SNL comedian Kenan Thompson speaks candidly for the first time about his fight against gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). After years of embarrassing symptoms, Thompson was finally able to find some relief with the use of medication. His honest depictions not only seek to inform the community about this under-discussed illness but can empower others who are silently enduring it.
Living with GERD has been a challenge for Thompson, who would have flare-ups and not know why. He thought back to times when he had just ignored what he was eating, blaming his discomfort on hot foods or something else that set him off. Through flare-up moments and times where it was hard to think straight at all, Thompson was there. He had a hard time accepting that it was his behaviors that were making him so upset.
Understanding GERD Triggers
RDN Anna Beery discussed the lack of clinical evidence on specific foods and their impact on GERD. Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands of people today are still able to point to particular foods as their triggers. It’ll help you determine which foods may set you off,” Beery told Healthline. This approach helps people track their food intake and relate it to symptoms.
From his perspective, Thompson said that since beginning medication, he’s been less anxious around potential food triggers. Unfortunately, I can’t eat them as often as I grew up eating them because it really increases my acidity level. Though I had all of this knowledge, the thing that initially got me down was still troubling to me. I plan well, I prepare for contingencies, and I have an untouchable safety net for when I do inevitably mess up. This new way of looking at things has definitely made it easier for him to live with his condition.
Beery recommended reinforcing a diet full of colorful foods. She recommended eating fish, poultry, beans, legumes, eggs, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and mostly plant-based foods on a daily basis. These types of dietary choices help support overall digestive health and can even help you manage GERD symptoms.
Spreading Awareness
Thompson heroically decided to go public with his experiences living with GERD. Most of all, he wants to help other young people who are struggling as he was. As he described, “If I can change one life, that’s awesome! If I can change thousands of lives with the following that I have, that’s even better!” Overall I want to get the word out. If there are people out there in pain who don’t have the information they directly need to see what can help them, being able to assist them would make me sleep better at night.
He shared his hope that his transparency would encourage other members of the creative community to be more open about similar experiences. Now that I’m on the radar talking about this issue, I hope it provides motivation for a potential writer,” Thompson said. His incredible combination of comedic talent and experience has put GERD on the map. Thanks to his firsthand experience, he focuses on the difference it makes in everyday life.
A Path Forward
Thompson’s experience is a valuable reminder that knowing and understanding your health is an evolving journey. He admits that he’s still dealing with issues, but he is excited to be armed with what he’s learned. “You never know; I might just have to do the Weekend Update version of myself,” he joked, hinting at his ability to find humor in adversity.
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