Does Your Morning Coffee Cause You Pain or Discomfort?

Does your morning coffee cause you pain? Are you frustrated when a night out dining with friends ends in discomfort instead of relaxed conversation? Do you carry antacids with you every day?

Heartburn is more than just a nuisance. It can detract from enjoying a meal, force you to change your routine and hang over your every decision - what to eat, what to drink, when to lay down.

What is this monkey on your back and how can you find relief?

WHAT CAUSES HEARTBURN?

Heartburn occurs when the acid content of the stomach makes its way back into the esophagus. A burning sensation and even a bitter taste are experienced by heartburn sufferers.

If you are suffering more than twice a week you may have acid reflux disease - also known as GERD. Why is this important?

Not all heartburn is caused by GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). Occasional heartburn can be caused by a variety of factors but if you have regular episodes there are things you can do to help.

WHAT CAN I DO?

If you have regular heartburn the first thing you should do is stay away from regular use of antacids. Antacids can relieve the pain of occasional heartburn, but because they are designed to neutralize the acids in your stomach they can cause the stomach to create MORE acid - a cycle called 'acid rebound'. Some medications can also cause diarrhea or constipation or even increase the risk of food poisoning by inhibiting the growth of good bacteria.

Watch out for trigger foods such as caffeine, alcohol, citrus, chocolate, minty, spicy or tomato-based foods as well as fatty or fried foods, onions or garlic.

Being overweight or smoking also increases the risk of GERD and lifestyle changes may help to control the symptoms.

Activities such as lying down after a meal, bending forward, lifting heavy items or eating large meals can bring acid reflux on. Avoiding these activities after a meal, eating smaller portions and raising the head of your bed several inches may help.

Some natural products such as orange peel extract are being researched for their abilities to curb heartburn.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Anyone. But it should be noted that pregnant women, children, overweight individuals and smokers are all likely candidates.

Young babies have immature digestive systems. National Digestive Diseases (NDDIC) says that most children outgrow GERD by the time they are one year old. However, because the symptoms are painful precautions like frequent burping and keeping the infant upright for 30 minutes after eating can reduce the occurrence.

Older children may have to take similar precautions in diet and activity as adults. You should always consult your doctor when you suspect GERD to avoid future complications.

Being overweight or pregnant increases the pressure in the abdomen. 25% of pregnant women experience heartburn at some time during their pregnancy.

If you suspect GERD it is important to contact your doctor as there can be harmful side effects of persistent heartburn including scaring of the esophagus, asthma, erosion of the teeth and even increased risk of esophageal cancer. Frequent, persistent heartburn can also be a symptom of other serious conditions and should be checked on by a professional.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

In The News:


Court upholds LA conviction on DNA from coffee cup
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 14 hours ago
In 2006, Adolph Laudenberg was convicted of the 1972 strangling death of Lois Petrie, based on DNA evidence that detectives collected from the coffee cup ...
Killer loses coffee cup appeal Long Beach Press-Telegram
Court upholds LA conviction on DNA from coffee cup Press-Enterprise
all 24 news articles

Gourmet coffee eats into Panama forest
Reuters - 14 hours ago
By Andrew Beatty PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Panama's gourmet coffees fetch record prices for their prized flavors but the strong demand is convincing some ...

The specialty coffee industry is struggling against the idea that ...
guardian.co.uk, UK - 22 hours ago
Nicholas Cho has become an infamous figure in the world of gourmet coffee. In February, the owner of Murky Coffee had his Washington DC location shut down ...

World's Most Expensive Cups Of Coffee
Forbes, NY - 11 hours ago
Just 17 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the one-time capital of communism is now home to the world's most expensive cup of coffee. ...

Police Arrest Robbers Who Throw Hot Coffee At Clerks
WISN.com, WI - 14 hours ago
The robbers threw hot coffee in the clerk's face, police said. That clerk flagged down a patrol officer who caught up with one of the suspects in the ...
Robbery spree comes to light Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Arrest May Have Solved 20 Robberies Today's TMJ4
Arrests in Gas Station Robberies Newsradio 620
Milwaukee Journal Sentinelall 5 news articles

Forbes

In Depth: World's Priciest Cup Of Coffee
Forbes, NY - 8 hours ago
The average price for a cup of coffee in New York is $3.75. That may seem extravagant, but according to a survey compiled by Mercer, an American consulting ...

Study: Recovering Alcoholics Drink More Coffee, Smoke More Cigarettes
FOXNews - 21 hours ago
In movie scenes where characters attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, they are often seen drinking coffee or smoking cigarettes. A study, which will appear ...

SEDC coffee club alleged
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - 8 hours ago
Southeastern Economic Development Corp. board member Richard Geisler will, in fact, be sidelined for the discussion of president Carolyn Smith's fate. ...

Coffee marketing permits suspended
Business Daily Africa, Kenya - 18 hours ago
July 24, 2008: Kenya risks losing major investments in the coffee industry following a Coffee Board decision to suspend the licensing of new players. ...

McDonald's pays to place fake coffee on real newscasts
USA Today - Jul 22, 2008
McDonald's is paying KVVU-TV to place "two logo-emblazoned plastic cups" filled with fake coffee on the Fox affiliate's anchor desk in Las Vegas, ...
coffee - Google News

The Best Cup of Drip Coffee Possible

With a "good" cup of coffee costing almost as much... Read More

Creating the Perfect Foam

Most places that serve cappuccinos in the United States have... Read More

Gourmet Coffee Habit Costing Consumers as Much as $1,500 Yearly

Gourmet coffee consumers rarely consider the cost of their daily... Read More

Arabica Coffee Beans Are Pricey Yet Priceless!

Arabica coffee beans are known for a better-flavored coffee. There... Read More

Ethiopian Coffee

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, yet it is not... Read More

Gourmet Coffee Stops Decrease Gas Mileage;Home Brewed Premium Coffee Reduce Traffic Congestion

A researcher has stirred up the commuter coffee mug with... Read More

How to Make Restaurant Quality Coffee At Home

Have you ever wondered how restaurants get their coffee to... Read More

Coffee in America

American coffee? Technically there is no such thing, at least... Read More

There is More to Motivation Than Meets the Coffee

The stress of unemployment can really take a toll on... Read More

Coffee Roasting De-mystified

How many different names have you run across for different... Read More

Coffee - Is It The Most Popular Beverage Of All Time?

Around 850 A.D it is thought that a lone shepherd... Read More

Diabetes and the Preventive Power of Coffee!

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most rapidly... Read More

Are Coffee Enemas The Real Thing?

Coffee enemas detoxify the liver, as well as cleans the... Read More

La Minita Coffee ? It?s in the Green Beans

La Minita; Spanish for "The Little Gold Mine" says it... Read More

Tea at Sea

Marylyn Monroe famed amongst other things for her love of... Read More

Coffee Cupping For The Fun Of It

Coffee cupping is a method to compare the different characteristics... Read More

Coffee Is A Historic Beverage, And It Makes For A Great Gift

Ahhhhh, coffee... a fantastic dark beverage that wakes us up... Read More

Make Money In Your Own Coffee Business

A 2001 survey by the National Coffee Association indicated that... Read More

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Coffee Consumption

Coffee is heavily studied, but study results contradict one another.... Read More

Gano Coffee - Can Coffee Be Good For You?

Coffee, in all sorts, could be a "pick me up... Read More

Flavored Coffee Syrup Adds A New Dimension To Beans

Flavored coffee syrup is a popular addition to any coffee... Read More

Your Kitchen Wants to be Sexy - Top 5 Snazzy, Sexy Coffee Makers that are Sensational

When it comes to coffee makers there are thousands to... Read More

Kenya Coffee History

In Kenya coffee production dates back several hundred years. Coffee... Read More

The Coffee Culture in the USA

It wasn't until I moved to the US that I... Read More

Coffee Drink Basics

When you enter a coffee house, you have a multitude... Read More