If you feel a burning sensation rising from your stomach after your GLP-1 injection, you are not imagining it. Some people experience more reflux and heartburn in the first weeks of treatment. Understanding what is happening in your body helps you manage the discomfort better.
Acid reflux and heartburn can get worse with GLP-1 agonists. Find out why this happens and what actually helps.
How GLP-1 affects the stomach
GLP-1 agonists act on the digestive system by slowing gastric emptying. This mechanism is what creates the feeling of prolonged satiety and helps you eat less. At the same time, the stomach may produce more acid during this longer digestion period. The result in some people is precisely reflux.
Other factors play a role. The reduction in food intake itself can alter the stomach acid balance. Some users also report increased sensitivity to foods or drinks that previously caused no trouble.
Keeping track of what triggers your symptoms and when they appear lets you identify clear patterns. That information is valuable for your doctor to decide whether a dose adjustment or a protective medication is warranted.
Log symptoms with intensity and tie them to each dose to spot patterns.
Track it in the appWhat to do right away
Some practical steps help reduce discomfort while your body adjusts.
Eat slowly and in smaller portions. The less food in your stomach at once, the less acid it needs to produce. Many people find that overeating is the main trigger.
Do not lie down right after eating. Wait at least two hours before going to bed. If symptoms appear at night, raising the head of your bed can make a difference.
Drink water throughout the day but avoid large volumes at once. Drinking half a litre of water between meals puts pressure on the stomach.
Alcohol, coffee, very fatty foods and spicy dishes make reflux worse for most people. You do not need to eliminate everything at once, but pay attention to what happens after each one.
