Ever Have a Maalox Moment?

OK, TGIF. Let’s eat. Good Mexican meal, with fried chips dipped in a salsa made with tomatoes and peppers, and a margarita, maybe even a Screwdriver, great time. About 2:30 AM, everything churned up into one big acid lake, and it’s off to the refrigerator for some milk. I’m not eating Mexican anymore.

Now it’s Saturday, friends want to go to dinner. No way if we eat Mexican, I’m out. Had a case of indigestion that felt like I would self immolate. My throat was on fire.

Fine we’ll go Italian. Great, we’re there. I’ll have wheat pasta and rolls with butter, tomatoes in the sauce, and red wine… Deja Vu … About 2:30 AM, everything churned up into one big acid lake, and it’s off to the refrigerator for some milk. Now I’m not eating Mexican, or Italian anymore.

Who knew that I should avoided the tomatoes, wheat, and bad oils, and that since the liver is most active from 2:00 to 3:00 AM, this is often when problems occur? I do now, but I still like what I like.

What to do?

I found a couple of options, AbsorbAid Powder For Quick Digestion, and AbsorbAid will help digest every food group. It has been scientifically proven to enhance the absorption of vital nutrients up to 71%, and Now Foods Calcium/Magnesium 500/250 mg, tablets. which cost less and the serving size to get 1000mg of calcium in carbonate form and 500mg of magnesium oxide is only two tablets. For relief all day long, take one with breakfast and/or lunch and a couple before bed.

Heart burn, or acid reflux, or GERD, occurs when muscles of the lower esophagus do not function properly. This causes food and acids from the stomach to leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The most frequent symptom of heartburn can be aggravated by foods, certain medications, and other factors.

Here are some other suggestions to improve your heartburn symptoms.

Don't go to bed with a full stomach. Eat meals at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down. This gives food time to digest and empty from your stomach, and acid levels a chance to decrease before putting your body in a position where heartburn is more likely to occur.

Don't overeat. Cut the size of portions at meal times, or try eating four to five small meals instead of three large ones.

Eat slowly. Take time to enjoy eating, don't rush. Try putting your fork down between bites.

Wear loose-fitting clothes.

Avoid heartburn triggers. Stay away from foods and beverages that trigger your heartburn symptoms (for example, onions, peppermint, chocolate, caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, citrus fruits or juices, tomatoes, or high-fat foods). A good way to figure out what foods cause your symptoms is to keep a heartburn diary.

Shed some pounds. If you are overweight, losing weight can help relieve your symptoms.

Stop smoking. Nicotine, one of the main active ingredients in cigarettes, can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that controls the opening between the esophagus and stomach, preventing the acid-containing contents of the stomach from entering the esophagus.

Avoid alcohol. If your aim is to unwind after a stressful day, try exercise, walking, meditation, stretching, or deep breathing instead of drinking alcohol.

Keep a diary or heartburn log. Keep track of when heartburn hits and the specific activities that seem to trigger the incidents.

If your heartburn is worse when lying down:

Raise the head of your bed so that your head and chest are higher than your feet. You can do this by placing six-inch blocks under the bed posts at the head of the bed. Don't use piles of pillows to achieve the same goal. You will only put your head at an angle that can increase pressure on your stomach and make your heartburn worse.

Eat earlier. Try not to eat for at least three hours before you go to sleep.

If your heartburn worsens after you exercise:

Time your meals. Wait at least two hours after a meal before exercising. If you work out any sooner, you may trigger heartburn.

Drink more water. Drink plenty of water before and during exercise to prevent dehydration.