Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the third most common gastrointestinal disorder in the US. GERD, also known as acid reflux, is a condition in which stomach acids back up into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation (esophagitis). This leads to heartburn, a burning pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen and chest. If left untreated, GERD can cause scarring and precancerous changes of the esophagus (Barrett’s syndrome) that can progress into esophageal cancer. Although spicy foods are often associated with GERD symptoms, there is little evidence that spicy foods cause GERD. Now research reports that heartburn is not linked with diet, tobacco, or alcohol.
The study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, performed a literature search of heartburn studies to determine the efficacy of dietary measures. Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, California, reviewed 2,039 heartburn studies published worldwide between 1975 and 2004. They identified 100 relevant articles, including 16 clinical trials examining the impact of lifestyle measures on GERD.
The researchers found that there was no evidence that avoiding certain foods and beverages, or eliminating tobacco and alcohol, can help reduce GERD symptoms. Eliminating foods such as chocolate or carbonated beverages was not shown to prevent heartburn. Findings also revealed that maintaining a healthy weight and elevating the head of the bed to help keep the acid contents in the stomach, were the only lifestyle changes that helped prevent heartburn.
"Weight loss and head of bed elevation are effective lifestyle interventions for GERD," the study authors conclude. "There is no evidence supporting an improvement in GERD measures after cessation of tobacco, alcohol, or other dietary interventions."
REFERENCES:
1. Kaltenbach T et al. Are lifestyle measures effective in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease? An evidence-based approach. Arch Intern Med 2006 May 8;166(9):965-71.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 25, 2006 01:58 PM
