Most of these organisms reside in the gut, and help process food into energy, absorb nutrients, strengthen immunity and more. Here are just some of the things probiotics can do for your gut health:

• Ease gas and bloating
• Reduce abdominal pain or cramping
• Support regular bowel movements
• Manufacture essential vitamins such as vitamin K
• Prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria

Beyond these benefits, studies have shown that certain strains of probiotics may even reduce the risk of developing certain diseases, ease the symptoms of some diseases, alleviate allergy symptoms and reduce negative effects of lactose intolerance. Other research has suggested that probiotics can help with depression and promote mental health.

Foods High in Probiotics

While it is not necessary for you to do anything to maintain probiotics in your gut, there are things you can do to support this healthy system. One is to consume fermented foods that are high in probiotics. Here are some to try:

• Yogurt or Kefir. Most yogurt is high in probiotics. However, yogurt that has been heat treated after fermentation does not contain any live beneficial probiotics. Check the label before purchasing yogurt and make sure it says that the contents contain “live and active cultures” like Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.
• Sauerkraut. When cabbage is fermented, it becomes sauerkraut, a food dense in probiotics and other nutrients. Try including it as a regular side dish at the dinner table.
• Kimchi. Kimchi, a traditional Korean food, is another cabbage-based fermented food high in probiotics. Unlike sauerkraut, kimchi can be very spicy, although there are many variations on the basic recipe. Because of this, you may want to try several different kinds of kimchi to find one you like best.
• Miso Soup. Miso soup, a traditional Japanese food, is made from fermented beans, rye, rice or barley. It is very easy to make: just purchase miso paste, then dissolve a spoonful in hot water. It has a mild, salty flavor.
• Pickles. Pickles are fermented cucumbers. Most contain probiotics, however, like yogurt, some may have been heat-treated and lost their probiotic properties, so check the label before purchasing.
• Kombucha. Kombucha is a type of fermented tea high in probiotics that has become popular in recent years. Today, you can buy kombucha at most grocery stores. It comes in a variety of flavors and is low in calories too.
• Soy Milk. If you are lactose-intolerant, but want to consume more probiotics, try soy milk. Check the label before you buy, though, to make sure it contains live and active cultures.

If you have tried the foods on the list and are having a hard time finding ones you like, you can still add probiotics to your diet by taking probiotic supplements. However, before you do, make sure to check with your doctor before taking any type of vitamin or supplement.

Sugar Aids Production of Bad Bacteria

One final tip for supporting the probiotic system in your gut: eat less refined sugar. In addition to the many negative consequences of eating refined sugar — such as greater risk of obesity — it also promotes the growth of bad bacteria and upsets your gut flora balance.

Are you taking medicine three or more times a week for heartburn? If so, read the warning label. Not all heartburn medicines are meant to be used that often, and it could be harming your health. 

Antacid Tablets

Antacids like Tums and Rolaids contain calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide to help neutralize the acid in your stomach. They can provide fast, short-term relief and do not have lasting harmful side effects if taken as directed. Follow dosage recommendations though because high levels of calcium carbonate in the body can cause constipation, nausea, mood changes or even heart rate changes. But acid neutralizers are considered safe when taken properly and are often used for calcium supplementation as well as heartburn relief.

H-2 Blockers and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

H-2 blockers like Zantac, Tagamet and Pepcid reduce the production of stomach acid. They are effective in treating peptic ulcers and reflux in people who have heartburn a few times per month but are not intended for everyday use. Some research suggests that overuse of H-2 blockers can cause headaches, constipation and nausea, but their long-term use has not been extensively studied.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Prevacid, Prilosec or Nexium are stronger than H-2 blockers and work by blocking acid-producing cells in the lining of the stomach. They provide lasting relief from symptoms of GERD and are available without a prescription.

While PPIs are helpful in managing severe heartburn, they are not recommended for more than a 14-day treatment. Recent studies show that overuse of PPIs can be harmful to your health and should not be used long-term. Side effects of proton pump inhibitors include infections, bone fractures and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Research has even connecting extended PPI drug use to increased risk of stomach cancer.

Are you trying to manage your heartburn symptoms on your own? It might be time to call a gastroenterologist. Your doctor can diagnose your symptoms and help you begin an effective treatment plan. There also may be some lifestyle changes and diet modifications that can jump-start the healing process, so make an appointment today.

Actually, each term has a distinct meaning. Here is how they are different:

Heartburn

Heartburn is not a medical condition, but a symptom. It describes the mild to severe burning pain felt in the chest or throat when acid from the stomach seeps up into the esophagus. Heartburn pain can feel dull, sharp or tight, and it often moves up to the throat. Some people describe the pain as a feeling that something is lodged behind the breastbone.

Heartburn has nothing to do with your heart, but it can be mistaken for a heart attack because of the location of the pain. Over 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least monthly, and it usually occurs after a meal.

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus due to a weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When functioning properly, the LES tightens to close the passage between the stomach and esophagus. If the muscle is weak or fails to tighten properly, gastric acid and digested food can back up into the esophagus.

Common symptoms of acid reflux may include cough, sore throat, sour taste in the mouth, and burning in the chest and throat.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is an acronym for gastroesophageal reflux disease. When acid reflux occurs more than twice per week, it can be diagnosed as GERD. Prolonged exposure to gastric acid creates inflammation and increases risk for esophageal tissue damage which can lead to cancer.

Symptoms of GERD can include heartburn, regurgitation, bad breath, damage to tooth enamel, dry cough, and difficulty swallowing.

If you are experiencing acid reflux on a regular basis, it is time to see a gastroenterologist (a physician with specialized training in diseases of the digestive tract). Antacids and H-2 blockers might offer temporary relief, and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) can reduce levels of stomach acid, but they should only be used for a 14-day treatment (source: AARP).

Occasionally, everyone experiences acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux (GER). When you experience reflux more than twice per week, you might actually have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Anatomy of GERD

GERD is a condition in which gastric acid persistently and regularly backflows into the esophagus due to a malfunctioning valve. When you swallow, a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach, and then it closes again. Sometimes, this muscle relaxes or weakens and allows stomach acid and digested food to move upwards.

Acid in the esophagus can cause symptoms including:

• Burning in chest
• Burning in throat
• Chest pain
• Chronic cough
• Sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Pain lying down

Dangers of Untreated GERD

Chronic, untreated GERD can result in damage of the esophageal lining and lead to conditions like:

• Reflux esophagitis – Exposure to stomach acid initiates inflammation that damages the lining of the esophagus. This often causes chest pain and difficulty swallowing.  
• Silent reflux – Stomach acid can back up into the throat, larynx or even nasal passage and cause inflammation.
• Barrett’s esophagus – As the esophagus tries to heal, the cells may change in order to adapt and protect the esophagus. These changes can increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Talk to a Gastroenterologist

If you have come to accept heartburn as a way of life, it is time to reconsider. Make an appointment with a gastroenterologist – a physician who specializes in treating and managing digestive conditions – and begin your journey toward digestive health today.