Super Bowl Sunday is as much about food as it is the big game. Annually, Americans spend an estimated $55 million on food and 10 million hours preparing snacks for footballs biggest day. It is second only to Thanksgiving in the amount of food that Americans consume on one day, with an estimated 30.4 million pounds of snack foods being consumed.

According to gastroenterologist Kevin Dolehide, D.O., who is on the medical staff at Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, Ill., the salty, greasy foods most often served at Super Bowl parties are also known triggers for heartburn. Its no wonder that convenience stores report an increase in antacid sales of 20 percent on the Monday following the Super Bowl.

Heartburn occurs when acid from the stomach refluxes into the esophagus, causing irritation, Dr. Dolehide explained. This happens when the lower esophageal opening is not able to block stomach contents and is overwhelmed by gastric acid that backs up into the esophagus. While it does not typically indicate a serious health condition, heartburn is uncomfortable and extremely common.

Dr. Dolehide offers the following tips for tackling heartburn during Super Bowl festivities:
Recognize heartburn triggers. In general, most of the foods we eat at Super Bowl parties can contribute to heartburn, said Dr. Dolehide. If you know youre prone to heartburn, consider this when making choices about what to eat. Choosing a slice of pizza or wings will likely lead to discomfort; try a deli sandwich and vegetable tray instead. Foods and drinks that are known to cause heartburn include onions, chocolate, alcoholic beverages, caffeinated and carbonated drinks, fatty or fried foods, garlic, spicy foods, mint flavorings and tomato-based foods, like spaghetti sauce, salsa, chili and pizza.

Dont overeat. How much you eat is as important as what you eat, said Dr. Dolehide. Eating smaller, more frequent meals is better than consuming a large amount of food in one sitting. Take small portions and return for more later.

Get off the couch. Lying down or bending over at the waist following a meal contributes to heartburn. Acid production is at its highest level after meals, so it is best to wait three hours after eating before lying down, explained Dr. Dolehide. Try moving around the room or standing for parts of the game while you are digesting.

Consider over-the-counter solutions. Many over-the-counter medications are available at drug stores for fighting heartburn. If you know youll be eating foods that give you heartburn, preempt it by taking medication beforehand, said Dr. Dolehide. Histamine receptor blockers can be purchased over-the-counter and taken before eating to help slow the production of stomach acid. Antacids are also an option, but only soak up acid in the stomach and do not prevent it from forming. Over-the-counter medications only give temporary relief for heartburn, said Dr. Dolehide. If you regularly need these medications, talk to you doctor about other solutions.

Heartburn may indicate a more serious health condition, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If symptoms persist, contact your physician to get a better understanding of GERD, said Dr. Dolehide. Your doctor can provide a diagnosis and explain treatment options.

To make an appointment with Dr. Dolehide, or another physician on staff at Advocate South Suburban Hospital, call 1-800-3-ADVOCATE (1-800-323-8622).

Advocate South Suburban Hospital is a 289-bed, acute care facility that serves Chicagos south suburbs. In addition to offering a wide array of health care services, the not-for-profit hospital provides free screenings and a variety of other outreach services throughout the community. As part of Advocate Health Care one of the leading, integrated health care systems in the nation Advocate South Suburban Hospital can be reached at www.advocatehealth.com/southsub or by calling 1-800-3-ADVOCATE (1-800-323-8622).