Wednesday, November 23, 2011 Merely Me asks

Q: Diet for Acid-Reflux?

Hi there This is Merely Me from over on the depression site. I was hoping someone could answer my question. My eldest son has just been diagnosed with acid reflux. His physician is telling him to eat more protein at night and things like crackers in the morning (he feels sick when he wakes up and doesn't want to eat). My son loves spicy foods...mexican, hot wings, barbecue and also vinegar chips. When told to eat more protein in the evening he convinced my husband to get him buffalo chicken lunchmeat. Can you weigh in on the disagreements we are having in our household that I think my son should not be eating the spicy foods but he and my husband think this is okay when you have acid reflux. I bet greasy fried foods are not good either right? Thanks for any help on this!

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Answers (1)

robichris

11/23/11 6:15pm

Whether to eat spicy foods when suffering acid reflux.

This is a tricky one. We are all different. What suits one person doesn't suit another. General advice is to avoid spicy foods but that's because we know it feels as if it's burning the mouth and throat and will therefore burn the esophagus.

The truth is, it's the concentrated hydrochloric acid the stomach produces splashing back up the esophagus that does the most damage.

This is why some acidic foods may not harm as much as some alkaline foods: it depends on the amount of acid the stomach produces in response to the food and the result (called "ash"). It's "acid ash" foods that need to be restricted (ie the foods that leave our stomachs more acidic.

A few years ago, I asked my gastroenterologist why, when I'd been travelling in Thailand and eating very hot spicy foods, I wasn't as affected as usual by reflux. He said it's because chillies have an anasthetic effect.

Some people produce more acid in response to some foods than others. It's really a case of experimenting and finding out what works for you.

Merely Me

11/23/11 6:40pm

Hey thanks for the quick reply!

Well this makes sense. I know for me and my gallbladder troubles...the spicy foods and the fatty foods cause me great pain. But this is a different situation than acid reflux. His doctor wants to "retrain" his digestive system. He was taking prilosec for a couple of weeks and now zantac for awhile. How long should one take something like zantac? I will contact his doctor to ask. But just curious what other's experiences may be with this.

The problems he was having...his doctor said were somewhat caused by him eating late...and eating carbs like his beloved vinegar and salt chips.

These issues are all new to me so I can use all the help I can get to help my son.

robichris

11/23/11 6:52pm

Zantac (ranitidine) and Prilosec (omeprazole) both reduce the production of stomach acid - though in slightly different ways. Ranitidine is an H2 agonist whilst omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor which is usually more effcetive than an H2 agonist.

It is quite safe to continue to use either of these medications: some have to remain on them the rest of their lives. I had to use high dose omeprazole for 14 years until I had an anti-reflux operation.

Ranitidine has been around longer than omeprazole (which is now about 20 years old) and well tried and tested. Omeprazole was originally intended to be used for up to 6 weeks to combat stomach ulcers but has proved so beneficial to so many and with usually only minor, tolerable side effects, its prolonged usage is now accepted. However, many cannot tolerate the side effects and for them ranitidine may be a better option.

There are, however, lifestyle changes that may be made to limit reflux: lose weight, don't smoke, reduce alcohol intake, eat little and often, don't eat for at least two hours before going to bed, avoid exercise that cramps the stomach after eating, wear loose clothing, raise the bedhead 6" - 8".

All the best

Chris (chairman Barrett's Wessex: www.barrettswessex.org.uk)

Q: Diet for Acid-Reflux?

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