Acid reflux or acidity is a common concern among people,especially in older people.

Having acid reflux is very common, but if they appear everytime with our meal times, then they need to be taken care of.

Some people feel bloated, have a burning effect or belch every time they eat. These are called GERD, a chronic acid reflection condition.

The key to solving these gastric effects lies in the food habits.

In this blog, Chennai Gastro Care will be discussing some diet changes and what to avoid to reduce your acid refluxes.

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD is a digestive disease in which stomach acid or bile irritates the food pipe lining.

It is most commonly known as acid reflux.

When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the bottom of the oesophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow into the stomach. Then the sphincter closes again.

If the sphincter does not relax as is typical or it weakens, stomach acid can flow back into the oesophagus. This constant backwash of acid irritates the lining of the oesophagus, often causing it to become inflamed.

Have you not heard the elders in your home complaining about the acidity and having difficulty eating normally?

Read more to find out diet, risks and complications related to GERD.

Symptoms of GERD

• Heartburn
• Regurgitation (sensation of acid backing up to your throat or mouth, tastes sour or bitterness )
• Dysphagia (Difficulty swallowing)
• Chest pain (often confused as heart issues )
• Chronic cough
• Sore throat

Risk Factors

People at any age can get GERD. But as you age the frequency becomes more and the symptoms become more evident.

We can now talk about the risk factors constituting the risk or GERD.

It includes:

• Obesity.
• Bulging of the top of the stomach up above the diaphragm, known as a hiatal hernia.
• Pregnancy.
• Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma.
• Delayed stomach emptying.

Other than risk there are also other factors that can increase the frequency or severity of GERD.

This includes common unhealthy practices and diets including:

• Smoking
• Drinking Beverages includes Alcohol and caffeine
• Certain medications
• Eating large meals or at night

Healthy Eating Habits:

• It is better to fill less than ⅓ of your stomach at all times.
• Avoid eating 3 hours prior your bedtime
• Junk foods should not be on your daily menu. Save them for your cheat days. Try eating less fatty, less oily foods other times.
• Pizza, potato chips, cheese and sausages are a big NO NO
• Include more food rich in fibre and alkaline foods like fennel, melons, banana, cauliflower etc.

Foods to avoid to reduce acid reflux

We can discuss the foods that may be considered reasons for frequent acid refluxes.

Foods high in Fat, spice or salt

• Full fat dairy products like ice cream, butter & sour cream
• Fatty cuts of beef / lamb / pork
• Fried food items & processed snacks etc.

Spicy foods

• Chili powder
• Chili peppers ( white, black, cayenne)

Chocolate High theobromine and caffeine in chocolate relaxes lower oesophagus allowing stomach acids to flow back. High fat content can also increase the stomach acids.

Fast food

Onions & Garlic

Tomato-based foods

• Tomato Sauce
• Salsa

Citrus fruits & drinks

• Oranges
• Lemons
• Grapefruit
• Peppermint
• Peppermint teas
• Gums

Carbonated beverages

• Sodas
• Frizzy Beverages

Caffeinated Drinks

• Teas
• Coffees

Meanwhile ginger, lemon water & foods like bananas, melons, cucumbers, cauliflower & nuts can help you relieve some symptoms of GERD.

Complications

In the long term the inflammation in the oesophagus can cause more severe reactions. They can be classified as follows:

Esophagitis

• Stomach acid breaks down tissue in the oesophagus leading to Inflammations, bleeding, open sore etc.
• Esophagitis can cause pain and difficulty in swallowing food.

Esophageal stricture

• Stomach acid causes scar in the lower oesophagus.
• This scar can narrow the food pathway with reduced swallowing capacity.

Barrett Oesophagus

• Damage from acid can cause changes in the tissue lining the lower oesophagus. These changes are associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

FAQs

1.Which foods are good for acid refluxes? Generally, non-citrus fruits like bananas neutralise stomach acids fast.

Bananas are especially recommended due to their high antacid properties and high pH values.

2.Do eating patterns help relieve acid refluxes? Eating smaller portions can help you to relieve discomfort due to acid refluxes. Not lying straight after your meal and avoiding late night snacks are all considered healthy habits preventing acid refluxes.

3.Does this work for everyone? No. It is best to seek professional help to prepare your personalised diet charts. The sensitivity of different foods are different in each person. Also people with other medical conditions have to prepare their diet charts differently, according to their respective medical and nutritional needs.

GERD is often treated through lifestyle changes. However, if you have persistent symptoms it is always advisable to consult a gastroenterologist for detailed evaluation to rule out any underlying conditions.