Hi Friends,
Dr. Storage here.
Before we dive into today’s topic, I’d like to wish you and your loved ones a joyous (and early) Happy Thanksgiving.
This is the time of year when patients (and honestly, plenty of friends and family) tell me things like:
“Tina… why does Thanksgiving dinner destroy my esophagus?”
Or:
“I swear a single bite of stuffing gives me heartburn now. Am I broken?”
And every year, I remind people of something you might need to hear too:
Reflux isn’t just about acid. It’s about why that acid is getting where it doesn’t belong… especially after big holiday meals.
So before you reach for the Tums or double-dose your PPI this Thanksgiving…
Let’s talk about the real root causes of reflux, and what you can actually do to feel better.
Why You Should Read This Now
• Thanksgiving meals are the perfect storm for reflux: larger portions, richer foods, more alcohol, and more slouching on couches afterward.
• The #1 mistake people make is assuming reflux = “too much acid.” It doesn’t.
• If you're relying on antacids every week — or every day — read this carefully. It may not be an acid problem at all, and you might benefit from a different approach.
• Understanding the real reason acid escapes the stomach can help you fix reflux more effectively (and with fewer meds).
Today’s Opponent:
Dreaded Thanksgiving Reflux
In my clinic, I see this constantly, especially around the holidays:
Someone has reflux.
Their chest burns.
Their throat feels raw.
They’re clearing their throat throughout the day.
They feel a lump when they swallow.
So they assume:
“I must be making too much acid.”
Then they take PPIs or antacids and wonder why they only get partial relief.
Here’s the truth I shared in my recent TikTok post (and it often surprises people):
Reflux often isn’t about excess acid. It’s about a malfunction in the system that keeps acid in the stomach where it belongs.
That malfunction can come from:
1. A weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
This is the little valve between your stomach and esophagus.
Holiday meals = bigger volumes + more pressure = easier for acid to escape.
2. A hiatal hernia
Part of the stomach slips upward, making it easier for acid to slosh back.
3. Esophageal dysmotility
If the esophagus doesn’t contract properly, acid lingers and irritates longer.
4. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)
An allergic condition of the esophagus (not colon — I misspoke quickly in the TikTok) that causes inflammation and poor function.
5. Stress + gut–brain signaling issues
Stress makes reflux significantly worse by increasing sensitivity and altering motility.
6. Gut dysbiosis
Imbalances in gut bacteria can affect motility and the coordination between stomach and esophagus.
So yes… acid blockers help temporarily. But if you’re still dealing with symptoms, the real question is:
Why is the acid escaping in the first place?
And once you understand that, your reflux management becomes so much easier… and so much more effective.
“Reflux is rarely about making too much acid. It’s about why the acid escapes.
Fix the why, not just the acid, and you’ll finally get relief.”
“When someone tells me their reflux isn’t improving with medication, I start looking for the root or an additional cause. Treat the cause, and symptom improvement will usually follow.”
5 Thanksgiving-Specific Tips (From a GI Doc)
These are the 5 exact things I tell friends and family the week of Thanksgiving:
👉 Don’t lie down on the couch after dinner.
Take a 10-minute walk instead.
This alone can reduce reflux episodes by nearly 50%.
👉 Stop eating 2–3 hours before bed.
Thanksgiving leftovers at 9pm are reflux grenades.
👉 Wear something that doesn’t constrict your abdomen.
Yes… your jeans can give you reflux.
👉 Save acidic foods (cranberry sauce, wine, tomatoes) for midday.
Nighttime reflux is chemically harsher and causes more damage.
👉 If you know big meals trigger reflux, eat smaller portions more slowly.
Your LES opens more easily when your stomach is overly full.
All right, now go have an amazing Thanksgiving (:
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