Reflux disease is stomach secretions known as acid and bile coming up to the esophagus or mouth. Reflux, which causes very uncomfortable situations, shows symptoms such as a bitter taste and food sensation in the mouth. Emphasizing that the expected benefit from changes in the diet in the treatment of reflux disease may be around 15-20 percent, Prof. Dr. Orhan Kocaman warned about the nutrition of reflux patients.
CITRUS TRIGGERS BURNS IN CHEST
“Chocolate, alcohol and fatty foods that increase reflux in nutrition should be limited or cut off. Consumption of citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, grapefruit and lemons), carbonated drinks and spices that can trigger chest inflammation should be limited. Coffee consumption can also trigger reflux, so those with reflux should stay away from coffee.
SYMPTOMS OF REFLUX CAN BE SEEN IN DIFFERENT WAYS
Underlining that the findings in reflux may not be limited to the esophagus, Prof. Dr. Orhan Kocaman stated that patients can also apply to the doctor with unusual ailments related to the otolaryngology and respiratory systems such as hoarseness, chronic pharyngitis, asthma and rarely pneumonia.
ACIDIC FOOD CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FEAST PIPE
Stating that although the cause of reflux disease is not clearly clarified, it is thought that many factors play a role in the formation of reflux disease. Dr. Orhan Kocaman shared the following information:
“The most important preventive factor in the transformation of physiological reflux, which occurs especially after meals and does not cause complaints, is the presence of the valve called the ‘lower esophageal sphincter’ located between the esophagus and the stomach. A functional and structural disorder in this valve may cause reflux disease. The second important factor in the formation of reflux disease is abnormal esophageal movements. The esophageal movements must be normal and undisturbed so that the stomach contents that have escaped into the esophagus can be sent back to the stomach properly. If proper cleaning is not performed, acidic or alkaline contents in the stomach content may damage the esophagus wall and cause reflux disease.
MAY OCCUR DUE TO DISORDERS LIKE CANCER
Another important factor that plays a role in cleaning the esophagus is saliva secretion. Neutralizing the reflux content with salivary secretion plays an important role in the prevention of reflux disease. Another important factor in the formation of reflux disease is related to gastric emptying defects and occurs due to diseases such as cancer, especially in the advanced age group.
AVOID FOODS THAT CAN TRIGGER REFLUX
Emphasizing that the expected benefit from changes in the diet in reflux disease may be around 15-20 percent, Prof. Dr. Kocaman said, “During the implementation of these changes, care should be taken not to impair the patient’s quality of life. Foods that increase reflux should be avoided at the feeding point, and alcohol, chocolate and fatty foods should be limited or cut out for this purpose. Consumption of citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, grapefruit and lemons), carbonated drinks and spices that can trigger chest inflammation should be limited. In addition, the consumption of coffee and tea can also trigger reflux in some people. Behavioral and situational changes such as weight loss, smoking cessation, raising the head of the bed and not lying down within 2-3 hours after eating should be adopted to prevent or reduce the escape of stomach contents into the esophagus.
It can recur in 80 percent of patients despite treatment.
Adding that reflux disease can cause a complication called Barrett’s esophagus, which carries the risk of esophageal cancer, secondary to long-term acid exposure in some patients, Prof. Dr. Kocaman made the following recommendations about treatment:
“When reflux disease is treated with drugs, approximately 80 percent of patients relapse. Therefore, reflux disease should be considered as a chronic disease. The aim of treatment is to control complaints, improve esophageal damage and prevent long-term complications (stenosis in the esophagus, Barrett’s esophagus, esophagus cancer). In line with these goals, reflux treatment can be examined under 4 main headings: lifestyle changes, drug treatments, endoscopic treatments and surgical treatments. The main goal in these treatments is to reduce gastric acid secretion and/or mechanically narrow the valve between the stomach and the esophagus.”
(DHA)