New Year’s Eve is probably the biggest drinking night of the year. Even if you do not typically drink alcohol during the year, you will probably find yourself indulging on this particular holiday – which can be bad news for reflux sufferers. In fact, 94 percent of people say they would have more fun on New Year’s Eve if they did not have to worry about acid reflux causes.
Some of the adverse affects alcohol creates for heartburn sufferers
- Alcohol increases the production of stomach acid.
- Alcohol relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing stomach contents to reflux back up into the esophagus.
- When the LES relaxes, it causes the contractions that occur with swallowing to become erratic.
- Alcohol makes the esophagus more sensitive to stomach acid.
What can you do to avoid heartburn on New Year’s Eve while still popping bottles with the best of them?
- Dilute alcoholic beverages with water or club soda.
- Don’t overdo it. The suggested amounts of alcohol for reflux sufferers are 1-2 mixed drinks, 12-16 ounces of wine or champagne or 2-3 beers.
- When having wine, choose white wine instead of red.
- Plan ahead for relief of heartburn with the over-the-counter medication of your choice.
- When you go to sleep keep your head elevated by placing books under the head of your mattress or several pillows under your head.
- Don’t drink it… shake, pop and spray it.
Champagne Showers
“ Walk in the club with a bottle or two
Shake it, spray it on a body or two
And walk out the party with a hottie or two”
– LMFAO