Is coffee consumption related to chronic heartburn?

Question

I'm asking because recently my husband has started to have heartburn every day. Nothing has changed about his diet. He eats a balanced diet, is not under stress and only drinks 1 cup of coffee each morning.

So what could be causing the chronic heartburn all of a sudden?? We're puzzled!

Answer 1

Actually, some recent studies suggest that drinking alcohol and coffee may not cause acid reflux as once thought (although they can definitely worsen symptoms if you have already been diagnosed).

Excess salt might be a culprit.

Or your husband might be prone to acid reflux, especially if it is in his family (hereditary) and with age it is starting to become apparent. That might explain why even though his eating and drinking habits haven't changed, he has started to develop this problem.

Sort of like the way we can get by with less sleep as teens and young adults, but later in life we really feel it the lack of sleep more and may suffer pronounced symptoms when sleep deprived.

The body changes as we age, so it's very possible your husband's digestive system is not quite as "resilient" as it used to be.

I would just treat it with OTC stuff (before meals is best rather than antacids after) unless it becomes "more than annoying" or painful. I would then suggest a trip to the doctor for some stronger medication because you want to avoid damage to the esophagus which can necessitate major surgery and drastic diet changes.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I THINK THAT COFFEE IS NOT WHAT CAUSES IT, ACTUALLY IS MORE LIKELY TO BE THE LOCK OF ENOUGH WATER IN YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM....Water is essential for the digestion, and if not enough,then, the acids from your stomach come up too strong and it can causes heart burn...so I'll suggest plenty of water and a visit to the good ol' "dacta"

Answer 4

It probably isn't the 1 cup of coffee. Does he drink a lot of water? He should. Might have to visit a doc on this one.

Answer 5

Coffee probably didn't cause the heartburn but it doesn't help. I can say this because I'm just getting over a bought with acid reflux in which I had to take presecription medication for about 3 months. What happens with acid reflux is that the acids in your stomach go back up through your esophagus and burn it. Your stomach has a protective lining that protects it from digestive acids, but your esophogus does not. Coffee is pretty acidic, so if your esophogus has been burned, coffee can be like adding salt to the wound.

Personally I love chocolate, but chocolate may be the worst culprit of them all in my experience. Other things that cause acid reflux are eating big meals (because when your stomach gets too full it can push the acid up), eating too quickly, anything fried, and taco bell sauce (one of my favorites that I had to give up.)

As far as over the counter drugs are concerned I have found that Pepcid AC is a Godsend, especially now that I'm not taking any prescription medication. My wife is a doctor and she takes it as well. Any time we go out to eat or drink alchohol (which is another thing to watch) we take 20mg.

If your husband has pain all the time then he should go to a doctor.

Answer 6

I hope not...but, I have heard that aspirin will cause you to have headaches if you take them too often. So, maybe the same will be true with baking soda and water.

Answer 7

I suffered with the same until i was diagnosed with hiatal hernia after having an endoscopy (camera down throat) doc gave me omeprozole ant acid now no probs.