Feeling bloated and experiencing acid reflux in front of (under) the Christmas tree

The season of fine dining and feasting is fast approaching: Christmas. Not everyone copes well with this period of excessive indulgence. Common complaints include feeling bloated and acid reflux. Other accompanying symptoms can include flatulence, gastrointestinal problems, or nausea. The main reasons for an unpleasant feeling of fullness are eating too much, eating too quickly, and eating foods that are too fatty. This leads to an overload of the digestive system and can cause pressure in the upper abdomen. Acid reflux is exacerbated by large, hard-to-digest meals and increased consumption of alcohol, nicotine, or coffee. The reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus can trigger typical symptoms such as heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, or coughing.

There are a few good tips for managing these unpleasant and stressful symptoms: Take enough time to eat and chew. Try not to eat too much. Avoid carbonated drinks and foods that cause flatulence. Don't eat too late in the evening. Warmth and light massage can also help, as can a digestive walk, which is beneficial for most sufferers.

If you experience health problems despite following these tips, the following remedies from your MedicaPlus pharmacy may help: digestive teas with caraway, fennel, and peppermint; spagyric sprays with bitter substances that have antispasmodic and digestive properties; acid-neutralizing remedies in the form of gels; tablets that inhibit acid production in the stomach and thus provide relief.

With this in mind, we wish you a merry, peaceful, and symptom-free Christmas season!

Alfred Chappuis and the team at Central Pharmacy