rice, and oatmeal often have high-fiber content and have naturally occurring nutrients that can be metabolized by the body to create pure energy. 
3. Healthy fats from tree nuts: Studies suggest that a diet rich in tree nuts such as hazelnuts, pistachios, cashews, and walnuts reduce the risk of recurrence for colon cancer patients. 
4. Foods rich in antioxidants: Fruits and vegetables are a key part of any healthy diet. Colon cancer patients should look into incorporating foods like berries and spinach in their regular meals. These are foods rich in fiber and contain antioxidants and flavonoids that help fight cancer. 

The opposite of “good calories” aren’t exactly detrimental to your health. Sugar and fat are essential to any person’s diet, but should only be taken in moderate amounts. These foods have little to no nutritional value, and prioritizing this over other food groups means missing out on key nutrients that are actually needed by the body.

Remember that a high-calorie diet doesn’t always meat high fat or high sugar. You can still create a meal plan that reaches 4,000 to 5,000 calories a day just by relying on clean foods and cooking techniques. 

Breakfast Option for Colon Cancer Patients

1. Eggs

The best part about this protein powerhouse is that they’re already a breakfast staple. A serving of medium sized egg has about 13 grams of protein. 

In order to reduce the risk of cholesterol without skipping out on the protein, we recommend cooking 1 to 2 eggs with a cup of egg whites for an additional serving of 8 grams of protein. Eggs can be served fried with oven baked potatoes or frittata style loaded with spinach, cheese, and tomatoes. 

2. Spinach or Kale

Studies suggest that compounds found in spinach and kale are able to suppress tumor growth and fight cancer cells with antioxidants. Blend these as a main ingredient of a green smoothie or mix them in an omelet or breakfast burrito to supercharge your breakfast. 

3. Low-fat Cheese

Cheese on a bagel or toast is a great breakfast option. To really get the full health benefits of your breakfast cheese, swap out high-fat cheeses with a low-fat cheese option. This also applies to your full fat greek yogurt. When it comes to dairy, always look for low-fat alternatives. 

4. Oatmeal and Muesli

Oatmeal is another breakfast staple that’s loaded with fiber and antioxidants. It improves blood sugar control and protects your heart from cholesterol. 

Alternatively, muesli is another breakfast dish made out of rolled oats and nuts, seeds, and fresh fruits – all of which are high in antioxidants and cancer-fighting properties. These two breakfast dishes can be customized to fit the patient’s taste and preferences. 

5. Banana and Blueberry

Bananas and blueberries are common breakfast fruits that are especially beneficial to colon cancer patients. Banana contains a relatively high amount of fiber for fruits and boasts various nutrients such as Vitamin C and Vitamin B6.

Blueberries are also rich in fiber, Vitamin C, and vitamin K. A 148 gram serving contains 4 grams of fiber. Blueberry also contains antioxidants that prevent DNA damage, which plays an important role in colon cancer development. 

6. Whole Wheat Tortillas

Who said colon cancer-friendly foods weren’t appetizing? Use whole wheat tortillas to make delicious breakfast tortillas. Swap out the meat with mushrooms or vegetarian meat to get the full flavor. Serve with a slice of avocado and a heaping of salsa to enjoy. 

7. Protein Pancake and Waffle

Upgrade your standard pancake and waffle batter by adding a cup or two of protein powder. A cup of protein powder usually has 25 to 32 g of protein, depending on the brand. Increased protein intake is beneficial for rebuilding muscle and tissues, as well as improving overall energy and strength. 

How to Make Breakfast Exciting 

Dietary restrictions can be hard on the appetite. Instead of making breakfast a chore, here are some ways you could make breakfast exciting, which could improve the patient’s relationship with food:

Alternate between “good” and “bad” calories.

Milkshakes are high in calories and easy to swallow, making it a perfect breakfast option for colon cancer patients. On the other hand, a diet based mostly on milkshakes might help the patient take in some much needed calories upfront, but it won’t improve their strength in the long run.

Instead of focusing on just one type of food, cycle between good and bad calories to prevent fatigue. Serve a hearty milkshake made up of peanut butter and ice cream on one day, and serve up a healthier version with fruits and protein powder the next day. 

Prepare multiple options a week.

The rule of cycling and variety also applies to food options. Instead of serving the same breakfast meal every single day, make sure to have various options available during the week. This way, the patient has always something to look forward to during breakfast, which can help meal time more exciting. 

Plan breakfasts together.

Top nutritionists always recommend involving the patient with meal planning. By doing so, you can take into account their preferences and prioritize foods they like. Does your patient prefer oatmeal-based breakfasts over french toast? By knowing this, you can plan different oatmeal options during the week and serve food your patient will actually eat and enjoy. 

Top 4 Breakfast Foods to Avoid

1. Processed Meat

Hotdog, bacon, and sausages are among the favorite breakfast staples for most Americans. Unfortunately, eating processed meats has been linked with an increased risk of developing colon cancer, and should be avoided even by patients undergoing therapy. 

A study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that eating processed meat four or more times a week can result in a 20% increase risk of developing colon cancer. According to the publishers, the risk increases 19%A for every 25-gram daily serving of processed meat. 

2. Sugary Foods

From cereals to juices, there are tons of processed breakfast options that contain an obscene amount of sugar. The worst part is that these foods look inconspicuous on shelves, making them easy to overlook. When shopping for colon cancer-friendly breakfast items, don’t just look at the label. Also make sure to take a look at the nutritional values posted on the label to fully understand what goes into a specific product.

A rule of thumb is to always go for the simpler version of foods. Between your standard whole wheat cereal and high-sugar, fruit-flavored cereal, it’s easy to see which one is loaded with unnecessary sugar and which one has the least amount of preservatives.  

3. High-fat Foods

Processed meats aren’t the only breakfast items that are high in fat. Cream, butter, and other dairy products could be increasing your saturated fat intake without you knowing about it. 

The next time you top waffles or pancakes, rethink the whip cream and try to swap it out with a healthier source of fat such as cottage cheese.

Minimize consumption of saturated fats by focusing on the good fats. Hit two birds with one stone by swapping out milk products with plant-based milk in order to lower fat content and increase protein consumption. 

4. Fried Foods

Fried foods are exactly what make breakfast exciting. Unfortunately, loading up on oily foods is a surefire way to impede recovery. Fats can clog up the colon, which can lead to discomfort, indigestion, and loss of appetite. 

If you can’t avoid having fried foods on the menu, we suggest looking into alternative cooking options like baking or air frying. Patients can still enjoy the crunchy texture of foods, without consuming a high amount of unhealthy fats for breakfast. 

Caring for You From Start to Finish

Getting a colonoscopy is the first step to preventing colon cancer. At Gastro Center NJ, we implement proactive measures and solve health problems before they even happen. Your health is our top priority and we want to make sure you’re on the right track. 

Schedule a colonoscopy today and get on top of your colon health. Colon cancer screening is the number one way of preventing colon cancer. Schedule yours today. 

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All Symptoms Of Colon Cancer In Women

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, next to lung and breast cancer. Colon cancer poses some similarities to common gastrointestinal problems and some gynecologic issues, making it easy for women to pass off warning signs as random aches and pains. 

So, what are the most common symptoms of colon cancer in women patients? Change in bowel habits, unintentional weight loss, chronic fatigue, persistent abdominal pain, anemia, constipation, and bleeding are the main signs of colon cancer in women. 

The presence of one or two symptoms doesn’t automatically mean a colon polyp is present. If you experience two or more of the following, get in touch with a gastroenterologist to understand the nature of your symptoms. 

How Common is Colon Cancer in Women?

Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States. It’s ranked as the third leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women. 1 in every 24 women will be diagnosed with colon cancer in their lifetime. 

Cancer patients, both men and women, have a 90% 5-year survival rate when diagnosed early. After the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and other tissues, the 5-year survival rate drops to 71% and is reduced further to 14% once it reaches other parts of the body. 

Are Women More Likely to Develop Colon Cancer Than Men?

Colon cancer is usually called a man’s disease because of the difference in the number of colon cancer patients in men and women. In 2018, cancer organizations estimated 101,421 new cases of colon cancer that year, 51,690 of which are men and 49,730 for women.

Despite this, women shouldn’t feel complacent when it comes to colon cancer screening. The average risk of getting colon cancer is equal in men and women over the age of 50. 

Colon Cancer Facts Specific to Women

The progression and development of colon cancer differs between the sexes. A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology discussed the gender-specific differences in colorectal cancer risk. They highlighted the following differences:

• Female patients over 65 years old have higher mortality rates and lower 5-year survival rates than male patients of the same age
• Female patients have a higher risk of developing right-sided colon cancer than men 
• Since women possess longer transverse colon that men, colonoscopies pose a lower detection rate because of this biological difference
• The risk of developing proximal large polyps increased with age, race (African-American) and sex (women)

What Increases Colon Cancer Risk In Women?

Patients who smoke are more likely to develop colon cancer than patients who don’t, especially in women. A study suggests that women who smoke have a 20% increased risk of developing colon cancer compared to those who don’t smoke. 

Patients suggest that women who consume 10 or fewer cigarettes a day are predisposed to higher risk of colon cancer. Additionally, women who have smoked for more than 40 years increase their cancer risk by up to 50%. The increased odds of smoking-related cancer is higher in women than men. 

Although the study illustrates the relationship between smoking and an increased risk in colon cancer, scientists are still figuring out the real reason behind it, and why women smokers are at a higher risk than male smokers. Men smokers only have a 5% increased risk of developing colon cancer compared to the 15% increased risk of women who smoke. 

Excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and poor diet are other factors that increase the risk of colon cancer in women. 

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women

1. Change In Bowel Habits

Keeping track of your bowel consistency might not sound like the most appealing idea in the world, but it turns out it can actually save your life. Changes in bowel habits is one of the top symptoms of colon cancer, and most patients never pay attention to their bowels until it’s too late.

Changes could vary in size, shape, or color. What you’re looking for is a sudden difference in bowel habits. If you were on a regular bathroom schedule but notice yourself to be on the constipated side, you might want to get checked especially if you stay constipated for 3 or more months, even with various intervention efforts. 

Constipation is a sign of polyps growing on your colon, and may very well be the reason why you’re on an irregular bathroom schedule. 

2. Unintentional Weight Loss

Weight loss is often a welcome change for most women. It’s a sign that your new workout regimen or diet plan is working. On the other hand, experiencing unexplained weight loss could point to gastrointestinal problems you’re not yet aware of. 

Watch the scale and track the numbers. Losing a healthy amount of weight every month should be no big deal, especially if you’re actively working towards a new weight goal. 

But even on a diet plan, women tend to lose weight at a healthy rate of 0.5 to 1 kilos per week. If you start losing 4 or more kilos without any known reason, it could be because cancer cells in your colon are affecting your body’s ability to digest food and absorb nutrients. If you start experiencing unprecedented weight loss with chronic fatigue, it could be a telling sign that something is wrong with your health. 

3. Chronic Fatigue

Fatigue and weakness are usually passed off as stress or exhaustion from day to day living, but doctors say it’s one of the early warning signs of any cancer. When prolonged periods of fatigue and weakness remain over the course of months or get worse with time, even with medical intervention, it can be classified as chronic fatigue.

Regular fatigue is classified as chronic when it doesn’t get better with time. Patients with chronic fatigue may experience sleepiness during the day and have a hard time falling asleep at night due to insomnia. Chronic exhaustion coupled with other colon cancer symptoms could be a definite sign of colon cancer in women. 

Patients with colon cancer may also experience fatigue and weakness, even with healthy diets and exercise, because of how cancer cells activate using the body’s energy reserve. When you start feeling exhausted for longer periods of time, check in with a gastroenterologist to find the underlying cause of chronic fatigue. 

4. Consistent Abdominal Pain 

Cramps from gastrointestinal problems and menstrual cramps can be pretty similar, which makes women quick to dismiss warning signs as normal biological processes. It’s not uncommon for women patients to mistake gastrointestinal symptoms as menstrual-related symptoms. 

Because of this, a proactive attitude towards colon cancer screening is highly encouraged. Diagnosing colon cancer in women can be more challenging due to the presence of gynecologic organs that can obstruct the physician’s view during a colonoscopy. As such, we recommend women to get a full colonoscopy (colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy) to get the most out of these screening processes. 

5. Anemia

Anemia is characterized as the lack of healthy red blood cells in the bloodstream. As a result, a patient doesn’t have a healthy supply of oxygen, leading to fatigue. More often than not, chronic fatigue may be caused by anemia. 

Patients become anemic due to a variety of reasons. In the case of colon cancer patients, polyps can bleed, causing the body to lose red blood cells more rapidly than they can be replaced. On top of fatigue, anemic individuals also report headaches, chest pain, dizziness, palpitations, pale skin, and cold sensation in the hands and feet. Anemia is easily treated using supplements and dietary changes. 

On the other hand, anemia in post-menstrual patients could point to more serious issues. Women above the age of 50 have an increased risk of developing colon cancer due to old age. Anemia occurring after menopause is uncommon and should be subject to further medical investigation.

Anemic patients who experience rectal bleeding or observe blood in the stools should get in touch with a gastroenterologist immediately. 

6. Constipation

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal issue that usually doesn’t have adverse consequences. Chronic cases of constipation can be symptomatic of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is characterized by prolonged periods of diarrhea, constipation, or both. 

Because of the common symptoms shared by IBS and constipation, patients tend to dismiss their symptoms as IBS symptoms and neglect professional advice. When episodes of constipation don’t get better with an increase in fiber intake or digestive aid, it might be due to more serious gastrointestinal problems.

Constipation alone shouldn’t be worrisome. It’s a different story when it occurs with rectal bleeding, abdominal cramps, and chronic fatigue. In this case, you should get in touch with a physician to understand the underlying cause of your constipation. 

7. Bleeding

Rectal bleeding and the presence of blood in the stool are two more tell-tale signs of colon cancer. Both are hard to diagnose since the cause of the bleeding is often unclear. Rectal bleeding in women has been mistaken for regular menstrual bleeding, while the presence of blood in stool has been mistaken for hemorrhoids. 

Despite the superficial differences, there are some patterns to both rectal bleeding and blood in the stool that could help you determine whether it’s serious or not. Even women with irregular menstrual cycles can observe a pattern in their bleeding. Rectal bleeding is inconsistent and random. It is also typically accompanied by constipation.

Similarly, blood in the stool caused by colon cancer can be both dark or bright red in color. Most hemorrhoids can be felt around the anus. A simple physical inspection can confirm the presence of hemorrhoids. 

Other Symptoms to Watch Out For

• Thin, narrow stools
• Feeling that you have to empty your bowels but nothing passes
• Not being relieved after passing bowel 
• Feeling full after passing bowel 
• Abdominal bloating
• Vomiting
• Sudden loss of appetite
• Jaundice

Am I at Risk?

The standard age for colonoscopy in women is 50. However, there has been an increase in colon cancer incidence in individuals as young as 35. Early screening is recommended for patients who are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer due to the following reasons:

Personal or family history of colon cancer

If you or any of your family members had a history of colon cancer or noncancerous polyps, you could be recommended for early screening to monitor the possibility of polyp growth in your colon.

Poor lifestyle choices

Individuals who have a low-fiber, high-fat have an increased risk of developing colon cancer. Similarly, individuals who are inactive are also more likely to develop colon cancer than healthier individuals. Excessive cigarette and alcohol consumption could also contribute to the increased risk of developing colon cancer.

Inherited syndromes

Although colon cancer is not hereditary, certain disorders that can increase a person’s chance of developing polyps can be passed genetically. These include familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or Lynch syndrome. Only a minority of diagnosed cases are linked to inherited syndromes.

Inflammatory diseases

The presence of chronic inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis have also been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer. 

When to See a Doctor

These symptoms don’t automatically guarantee the presence of colon polyps. If you notice any of the following, get in touch with a doctor and ask about getting screened for colon cancer:

• Symptoms that continue even with previous intervention
• Symptoms that get worse during bowel movements
• Symptoms that get worse with time i.e. progressive abdominal cramping 
• Symptoms that are accompanied by one or two other colon cancer symptoms

Diagnosing Colon Cancer In Women

Proactive colon cancer screening is the key to defeating colon cancer. When caught early, polyps can be removed and colon cancer can be avoided altogether. At Gastro Center NJ, we believe the first step is understanding your body and its symptoms. If you want to understand the nature of your symptoms, our top New Jersey gastroenterologists are here to shed light on your issues. 

Are you ready to get a colonoscopy? Book a consultation today.

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Can Acid Reflux Cause Sinus and Ear Problems?

Chronic acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can produce symptoms beyond the usual heartburn and sore throat. GERD manifests itself in different ways, with some patients experiencing less common but still normal signs of the condition.

Can acid reflux lead to ear and sinus complications? Yes, it can. Although the reason for this is still indefinite, acid reflux can lead to ear and sinus infections for some patients.

On the other hand, patients experiencing postnasal drip, sore throat, and a swollen larynx may have laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR, a similar stomach condition that is sometimes mistaken for GERD.

Ear and Sinus Problems: Common Or Worrisome?

GERD is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions in the U.S. but its symptoms aren’t always straightforward. More and more physicians are accepting its association with ENT (ear, nose, throat) conditions.

Although it’s difficult to explain how GERD mechanisms affect the ear and sinus, doctors suggest that damages caused by GERD can change how the ear and nose behave.

Chronic Sinusitis in GERD Patients

A group of Taiwanese doctors tried to understand the relationship between GERD and chronic rhinosinusitis. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is caused by inflammation in the sinus. This interferes with a patient’s ability to breathe and perceive smell and even taste. 

Other symptoms of chronic sinusitis include:

• Chronic congestion
• Postnasal drainage, or feeling mucus on the back of the throat
• Thick discharge from nose
• Nasal inflammation 
• Tenderness around eyes, nose, cheeks
• Ear pain

Although the direct cause of CRS remains unclear, doctors noticed that patients with GERD also tend to develop CRS. After observing the patients for around 2 years, scientists found that patients with GERD were at a higher risk of developing CRS than healthy patients. This same group was also more likely to develop a form of CRS that occurs without nasal polyps. 

Possible reasons for the increased risk include:

• Prolonged exposure to stomach contents in the esophagus may have reached the nasopharynx, which directly connects to the nasal cavity
• Constant exposure to reflux material could contribute to the development of CRS
• The acid, pepsin, trypsin, and bile being regurgitated can damage parts of the sinus that lead to sinus dysfunction and create an environment for invasive bacteria to grow

Ear Infections in GERD Patients

Chronic otitis media (OME) is a long-term ear problem resulting in the perforation in the eardrum. When left untreated, the middle ear can get infected with liquids. Ear problems are another known manifestation of GERD. A study was keen to understand the relationship between GERD and OME. 

The scientists tested out antireflux medication on a patient with GERD and OME to understand whether reflux medication would directly alleviate OME symptoms. Scientists found that antireflux therapy and other lifestyle modifications associated with GERD (avoiding meals and drinks at least 3 hours before bed time, more exercise) improved both GERD and OME symptoms. 

Publishers have two interesting suggestions regarding GERD-related OME:

1. That GERD has the potential to manifest into a different condition like nasopharyngitis, and lead to a specific ear condition
2. That chronic ear problems resistant to therapy may in fact be caused by GERD, and treated through GERD-specific therapy

Recent studies detected pepsin, a stomach enzyme apparent in reflux contents, in the fluid stuck in the middle ear. This reaffirms the suspicion that GERD may in fact be related to the development of OME. 

Another study followed patients between ages 1 to 17 with OME and used anti-reflux therapy to improve the signs of GERD. This study also confirmed that anti-reflux medication helps with patients with resistant-therapy OME, leading them to believe that OME may be directly related to GERD. 

What This Means for You

Although more research is required to reach a conclusive diagnosis, there is enough scientific proof from clinical trials and studies that show treating GERD directly may also improve ear and nose symptoms. 

As a GERD patient experiencing ear and sinus complications, we recommend visiting an ENT and informing him or her regarding your chronic reflux condition. With this information, you can have peace of mind knowing that there are medical therapies available to improve your discomfort. 

Ear and Sinus Complication: Just a Symptom Or Something Else?

Because the ear, sinus, and throat are connected to each other, it’s possible for doctors to misdiagnose similar conditions localized in this area. In some cases, what patients think of as GERD may actually be another gastrointestinal condition called laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR. 

LPR: Silent Reflux

Laryngopharyngeal reflux is a condition that is caused by a malfunction in the “valves” of the stomach. These valves called sphincters prevent stomach contents from flowing back.

In some cases, the sphincter malfunctions, allowing stomach contents containing acid to travel back up the esophagus. 

Sounds familiar? It’s because LPR and GERD are caused by the same thing. While GERD is common across ages, laryngopharyngeal reflux is more commonly found in infants due to their undeveloped sphincter. Lying down all the time and a shorter esophagus also contribute to the development of LPR in infants. 

While the cause of LPR and GERD are the same, LPR doesn’t exhibit key symptoms that are found in GERD. Heartburn, a classic symptom, is typically absent in patients with LPR, which makes it difficult to diagnose the condition. Because of this, LPR is sometimes referred to as silent reflux. 

The main difference between GERD and LPR is the location of the reflux. When stomach contents reach the esophagus, a patient has GERD. When stomach contents reach further up the throat and affect the nasal airway, a patient has LPR.  

FAQ About LPR

Are LPR and GERD the same thing?

No. LPR and GERD are separate conditions. Although they are caused by the same faulty mechanism, the symptoms and location of the problem are different. 

Can a patient have GERD and LPR at the same time?

Yes. A patient can develop GERD and LPR simultaneously. Because GERD and LPR are conditions caused by the same problem, addressing concerns for one condition could also improve the symptoms for the other condition. 

Why is it hard to differentiate GERD from LPR?

Even though heartburn is a telling sign of GERD, not all GERD patients experience heartburn. Some symptoms also overlap, causing patients and doctors to misidentify GERD from LPR and vice-versa. 

Signs and Symptoms of LPR

Reflux going up the throat and reaching the nasal cavity can produce adverse effects. Common signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux include:

• Feeling of something stuck in the throat
• Postnasal drip, or the feeling of having mucus in the throat 
• Trouble swallowing 
• Respiratory problems
• Sore throat
• Itchy throat, constant throat clearing
• Chronic cough 
• Hoarseness or loss of voice

If you feel similar symptoms to GERD but are not experiencing heartburn, get in touch with a gastroenterologist to learn the underlying cause of your symptoms. 

Do You Have LPR: Reaching a Diagnosis 

If you think you have LPR, get in touch with an ENT doctor or an otolaryngologist to investigate the nature of your symptoms. You may be recommended to take the following tests:

• Upper endoscopy: Although this procedure is known to diagnose GERD, it can also be helpful in diagnosing LPR. Instead of investigating the esophagus, the examiner can view the upper part of the throat and use physical manifestations of the condition (damages to the throat from exposure to acid) along the throat. 
• pH test: Similar to an endoscopy, a pH monitoring test involves the insertion of a catheter down the nose to detect acid. This can help localize the damage from the reflux, which will determine if you have LPR or GERD. 

Get an Answer Today

Want to learn more about the nature of your ear and sinus complications? At Gastro Center NJ, our gastroenterologists keep an open mind when treating patients with GERD. Our professionals are trained to understand the extraesophageal manifestations of GERD, allowing us to give you the best medical treatment possible. 

Schedule an appointment with us today and get treated for problematic sinus and ear complications. 

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