Does eating greasy foods cause reflux?

Many people say that eating fried, greasy foods will stimulate stomach acid, causing severe reflux. Is this true? (Truong, 26 years old, Hanoi).

Reply:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease with a variety of symptoms such as a burning sensation behind the sternum, a feeling of fluid or food coming up, bloating, discomfort... Depending on the condition, the doctor will consider medical or surgical treatment. Common methods are medication and changes in eating and living habits.

Fatty foods reduce the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (a physiological barrier against reflux). Eating a lot of fat causes the esophagus to be exposed to acid for longer than a normal meal, leading to reflux. Fatty and fried foods cause bloating, indigestion, and obesity.

Reflux sufferers should also avoid canned foods and alcohol, which increase the severity and frequency of indigestion symptoms. Chocolate also aggravates reflux symptoms in some patients. The habit of sleeping little, eating late at night and sleeping within two hours of eating, and eating before bed also aggravate reflux symptoms.

Patients with sleep apnea often have more severe reflux symptoms. Overweight and obese people are also more likely to develop the condition.

To limit reflux symptoms, you should eat lots of green vegetables, beans, whole grains, fruits, fish, olive oil. Drink less alcohol, dairy products, red meat. Elevating your shoulders when sleeping helps reduce the time and frequency of gastric juice refluxing into the esophagus.

In case of severe reflux, you should see a doctor for prescription, treatment, and to improve your quality of life.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Viet Hang
Deputy Director of Endoscopy Center, Hanoi Medical University Hospital

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