Heartburn
Learn about heartburn in people with cancer in this guide from The ONE Group (Oncology – Nutrition – Exercise) at Penn State College of Medicine.
What you should know
What is heartburn?
Heartburn is a condition that causes a burning sensation in the chest.Heartburn is caused by acid reflux – stomach acid refluxing back into the esophagus.
Symptoms
Developing a sour taste in your mouth
Pain or swelling in the throat
Burning sensation in the chest
Nausea or loss of appetite
Dry mouth
Gum irritation
Bad breath
Stomach noises
What you can do: Improving your eating to minimize heartburn
Foods that trigger heartburn
Fried foods, such as onion rings and French fries
Full-fat dairy products, such as butter, whole milk, regular cheese or sour cream
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, tomatoes and pineapple
Chocolate
Garlic, onions and spicy foods
Caffeine
Mint
Foods that help with heartburn
Vegetables such as green beans, broccoli, cauliflower and cucumbers
Ginger
Oatmeal
Non-citrus fruits such as melons, bananas and apples
Lean meats and seafood such as chicken, turkey and fish
Egg whites
Healthy fats such as avocados, walnuts and flax seeds
Oils such as olive oil, sesame oil and sunflower oil
Lifestyle changes that can help to minimize heartburn
Try to avoid stress. Stress can cause heartburn or make the heartburn worse. Try meditating in the mornings to relieve stress.
Sometimes it helps to lose weight. Ask for a referral to a dietitian. They can help with a more personalized diet.
Exercise moderately for 15 to 30 minutes every day.
Wait an hour after eating to exercise.
Avoid laying down after eating a meal.
Try not to eat within two to three hours before you go to bed. This can help prevent the secretion of extra acids. Laying down can make the pain worse.
Sleep with your head and shoulders elevated.
Enjoy smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Eat each meal slowly.
Wear loose clothing.
Keep a food diary to note which foods cause heartburn.
Avoid tobacco.
Limit caffeine and alcohol.
Notes
Contact your physician if:
You are having symptoms of heartburn. Your physician may prescribe medication to help relieve the heartburn.
You notice blood in your bowel movements.
You have difficulty breathing, eating or swallowing.
References
American Cancer Society