7 Tips For Fasting Continues To Run Smoothly And Comfortable For GERD Users

Illustration of a woman with stomach pain (Photo: Freepik/adipurnatama)

JAKARTA - Fasting is a service that provides many health benefits, including helping to regulate diet and increasing self-control. However, for people with Gastroesophageal Reflect Disease (GERD) fasting can be a challenge in itself.

GERD is a condition closely related to a person's diet and lifestyle. This disease occurs when stomach acid rises to the concavity and causes various uncomfortable symptoms, such as heart pain, heat in the chest, to nausea and vomiting

Several studies have shown that GERD sufferers can improve their condition while fasting, as long as they maintain a healthy lifestyle and pay attention to food intake. By applying healthy habits, fasting not only helps relieve GERD symptoms, but can also improve overall quality of life.

Reporting from the Siloam Hospitals page, the results of research published in Acta Medica Indonesian - The Indonesian Journal of Internal Medicine in 2016 revealed that fasting has benefits for GERD sufferers, especially in reducing symptoms of acidic acid rising.

This is due to changes in a healthier lifestyle during the fasting month, such as setting a regular meal schedule and avoiding habits that can worsen GERD's condition.

One of the main factors that support the improvement of the condition of GERD sufferers during fasting is the reduced smoking frequency. Many people fast automatically reduce or even quit smoking, so the risk of GERD recurrence also decreases. In addition, a more disciplined diet and better stress management during the fasting month helps reduce the symptoms of this disease.

In order for fasting to really benefit people with GERD, it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle and follow several guidelines that can help maintain a balance of stomach acid. Here are 7 tips for fasting for people with GERD during fasting.

1. Don't miss Sahur

Eating suhoor is not only important to maintain energy during fasting, but also plays a role in preventing the rise of stomach acid. When the stomach is empty for a long time, the production of stomach acid can increase, which can worsen GERD's condition. Therefore, GERD sufferers should always eat balanced and nutritious sahur foods so that the stomach remains protected throughout the day.

2. Consumption of food that is rich in fiber

Fiber foods can help slow the emptying of the stomach, thus preventing stomach acid from rising to the concavity. Therefore, GERD sufferers are advised to eat high fiber foods during sahur and break the fast. Some choices of fiber-rich foods that are good for consumption during fasting include green vegetables, fruits, oatmeals, almonds, and sweet potatoes.

3. Wearing Loose Clothes

Excess pressure on the stomach area can worsen GERD symptoms. Therefore, sufferers of GERD are advised to wear loose and comfortable clothes during fasting. This will help reduce the risk of heartburn or a hot sensation in the chest due to rising stomach acid.

4. Sleep After Eating

One habit that can trigger GERD is to sleep or lie down after eating, especially after sahur and break the fast. When a person immediately lies down after eating, gravity cannot help the food stay in the stomach, making it easier to rise to the concavity and cause acid reflux.

To prevent this, GERD sufferers are advised to give a minimum gap of three hours between eating and sleeping times. In this way, food has enough time to digest before a person rests.

5. Get Enough Sleep

Lack of sleep can cause stress and increase the production of stomach acid, which in turn worsens the symptoms of GERD. Therefore, GERD sufferers should ensure that they get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. If you feel tired during the day, a 30-minute nap can also help maintain the body's balance without disturbing night's sleep.

6. Eat food slowly

Eating too fast can cause the stomach to work harder to digest food, thereby increasing the risk of rising stomach acid. Therefore, people with GERD need to chew food slowly and thoroughly before handling it.

In addition, eating large portions of food during breaking the fast can also trigger a spike in gastric acid production. It is better for GERD sufferers to divide their meal time into several sessions, for example by breaking the fast gradually starting from snacks first, then the main food after a while.

7. Avoid Food And Drinks Triggering GERD

There are several types of food that can trigger an increase in stomach acid and worsen GERD's condition. Therefore, people with GERD should avoid the following food during fasting:

- Hot foods, such as chili and chili, which can irritate the stomach

- Fat foods, such as fried foods and Sanitated foods, which can slow down digestion

- Caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and tea, can stimulate the production of stomach acid.

- Soda drinks, which can increase the pressure in the stomach and trigger acid reflux

- Vegetables that are difficult to digest, such as cabbage and cabbage, which can cause stomach bloating.