GERD

Managing Your Symptoms

Reflux is a common problem that can cause lots of troublesome symptoms. The good news is that there are lifestyle changes you can make that can help and useful medications you can take.

Lifestyle changes are very important initially in the management of GERD. There are certain foods that predispose to reflux and it is important to try and minimize or avoid alcohol, peppermint, greasy or spicy foods, tomatoes, fatty foods, citrus foods and caffeine products such as coffee and chocolate.

Eating frequent, small meals may help prevent reflux, do not lie down after meals and stop eating 3-4 hours before going to bed.

Do not smoke. Smoking increases acid production, decreases the sphincter pressure between the esophagus and the stomach and predisposes to esophageal cancer.
It is very important to try and achieve an optimum weight. Being overweight puts more pressure on the sphincter and contributes to reflux.

For those who suffer from nighttime reflux, elevating your upper body with either a foam wedge or putting blocks under the legs at the head of the bed may be helpful. There may be less reflux if you lie on you left rather than your right.

It is very common during pregnancy for reflux to be a problem. The fetus increases the abdominal pressure and the hormones of pregnancy may decrease the lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Also If the stomach doesn’t empty because of a motility problem or a blockage then there is a greater risk for acid to reflux into the esophagus.