Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Q: My dad suffers from GERD. What foods should he avoid when he dines out?
Affinity's medical expert is Dr. Timothy Edison, a gastroenterologist for Affinity Health System. Dr. Edison specializes in the treatment of disorders of the esophagus, stomach and gastrointestinal tract.
A: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects about 5 to 7 percent of the population. It results from the combination of stomach juice reflux up into the esophagus and the impaired ability to clear the material back down into the stomach. Symptoms include chronic heartburn, chronic sore throat, belching, bad breath, difficulty swallowing, inflammation of gums, hoarseness, and excess saliva.
Mild symptoms that occur less than twice a week can usually be managed with lifestyle and dietary changes. Many different types of food can cause an acid flare up, but the types of foods that cause inflammation vary from person to person. Most commonly onions, peppermint, chocolate, caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, citrus fruits or juices, tomatoes, or high-fat foods can trigger an attack. Carbonated drinks can also add pressure in the stomach, causing a flood of stomach acid in the esophagus.
I recommend that people who suffer from GERD keep a food diary that tracks what and when they eat. Your father can track what foods trigger inflammation and share that information with his doctor.
In addition to a food diary, GERD sufferers should limit portion size or eat several smaller meals throughout the day. They should eat slowly, avoid alcohol and quit smoking if they currently smoke. Also, if your father is overweight, dropping a few pounds may help his symptoms. Eating earlier may help reduce nighttime heartburn, and chewing gum helps promote saliva production between meals.
Many different medications are available to prevent and relieve GERD symptoms. Over-the-counter antacids such as Zantac or Tagamet are recommended for mild symptoms. For more severe cases, prescription medications are available.
It is important to note that patients who do not improve with such measures or who develop ominous symptoms, such as difficult or painful swallowing or signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, should be evaluated by endoscopy. Endoscopy is accomplished through the use of a thin flexible camera inserted down the mouth and into the esophagus while the patient is lightly sedated. A gastroenterologist, a highly trained expert in digestive diseases, typically performs this procedure. This technique allows the specialist to examine the esophagus for signs of precancerous changes that sometimes can occur in the setting of GERD.
