Acid reflux disease is a condition in which stomach acid production increases and causes inflammation in the esophagus. This disease attacks the stomach and other upper digestive tracts.
You need to maintain the level of stomach acid in your body so that it does not progress to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The symptoms that sufferers feel are heartburn , nausea and vomiting, bad breath and sour taste, and difficulty breathing.
Gastric acid disease can be prevented from becoming GERD and other complications by changing lifestyle and diet.
Causes of Gastric Acid
Gastric acid conditions can be caused by several things, namely the following:
- Consumption of foods that trigger stomach acid.
- Bad habits, such as eating too much and too quickly and lying down immediately after eating.
- Bad lifestyle, namely rarely exercising, smoking habits, and excessive stress.
7 Foods and Drinks to Avoid
If you have a history of acid reflux or GERD, it is highly recommended to avoid the following foods and drinks:
1. Spicy Food
Chili and spicy foods can trigger stomach acid due to the presence of Capsaicin. This content causes pain in the stomach and heartburn , especially for sufferers.
Spicy food is indeed very popular among Indonesian people, but if you are a fan of spicy food and have a history of stomach acid and GERD, it is better for you to avoid or reduce this food.
2. High Acid Fruits
Fruits do have a variety of flavors and benefits in each of their contents. However, there are some fruits and their processed products that have high acid content that can cause stomach irritation.
These fruits are oranges, lemons, kiwis, and tomatoes. The high acid content in some of these fruits can trigger a burning and stinging sensation in the stomach.
3. Salty Foods
Salty foods can also have negative effects on acid reflux sufferers, such as triggering dehydration which can disrupt the digestive system.
High levels of sodium in food can increase the risk of acid reflux. However, further studies are needed for this condition. However, it is better to reduce sodium to avoid digestive disorders.
The effects of excessive consumption of salty foods can also be exacerbated if you consume onions and spicy foods together.
4. Caffeine and Carbonated Drinks
Caffeine can increase stomach acid production while reducing the strength of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). If this muscle is not strong enough, stomach acid will rise more easily.
Soda contains carbon dioxide gas which can increase the amount of gas in the stomach. If you consume soda excessively, your stomach can feel bloated, sore, and full.
5. Cigarettes and Alcohol
Smoking and consuming alcohol can reduce the strength of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) muscle, which causes stomach acid to easily rise.
You may also experience stomach irritation, pain and burning, and indigestion. If you have a history of stomach acid and GERD, you should avoid smoking and alcohol.
6. High Fat Foods
High levels of fat in food make it take longer to digest food. High-fat foods also make the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) muscle weaker while increasing the hormone cholecystokinin.
Avoid consuming high-fat foods, namely chocolate, fast food , fried foods, and fatty meats. These foods are bad not only for digestive health, but the health of all organs of the body.
7. Onion
Consuming onions can also trigger weakness of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) muscle. The sulfur in onions can also cause irritation and stomach acid.
You can reduce the consumption of onions such as garlic, shallots, and onions in food which can be replaced by other alternative spices.
How to Avoid Gastric Acid
Gastric acid disease can be avoided if you do the following things, namely:
- Maintain a diet, eat small portions frequently and know the foods and drinks that trigger pain.
- Choose foods that have a good impact on the stomach, such as melon, various grains, oatmeal, etc.
- Maintain ideal body weight.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Arrange a good sleeping position, which is tilted to the left. Do not sleep after eating, give a gap of 2-3 hours from bedtime.
- Manage your stress and anxiety mind.
Keep Your Digestive System Healthy
Gastric acid is a preventable condition. If this condition is left untreated and treated promptly, there is a risk of other diseases such as GERD, stomach lining ulcers, and Barrett's esophagus.
Consult a doctor immediately if your symptoms worsen and the usual medication does not relieve the symptoms. This is done so that you get the right treatment to avoid the risk of complications.
Article written by Dr. dr. Nella Suhuyanly, Sp.PD - KGEH, FINASIM (Internal Medicine Specialist - Consultant Gastro Entero Hepatology EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).