Sufferers of acid reflux in Kuwait are being urged to avoid triggers using a variety of simple methods, in an effort to reduce the severity of symptoms, according to Spanish pharmaceutical company, Cinfa.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), commonly known as acid reflux, is a common digestive disease – with as much as a third of the population in the Middle East suffering from the disease – where stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus which leads to heartburn and chest pain, coughing, and difficulty swallowing among other symptoms.

While the prevalence of GERD in the region is not well established due to the lack of data, more advanced technology, better facilities and a wider awareness of the disease has aided in terms of more diagnoses of the disease, according to Dr. Ahmed El Hakim, Senior Advisor to Cinfa.

“While there is significant discomfort associated with GERD, medical therapy – generally with proton pump inhibitors - and lifestyle modification are able to control symptoms and help patients, and in most cases can manage it quite easily,” said Dr. El Hakim.

“Compliance with medicine is also a factor affecting management of GERD. It is generally a long-term disease, and over time patients tend to relax their treatment. This seriously affects the severity and longevity of symptoms, and also causes relapses, so patients should always adhere strictly to their prescribed treatment.”

Patients should be wary of triggers such as spicy and fatty food and smoking, which can irritate the stomach lining, or excessive consumption of caffeinated and carbonated drinks, Dr. El Hakim continued. Patients should instead look to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, after eating to help avoid dehydration.

“Specifically in Kuwait, where lifestyle habits such as smoking, obesity, poor diet and limited physical activity are unfortunately common, the number of people suffering will continue to rise if patients do not take control of their own disease,” added Dr. El Hakim.

While smoking is a trigger for the digestive disease, it also contributes to a myriad of other deadly disease, including cardiovascular disease and cancer, so it should be avoided, concluded Dr. El Hakim.

Cinfa launched in Kuwait in February of this year, and has a long history of providing accessible care to patients in several key disease areas - including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular care.