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In these days of enhanced community quarantine, most people are on a wake-eat-sleep routine for lack of other things to do. Some couch potatoes would even indulge in snacking on the sofa while watching TV. But did you know that such pleasurable activity could actually result in something unwanted in terms of your health?

Free online courses you can take while under community quarantine

This kind of unhealthy lifestyle may eventually lead to a digestive disorder called GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

According to Medical News Today, GERD is a long-term condition where the stomach acids come up into the esophagus.

The known symptoms for GERD are heartburn or the burning sensation to your chest right after eating, sourness of throat, and a sensation of retching when you lie down.

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The common causes of GERD are: excessive intake of food laced with vinegars, drinking soft drinks and other carbonated drinks, overconsumption of coffee, chocolates, dairy products, and even sour fruits.

Eating fatty foods is also contributory because fatty foods take longer to digest. Therefore, the stomach requires the production of more acids to digest fatty foods.

This may come as a surprise but wearing tight-fitting clothes may actually lead to GERD.

“Pagka-mataba ka, tapos kumakain ka, tapos ang sikip-sikip ng suot mo, this abdominal pressure promotes reflux of stomach contents into your chest,” said Dr. Michelle Maria Cloa, a gastroenterologist from Manila Doctors Hospital.

Furthermore, sleeping flat on your stomach can lead to this digestive disorder as well.

“So, imagine mo 'yung stomach mo is like a sack. So, 'pag puno siya, and then nahiga ka, may gravity, tendency mo, maaari niyang ma-cross yung sphincter o yung pagitan ng stomach and esophagus, kaya maaaring bumalik yung juices,” she explained.

Dr. Cloa recommends sleeping on the left side as it can help eliminate excessive stomach acids.

“Dahil ang ating esophagus at saka ang stomach, meron siyang certain angle. So kapag tayo ay humiga sa kaliwa, yung angle na 'yun is mas nagiging narrow. Parang technically, nagiging makipot yung daluyan ng acid from the stomach into the esophagus.

“Kung hihiga ka naman kasi sa kanan, yung angle na 'yun bubukas. So, ibig sabihin, mas bukas yung opening, mas makakadaloy yung acid up into your chest,” the gastroenterologist compared.

The good news is that a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the possibility of GERD.

Eating vegetables like cauliflower and string beans, drinking ginger tea, and even chewing bubblegum can help eliminate the sensations brought about by GERD.

Five healthy recipes from 'Pinoy MD' you can try while in quarantine

During this quarantine period, it is still advisable to eat in moderation and avoid acid-causing foods and beverages.

Learn about the experience of a 21-year-old woman who has GERD in this episode of Pinoy MD:

Watch Pinoy MD every Saturday at 6 AM on GMA Network.

For more lifestyle content, you may head to the GMA Lifestyle page.