::lets learn about gastric reflux::

so.. doctor said i have gastric & acid reflux, or also called gastric reflux.. and after researching about this, i can now manage my food better so as not to trigger the gastric/acid.. basically, i cannot eat spicy, oily and acidic food.. also a few beverages like coffee (uwaaaa!!!!), soda and other acidic drinks.. gosh m so gonna miss tom yam.. and ribena.. and definitely nescafe!

*got this from gastricsymptoms.info*

Symptoms:

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is the most common symptom of a gastric ulcer. This pain can be burning, gnawing or aching, and it might feel similar to hunger pains. The pain occurs anywhere between the navel and the breastbone, and occasionally spreads to the back. The most common location for gastric ulcer pain is just beneath the rib cage on the left side of the body. Gastric ulcer pain frequently attacks within two to three hours of eating a meal but can also occur at night when the stomach is empty.

Indigestion

Another common gastric ulcer symptom is indigestion, which typically involves a burning sensation in the middle of the chest. This indigestion can make a gastric ulcer sufferer burp, belch or hiccup quite frequently. Some gastric ulcer patients feel a slight choking sensation during a bout of indigestion. The indigestion usually disappears after taking an acid reducer or an antacid. This symptom is frequently mistaken for simple heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Other Symptoms

Gastric ulcer patients can suffer from a host of other symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue, weakness and pale skin. Gastric ulcers occasionally produce scar tissue that obstructs the passage of food through an individual’s digestive tract. This can cause the patient to vomit frequently or feel quite full after eating very little. Some individuals report feeling bloated after eating, while others complain of significantly decreased appetite levels. All of these factors can cause unintentional weight loss.

Bleeding Gastric Ulcers

Bleeding gastric ulcer can trigger less common but potentially more serious symptoms. A bleeding ulcer can cause a patient to throw up bright red blood or to vomit digested blood that looks similar to brown coffee grounds. A bleeding ulcer might also cause a patient to pass stools that contain dark red blood or to pass black stools that look like tar. All of these are signs of a severe gastric ulcer. Any individual suffering from these symptoms should schedule an appointment to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Gastric Reflux occurs when the tube used to intake food is not strong enough to handle the acid. The food you eat is digested by the stomach with the help of an acid produced and stored by it.  The stomach walls are built strong enough to store that acid without causing damage. A general rule is to avoid large meals, fatty or spicy food and avoid eating before you sleep.

We will start with a checklist of common foods to avoid. The following foods will exacerbate your gastric reflux.

Meat: in particular beef. Since meat contains a lot of protein, more acid is needed to digest it.

Processed Food: these foods contain additives. Additives contain concentrated acid that help maintain and prolong the shelf life of food.

Soda/ Carbonated Beverages: these beverages can contain the following ingredients; acetic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid and phosphoric acid.

Now lets go over some foods that will help your gastric reflux

Fruits: Pineapple and papaya are good because they help neutralize the acid in your stomach

Vegetables: try the following green beans, peas, carrots, and broccoli

Grains: most all grains are safe to eat

Mineral water: best beverage, will never upset your gastric reflux

In summary the following foods are safe:

-apples, bananas, broccoli, carrots, peas, green beans, chicken breast, fish, fat free or low fat cheese, whole grain bread, brown bread.

While the following foods are unsafe:

-citrus fruits, cranberry juice, tomatoes and tomato based food, peppers, onions, spicy food, most of the dairy products, caffeine, high fat foods, cheese, fatty cuts of meat, alcohol and chocolate.

on a bright side, hope this will help me lose more weight!! hihihi.. ^_^