a GERD does not give you relief? Feeling of fullness and burning in the chest as if on fire, does it not go away? It can be gastroesophageal reflux disease, a disease that consists in the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus.

The good news is that, as an article on the Metrópoles portal explains, changing habits can help reduce their frequency and even avoid it. Experts advise people to avoid:

1- Consumption of soft drinks

Upon contact with the esophagus, the gas increases pressure within the body and causes GERD. In the stomach, it increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid and irritates the gastrointestinal tract.

2- Drink a lot of coffee

Coffee and other caffeinated drinks, such as yerba mate tea, damage the gastric mucosa and relax the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle responsible for initiating the swallowing process. Relaxation of the esophageal sphincter causes stomach acid to return to the esophagus, causing a burning sensation.

3- Eat chocolate all the time

Chocolate is rich in fat, caffeine and theobromine, three substances that irritate the stomach lining and cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax. Avoid consuming it frequently, and always choose small amounts.

4- Drink alcoholic beverages

Smoking and alcohol abuse damage the digestive system in many ways and can lead to serious complications over time. While eating causes the esophageal valve to relax temporarily, smoking and alcohol weaken the sphincter in the long term, making this problem irreversible.

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