We have entered the time of year when a lot of seasonal foods are readily available.  For those who have digestive problems, some of these foods can be very irritating. One digestive issue is known as GERD. Short for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Common symptoms of GERD are heartburn, a painful, burning feeling in the middle of your chest, behind your breastbone. Rising from the lower tip of your breastbone towards your throat.

Another symptom is regurgitation, or stomach contents coming back up through your esophagus and into your throat or mouth. Which may cause you to taste food or stomach acid.

Other symptoms may include:

• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Problems swallowing or pain while swallowing
• Symptoms of complications in the mouth, throat, or lungs, such as chronic cough or hoarseness.

WHAT CAUSES GERD?

When working correctly, your lower esophageal sphincter and diaphragm most often prevent GERD.

GERD may develop if your lower esophageal sphincter becomes weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t. The esophageal sphincter is the muscle that controls the passage between the esophagus and stomach and when it doesn’t close completely, stomach acid and food flow back into the esophagus.

A hiatal hernia can also increase the chance of getting GERD or make GERD symptoms worse. A hiatal hernia is a condition in which the opening in your diaphragm lets the upper part of the stomach move up into your chest.

Improving this condition is eating slowly. Avoid certain foods. The food plan must be bland and free from spices, fatty foods. Tomatoes, onions, garlic, coffee, tea, chocolate and alcohol are also triggers.

The Foodicine Health website at www.foodicinehealth.org has diet tips for people with acid reflux and GERD as well as for other digestive disorders.