The Facts About Indigestion and Heartburn

Many family dinners are made more interesting when you get into a disagreement with the patriarch. What's less fun is when your turkey dinner decides to disagree with you, too.

Towson Patch spoke with Dr. Andrew Rosenstein, a gastroenterologist at for the facts and his tips on how to spot, prevent and treat the ailments most common around the holidays.

• Heartburn and indigestion are very common around the holidays, and the typical turkey dinner creates a perfect storm. Foods like turkey or pork are often paired with irritants like alcohol. "Fatty meals can increase your exposure to heartburn and a lot of the things that people eat around the holidays are fatty," Rosenstein said. "Not only are people eating these large meals but they're eating foods that produce acid reflux."
• More than half of all Americans will experience acid reflux at least once a month. But if you have acid reflux more than three times a week, it could signal an increased risk of esophageal cancer. "It's a rare cancer [about 15,000 cases in the United States each year], but if you have daily reflux your risk of esophageal is 17 times greater than normal population," Rosenstein said.
• Common antacids like Tums and Mylanta or antihistamines like Pepcid and Zantac are very effective, Rosenstein said. The antihistamines cause your stomach to produce less acid. Antacids can be taken before and after a meal.
• The best way to avoid having to use any of these tips? Exercise moderation. Don't eat two to three hours before you go to bed, and limit your alcohol consumption. "If you go home and you're feeling miserable and you can't sleep that night, it can really dampen that holiday for you," Rosenstein said.
• If you experience continued symptoms of heartburn or indigestion or have trouble swallowing, seek medical attention.

Have a happy and safe holiday dinner!