Acid reflux, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is a common gastrointestinal condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, and regurgitation. It is usually triggered by lifestyle factors like unhealthy food consumption, alcohol intake, smoking, and extreme weight gain. Many people also find that their acidity and heartburn symptoms peak or worsen during the winter, which is why people who usually experience indigestion need to stay more cautious of the triggers.
Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Balaji Musunuri, Associate Professor, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College & Hospital, MAHE, Manipal, explained the link between winter and GERD symptoms and what could be done to manage them.
Also Read: GERD: Foods That Trigger Acid Reflux and Heartburn
Does Acid Reflux Worsen In Winters?
According to Dr Musunuri, there is no direct correlation between acid reflux and winters. However, winter can indirectly affect the severity of symptoms for some individuals, he said.
Some of the factors that may contribute to worsening acid reflux symptoms include:
Dietary factors
During winters, many people tend to consume heavy, fatty, and spicy foods, which can increase symptoms of acid reflux. A study published in the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility found that foods like hot spicy stews, fried foods, doughnuts, breads, ramen noodles, coffee, pizza, topokki, rice cakes, champon noodles, and hotdogs were some of the triggers of frequent acid reflux symptoms.
Dr Musunuri said, “These foods can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle responsible for preventing stomach acid from entering the oesophagus.”
Furthermore, hot beverages like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate can also increase stomach acid causing increased acid reflux, the doctor added.
Reduced physical activity
Obesity is one of the leading risk factors for acid reflux. If you’re suffering from acid reflux, it is important that you maintain a healthy weight. Since many people take a step back from regular physical activity during winter, it can contribute to weight gain, in turn worsening symptoms of GERD.
Unhealthy lifestyle habits
In addition to unhealthy weight gain and eating processed, spicy foods, certain habits like drinking alcohol and smoking can also trigger reflux of stomach acid into the oesophagus.
In a 2019 review of 29 studies, researchers identified alcohol consumption as a significant risk factor for GERD. Higher alcohol intake and increased drinking frequency showed a stronger association with GERD. The study highlighted potential cell damage in the esophageal and gastric linings due to alcohol, impacting both the esophageal function in healthy individuals and exacerbating symptoms in those with esophageal inflammation.
Also Read: Home remedies for acidity
Tips To Manage The Indigestion
Managing indigestion during winters involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and medical interventions. These include:
- Go for lighter, easily digestible and frequent meals and avoid trigger foods, such as fried foods, spicy dishes, citrus fruits, caffeine, and carbonated beverages
- Choose high-fibre foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins
- Stay hydrated during winters to prevent dryness and support digestion
- Incorporate regular physical activity
- In the event of night-time acid reflux, raise your head off your bed by placing a few pillows
- Consult a gastroenterologist if symptoms do not go away; they can prescribe medications that may help
If symptoms continue to worsen, Dr Musunuri recommended getting an endoscopy test to look for any ulcers and to adequately treat the disease.
Conclusion
Although there is no direct link between acid reflux and winters, certain factors might contribute to increasing symptoms. “By making dietary adjustments, staying hydrated, engaging in regular exercise, and using other management techniques, individuals can effectively manage indigestion and alleviate acid reflux symptoms during the winter,” Dr Musunuri concluded.