Author: Dean Rouseberg
Time for reading: ~2
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
In this article, learn more about Proper Diet Helps With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Dietary habits and lifestyle of patients affect the development of reflux ....
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disease in which there is a chronic return of gastric contents into the esophagus.
The lining of the esophagus is different from that of the stomach and the high acidity of the stomach contents has a strong irritating effect and can even cause inflammation of the lining of the esophagus. Increased stomach acidity is also observed in peptic ulcer disease.
The most common (but not the only) symptom is burning behind the sternum, the so-called heartburn.
There are many factors that cause acid imbalance in the stomach.
In the first place, experts put the abuse of alcohol and cigarettes .
The activity of each digestive organ is negatively affected by stress and any disorders of the nervous system.
Another major factor in the occurrence of reflux is the irrational diet and consumption of spicy and fatty foods.
Dietary habits and lifestyle of patients affect the development of reflux. Studies show that certain foods and soft drinks, including chocolate, mint, fried and fatty foods, coffee or alcoholic beverages, can cause reflux and burning behind the sternum.
Usually, eating plenty of food or going to bed immediately after eating plenty of food can provoke unpleasant complaints. It is essential to reduce the amount of food consumed once. It is advisable to eat less food, but cleaner. Food and fluids should be avoided for 3 hours before bedtime.
Obesity and pregnancy can also cause the disease. The explanation for this is that excess weight increases intra-abdominal pressure, which leads to increased reflux. In overweight patients, reflux symptoms can be significantly reduced by weight reduction.
In the treatment of GERD, the main goal is to protect the lining of the esophagus from the damaging effects of stomach acids. Although there are sufficiently effective medications to treat GERD, many patients prefer to control their complaints through an appropriate diet .
Some experts advise patients to record the foods and fluids they consume. This will make it easier to find out exactly which products aggravate the symptoms of reflux, as well as the time of their onset. The recommendations for the amount of fat to be taken daily are indicative - for men approximately 45 g, and for women - 30 g.
In most people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux, the condition is successfully controlled with agents that reduce stomach acidity. In rare cases, surgical treatment is used .