Question

Joanne is a 39-year-old accountant, who is 5’4” and weighs 165 lbs. She smokes ½ pack of cigarettes per day. At her recent examination, she told her PCP that she has been experiencing heartburn, which has become more frequent and painful. The heartburn occurs after she eats a large meal and is particularly bad after she goes to bed at night. After a series of medical procedures, her PCP diagnosed Joanne with Reflux esophagitis and narrowing of the esophagus. The PCP recommended Joanne to stop smoking cigarettes, and lose 20 lbs. Joanne is stressed because it is in the middle of tax season. She never eats breakfast, her food at lunch is from a fast food restaurant and she eats lunch while continuing to eat at her desk; then at 8:00 pm she eats a large dinner with a glass of wine, and later in the evening she has another alcoholic beverage.

1. Based on the above history, list 4 factors and behaviors causing Joanne to experience acid reflux.

2. What diet modifications and lifestyle modifications would you suggest to help reduce Joanne’s reoccurrence of acid reflux?

Answer 1

Acid reflux is a digestive disease in which stomach acid or bile irritates the food pipe lining.

Factors than aggravate acid reflux:

* Smoking

* Eating large meals or eating late at night

* Eating certain foods such as fried foods

* Eating certain beverages such as alcohol particularly red wine, coffee, tea, soda

* Eating certain medications such as aspirin

* Chocolates

* Citrus fruits and products such as tomatoes, orange, lemons

* Peppermint

* Raw onions, black pepper, garlic and other spicy foods

1).Factors for Joanne experiencing acid reflux :

* Eating large meal at night

* Drinking wine, alcohol beverages

* Skipping breakfast

* Stress

2).Diet Modifications :

* Try to avoid pickles,spicy chutneys, vinegar etc

* Boil some mint leaves in water and have a glass of this after meals.

* Sucking on a piece of clove is another effective remedy

* Jaggary, banana, almonds are all known to give you instant relief from acidity

Eat sparingly and slowly

* When the stomach is very full there can be more reflux into the esophagus.

* Finishing eating 3 hours before go to bed

* No naps after lunch, no late supper

Life modifications :

Don't move fast

* Avoid vigorous excercise after food.

Sleep on an incline :

* Head should be 6 to 8 inches higher than feet

Loss weight

* Increased weight spreads the muscular structure this leads to heart burn

* Don't wear tight clothes / tight belts.

What to drink for acid reflux:

* Herbal tea

* Coconut water

* Low fat or skim milk

* Plant based milk such as almond milk, coconut milk etc

* Fruit juices such as carrot juice, watermelon juice.

* Chewing gum to help dilute acid.