The holiday season brings gatherings with family and friends, celebratory meals, and—for millions of Americans—a significant uptick in heartburn and acid reflux symptoms. If you spent the past few weeks reaching for antacids more often than usual or propping yourself up on extra pillows just to sleep comfortably, you’re far from alone. For residents throughout Queens and Long Island, the new year presents an opportunity to address persistent digestive discomfort rather than simply managing it meal by meal.
Understanding why reflux flares during the holidays and recognizing when symptoms warrant professional evaluation can help you start 2026 with a plan for lasting relief.
What Happens to Your Digestive System During the Holidays
Holiday eating patterns create a perfect storm for acid reflux. Larger portion sizes, richer foods, later meal times, and increased alcohol consumption all contribute to symptoms that may linger well into January.
When you eat a large meal, your stomach produces more acid to break down the increased volume of food. Simultaneously, the pressure inside your stomach rises, which can force acid upward through the lower esophageal sphincter—the muscular valve designed to keep stomach contents where they belong. Fatty foods slow gastric emptying, meaning food sits in your stomach longer and acid production continues for an extended period. Add in peppermint desserts, chocolate, citrus, tomato-based dishes, and alcoholic beverages—all common holiday staples—and you have a recipe for significant discomfort.
Dr. Mit Shah, a board-certified gastroenterologist at The Gastroenterology Practice, notes that many patients report their worst reflux episodes occurring during the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. The combination of dietary changes, disrupted sleep schedules, and holiday stress creates conditions where even people who rarely experience heartburn may find themselves symptomatic.
When Occasional Heartburn Becomes Something More
Everyone experiences heartburn occasionally. That burning sensation behind the breastbone after a spicy meal or a night of overindulgence typically resolves on its own or responds quickly to over-the-counter antacids. However, when heartburn occurs frequently—twice a week or more—it may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD.
GERD develops when the lower esophageal sphincter weakens or relaxes inappropriately, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus regularly. Over time, this repeated acid exposure can damage the esophageal lining, leading to inflammation, ulceration, and potentially more serious complications including Barrett’s esophagus—a precancerous condition that requires ongoing monitoring.
Warning signs that suggest your reflux may require professional evaluation include:
- Persistent Symptoms: heartburn occurring more than twice weekly despite lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications
- Difficulty Swallowing: food feeling stuck in your chest or throat, or pain when swallowing
- Regurgitation: sour or bitter-tasting fluid backing up into your throat or mouth
- Chronic Cough or Hoarseness: unexplained respiratory symptoms, particularly worse at night or upon waking
- Chest Pain: while cardiac causes must always be ruled out first, GERD can cause chest discomfort that mimics heart-related pain
- Unintended Weight Loss: losing weight without trying, which may indicate complications affecting your ability to eat comfortably
- Nighttime Symptoms: waking from sleep due to reflux, coughing, or choking sensations
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, scheduling a consultation with a gastroenterologist makes sense—particularly as you’re setting health priorities for the new year.
How Gastroenterologists Diagnose and Treat Chronic Reflux
When you visit The Gastroenterology Practice for reflux concerns, the evaluation begins with a thorough review of your symptoms, medical history, dietary habits, and any medications you’re currently taking. Some medications, including certain blood pressure drugs, sedatives, and anti-inflammatory medications, can worsen reflux symptoms.
Depending on your presentation, Dr. Shah or Dr. Davinder Singh may recommend an upper endoscopy (also called an EGD) to visualize your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine directly. This procedure, performed under sedation for your comfort, allows the gastroenterologist to identify inflammation, ulcers, strictures, or precancerous changes that wouldn’t be visible through other diagnostic methods. With an annual volume exceeding 2,000 upper endoscopies, the team at The Gastroenterology Practice brings extensive experience to every procedure.
Dr. Singh, who completed advanced training at both the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic and serves as a member of the American Gastroenterological Association, emphasizes that early evaluation of chronic reflux can prevent complications. Identifying Barrett’s esophagus early, for instance, allows for appropriate surveillance and intervention before progression to esophageal cancer occurs.
Treatment approaches depend on the severity and underlying cause of your symptoms. Options may include prescription-strength acid-suppressing medications, lifestyle modifications tailored to your specific triggers, or in some cases, surgical interventions for patients who don’t respond adequately to medical management.
Lifestyle Strategies That Actually Make a Difference
While medical treatment plays an important role for many patients with chronic reflux, lifestyle modifications remain foundational to symptom control. The good news? January’s fresh-start energy can work in your favor as you implement changes that support digestive comfort.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Large meals increase stomach pressure and acid production. Spreading your daily food intake across smaller portions reduces the burden on your digestive system at any single sitting.
- Time your meals strategically. Eating your last meal at least three hours before lying down gives your stomach time to empty, reducing the likelihood of nighttime reflux. This simple change alone produces significant improvement for many patients.
- Identify your personal triggers. While common culprits include fatty foods, citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, mint, caffeine, and alcohol, individual responses vary. Keeping a food diary can help you pinpoint which foods consistently worsen your symptoms.
- Elevate the head of your bed. Gravity helps keep stomach contents down. Raising the head of your bed six to eight inches (using blocks under the bedposts, not just extra pillows) can reduce nighttime symptoms substantially.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Excess abdominal weight increases pressure on the stomach and promotes reflux. Dr. Shah, who is board-certified in both gastroenterology and internal medicine and is pursuing additional certification in obesity management, can discuss how weight management intersects with digestive health.
- Quit smoking if you haven’t already. Tobacco weakens the lower esophageal sphincter and reduces saliva production, both of which worsen reflux.
The Connection Between Reflux and Other Digestive Concerns
Chronic acid reflux rarely exists in isolation. Many patients who experience GERD also deal with other digestive issues that benefit from comprehensive evaluation. Conditions like H. pylori infection, gastritis, hiatal hernia, and functional dyspepsia can overlap with or contribute to reflux symptoms.
During your consultation, your gastroenterologist will consider the full picture of your digestive health rather than addressing symptoms in isolation. This comprehensive approach—examining how different aspects of your gastrointestinal function interact—often leads to more effective treatment strategies than simply prescribing acid-suppressing medications indefinitely.
The Gastroenterology Practice offers diagnostic and treatment services spanning the entire digestive tract, from esophageal disorders through colon conditions. Whether you’re dealing with reflux alone or suspect other digestive issues may be contributing to your discomfort, the board-certified physicians at both the Queens and Levittown locations provide thorough, personalized care.
Why January Is the Right Time to Address Your Symptoms
If you’ve been living with frequent heartburn, dismissing it as “just something I deal with,” the new year offers a natural inflection point to prioritize your health. Chronic acid reflux isn’t merely uncomfortable—left untreated, it can lead to complications including esophageal strictures, bleeding ulcers, and increased cancer risk.
Many patients delay seeking evaluation because they assume nothing can be done beyond what they’re already trying. In reality, gastroenterologists have access to diagnostic tools and treatment options that go far beyond over-the-counter remedies. Understanding exactly what’s happening in your digestive system allows for targeted intervention that addresses the root cause of your symptoms.
Additionally, if you’ve met your insurance deductible or have flexible spending account funds to use, early January scheduling helps you maximize those benefits before they reset or expire.
Schedule Your Consultation at The Gastroenterology Practice
Don’t let another year pass while managing symptoms that could be effectively treated. The board-certified gastroenterologists at The Gastroenterology Practice—Dr. Mit Shah and Dr. Davinder Singh—bring combined training from prestigious institutions, extensive procedural experience, and a genuine commitment to patient-centered care.
With convenient locations in Queens at 222-15 Northern Boulevard and in Levittown at 2900 Hempstead Turnpike, expert digestive care is accessible throughout Long Island and the surrounding communities. The practice has earned a 5-star reputation built on more than 300 patient reviews, reflecting the quality and compassion patients experience at every visit.
Call the Queens office at (718) 224-1642 or the Levittown office at (516) 882-4280 to schedule your consultation. This January, give yourself the gift of digestive comfort—and start 2026 feeling better than you have in years.
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