Doctor Shares Safe Homecoming Tips for GERD Sufferers

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — GERD patients are advised to undertake homecoming travel at night, as travelling while not fasting can help keep GERD safe and prevent flare-ups along the journey. “I would recommend that they undertake the homecoming travel at night, i.e., while they are not fasting. Honestly, if they were to travel in the daytime, their energy would be drained in various ways,” said Professor of Internal Medicine and gastroenterology–hepatology consultant at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, and Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (FK UI RSCM), Prof. Dr. dr. Ari Fahrial Syam SpPD-KGEH, during a health discussion with Primaya Hospital on Thursday (5 March 2026). He noted that GERD sufferers are also advised to bring meals from home and not to eat carelessly or buy food from outside because its cleanliness cannot be guaranteed. During the Eid period, many hospitals in the region are full of patients with GERD or indigestion complaints due to poor food hygiene. Some foods that can trigger it include fried foods, chocolate or cheese. Ari also urged reducing fried foods during homecoming travel for GERD sufferers. Beyond food, GERD can also be triggered by excessive stress. Therefore it is recommended to bring devices or equipment to keep the traveller’s mental condition in good shape and reduce stress caused by traffic jams during the homecoming journey. “Because there will almost certainly be traffic, they must be prepared with devices, such as a power bank, ensuring they stay connected and have time to do something even if stuck, so their stress is reduced,” he said. Another point not to forget for GERD sufferers when making the homecoming journey is bringing medications usually taken to relieve or neutralise stomach acid. Because conditions on the road are unpredictable and there is concern about not finding a nearest pharmacy if GERD flares up. GERD symptoms include heartburn, chest pain and a bitter taste in the mouth. In addition, risk factors that worsen GERD include age usually over 40, smoking and a body mass index above 30, which is categorised as obesity.