DEALING WITH OESOPHAGITIS

Oesophagitis is an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the oesophagus caused by any of the following:

- A back flow of acid fluid from the stomach to the oesophagus.

- Recurrent vomiting. - Medications such as aspirin and antiinflammatories.

- Viruses, fungi, bacteria or diseases that weaken the immune system. - Hiatal hernia.

- Ingestion of an irritating agent.

Care objectives: - Decrease exposure to gastric contents by avoiding the not allowed list.

- Decrease acidity of gastric secretions. - Prevent pain and irritation.

- Restoration of good nutritional status.

Recommendations during flare-ups (best method is by patient trial): - Avoid large and heavy meals and instead eat small frequent meals.

- Eat your meals slowly and chew your food carefully.

- Avoid high fat meals. - Avoid citrus food.

- Avoid red chillies, black peppers, peppermint and other spices.

- Exclude foods and drinks containing caffeine such as chocolate, coffee, dark tea, energy drinks and soft drinks.

- Avoid lying down after eating.

- Reduce stressful situations in your life.

If you are experiencing diarrhoea:

- Avoid dehydration and replace body fluids. Drink lots of clear fluids. No caffeine. Milk will usually prolong diarrhoea, but it might help provide nutrients for people with very mild cases.

For moderate to severe cases, use an electrolyte solution (oral dehydration solution).

- Eat probiotic yoghurt. These active cultures can ease the symptoms of some types of diarrhoea and shorten their duration.

- Try the BRAT diet; banana, rice, apple or applesauce and toast. This diet is often recommended for children, but adults can try it as well. It is not necessary to restrict children or adults to this diet, but adding these foods may help shorten episodes of diarrhoea. - Avoid high fat and fried meals.

- Avoid high fibre foods such as all-bran, whole grain bread, cereal, vegetable and fruit with edible skin, legumes and seeds.

-Have a limited amount of fructose and lactose during flare-ups and make sure that you do not have any kind of food allergy.

If you are experiencing flatulence:

- Avoid large meals by dividing your food into smaller more frequent meals.

- Eat your meals slowly and chew your food carefully.

- Avoid the main gas causing foods such as onions, garlic, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, leeks, trump, radish and most raw fruits and vegetables.

- Have a limited amount of lactose during flareups, and make sure you do not have any kind of food allergy.

- Avoid high fibre foods. - Avoid red chillies, black pepper, peppermint and other spices.

If you are experiencing constipation:

- Getting enough fibre (20 to 35 grams each day) and a good consumption of fluids helps the body form soft, bulky stool.

- Eat a high fibre diet, good sources of fibre include wheat bran, whole grain bread, cereal, vegetables and fruits with edible skins, legumes and seeds.

- Increase consumption of fluids, do not have less than 2.5 litres daily.

- Increase your daily physical activities.