Traveling Home Can Trigger GERD, Here's How to Overcome the Symptoms

JAKARTA - The journey home for Eid often coincides with long journeys, changes in eating patterns, and fatigue while on the road.

This condition can trigger a relapse of stomach acid disease or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), especially for people who have a history of stomach disorders. This risk can increase when traveling while still fasting because the time to eat and rest becomes irregular.

Internal Medicine Specialist Subspecialist Gastroenterology Hepatology Dr. Hasan Maulahela, Sp.PD, Subsp. G.E.H. (K) from Pondok Indah Hospital - Pondok Indah explained that changes in routines during the homecoming trip can trigger an increase in gastric acid production.

"The journey home often changes eating patterns and rest time. This condition can trigger an increase in stomach acid, especially in people with GERD who are sensitive to changes in lifestyle," said Hasan.

GERD is a disorder of the digestive system that occurs when acidic fluid from the stomach rises back into the esophagus and irritates the walls of the digestive tract. When it recurs, sufferers usually feel a hot or burning sensation in the chest and stomach known as heartburn.

In addition, there is often a sour or bitter taste in the mouth due to regurgitation of stomach acid. Other complaints such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, chest pain, and respiratory disorders can also accompany.

According to Hasan, several habits during the journey can worsen the condition. Many people eat or drink in a hurry during sahur or breaking the fast on the road. Consumption of spicy, fatty foods, and caffeinated beverages can also trigger the production of stomach acid.

In addition, sitting in a vehicle for too long can increase pressure on the abdominal area, pushing stomach acid up into the esophagus.

If symptoms of GERD begin to appear while traveling and a person is still fasting, there are some simple steps that can be taken to relieve complaints. One of them is by loosening clothing that is too tight, especially in the abdominal area. The sitting position also needs to be considered by keeping the body upright and not bending.

"Try to sit upright with your head and chest slightly higher than your stomach. This position helps to use the force of gravity so that stomach acid does not easily rise into the esophagus," explained Hasan.

In addition, performing deep breathing techniques can also help relieve complaints. Pulling in slowly through the nose and then exhaling slowly through the mouth can help relax the muscles of the digestive tract while reducing panic that can worsen the production of stomach acid.

However, if the complaints do not improve or even get worse, such as severe heartburn accompanied by vomiting or shortness of breath, sufferers should not force themselves to continue fasting. Immediately break the fast with warm water and avoid cold drinks or foods that can aggravate the stomach condition.

"If the symptoms of GERD do not subside or are accompanied by severe complaints, it is best to seek medical help immediately at the nearest health facility," said Hasan.

For sufferers who often experience GERD recurrence, further medical examination may be necessary to ensure the condition that occurs. Usually the doctor will start with a medical interview or anamnesis to find out the patient's history of complaints. After that, the doctor can recommend an endoscopy examination to see the condition of the digestive tract directly.

Endoscopy is a medical procedure using a flexible tube-shaped device with a camera at the end to examine the esophagus, stomach, to the duodenum. In the case of GERD, this procedure is known as gastroscopy, which is used to evaluate the condition of the upper gastrointestinal tract as well as detect inflammation, wounds, and infections.

In some more complex conditions, examinations can also be performed with Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) technology which combines endoscopy with ultrasonography to produce a more detailed picture of the tissue of the digestive tract.

"With endoscopic and EUS technology, doctors can see the condition of the tissue more clearly so that diagnosis and treatment can be done more accurately," said Hasan.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, GERD treatment generally includes drug therapy to suppress gastric acid production, lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, maintaining ideal body weight, and stress management. In some more severe cases, doctors may also consider further medical actions to strengthen the esophageal valve so that gastric acid does not easily rise again.

By maintaining a diet, regulating rest time, and understanding how to handle symptoms early on, people with GERD can still go on a homecoming trip more comfortably and safely.