From Fast Food to Heartburn: A Wake-Up Call for the Body and Soul

From Fast Food to Heartburn: A Wake-Up Call for the Body and Soul

Dr. Shane Halpe 

It all started on Sunday. I arrived in Jaffna late at night via the NCG luxury bus and got off at Chunnakam. Breakfast came much later in the day—just a couple of toasties. I skipped lunch altogether, as I had to join a field meeting at 1:30 p.m. I figured it was a good opportunity to extend my fast.

Much later in the evening, our hosts kindly offered us tea and ordered some snacks at a café. I had a coffee with milk and indulged in what was served—fish and chips, onion fritters, and some spicy devilled chicken. That ended up being my lunch.

Later that night, hunger returned with a vengeance. While walking through Jaffna town, I saw a fast-food outlet still open alongside an ice cream shop. I thought to myself, “Why not? You’ve earned it.” So I gave in to the craving—a burger and some ice cream to cap off the day.

But something was wrong.

Soon after, I developed a bloated, heavy feeling in my stomach. It quickly progressed to a burning sensation in my upper abdomen. Lying down became unbearable. I realized I was experiencing heartburn—what we call gastroesophageal reflux in medical terms. Nothing helped. I stayed awake the entire night, unable to sleep. I drank a small pack of milk from the fridge for relief, but it only provided a temporary reprieve.

The ordeal repeated itself over the next two nights. Still no proper sleep. Still bloated, still uncomfortable. I tried everything—cold water, propping up with two pillows, lying on my left side, yoghurt drinks, fresh milk, Gaviscon, Eno, Omeprazole, Domperidone, Mosapride—you name it.

In the midst of my discomfort, I attended a casual get-together at a local restaurant. Friends offered a drink, but I immediately refused. “No, I can’t bear this pain anymore,” I said.

One of my friends then opened up about his own struggles with chronic gastritis. He had developed complications in his esophagus due to prolonged reflux and had since given up alcohol for over two years. He eats small meals, avoids acidic and spicy foods, and carries Omeprazole with him at all times—he even offered me a tablet on the spot. Listening to his story, I felt both humbled and convicted.

As I write this, I realize how poorly we sometimes treat our bodies. We indulge in fast food, oily meals, sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol—often while sitting for hours with little physical activity. We take our bodies for granted.

A thought crossed my mind—something rooted in my Catholic upbringing:

“ Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
— 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NIV)

But honestly, I’ve been treating mine more like a dustbin than a temple.

This experience was a painful reminder that our bodies deserve reverence. It’s time we make a change—take our health seriously, and begin to care for ourselves in ways that are mindful, respectful, and rooted in gratitude.

Let’s begin treating our bodies as the sacred temples they are.