Stomach Reflux and Foods
Written by: Muhammad Arif Rahimi
roduces about 2 to 3 liters of gastric acid per day, one of the main components of stomach acid. This acid is needed for the digestion of proteins in the stomach and plays a key role in destroying all kinds of harmful microbes that have entered the stomach with food.
Stomach acid can be reduced or increased for several reasons, both of which can damage a person's stomach and digestive system. If we do not pay attention to our food during the increase of stomach acid, we might face more health problems.
AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about this disease.
Afsoon Amiri, a resident of Kabul city says, “When I was going to school, I was used to buying a burger and adding chutney to it and it caused me heartburn. Now I am suffering from stomach reflux.”
Muhammad Sharif says, “I am suffering from stomach acid. If I eat raw vegetables or drink carbonized drinks, my heart burns and I feel pain in my chest and have no appetite.”
Doctor Nazar Muhammad Nazari, professor of stomach diseases at one of the private hospitals in Kabul city says, “If we do not pay attention to our food during stomach reflux, the acid would increase and it would cause more heartburn and pain in the lower part of the chest; we would lose our appetite completely and then we might suffer from stomach ulcer, if not treated, it might cause stomach cancer.”
What do some people think about the causes of this disease?
Irfanullah says, “I am suffering from stomach reflux and the doctor told me that fried and spicy foods increase stomach acid.”
Afsoon Amiri says, “I was eating a burger with chutney instead of taking my breakfast and they increased stomach acid.”
Professor Nazari says, “There are many causes of stomach reflux. There is a tube called the esophagus that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach and when this tube destroys, the foods and acid reflux into the mouth. Overeating; fried, greasy and spicy foods; citruses like orange, sweet oranges, lemon, pickles and chutney increase stomach acid.”
How do some patients treat stomach acid?
Shir Muhammad, a resident of Kabul city says, “I eat isabgol and some other home medicines. These medicines reduce pain but do not treat the disease.”
Sayed Ali says, “I am 76 years old. When I was a young boy, I was suffering from stomach acid. I drank some benzene. I vomited back but I have not faced stomach acid again.”
Professor Nazari says, “Among home medicines, only isabgol and milk are useful for a time but other medical herbs are proved harmful to health and traditional medication might harm kidneys, liver, and gallbladder. The patient must go to the doctor for essential treatment.”