What can I do to manage GERD?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Alcohol, coffee, pepper, acidic foods like tomatoes and OJ, and to a lesser degree, chocolate increase GERD symptoms. The best way to manage symptoms until you lose weight is to avoid meals within 3 hours of bedtime and to put blocks under the head posts of your bed so you sleep with a slight tilt (pillows usually don't work since your head will typically roll off the pillow faster than a kid on a sliding board).
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Alcohol, coffee, pepper, acidic foods like tomatoes and OJ, and to a lesser degree, chocolate increase GERD symptoms. The best way to manage symptoms until you lose weight is to avoid meals within 3 hours of bedtime and to put blocks under the head... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:There are many ways to manage GERD, including diet and lifestyle changes, medications, surgery and alternative therapies.
The big three diet offenders that seem to exacerbate GERD are caffeine, fatty foods and alcohol. Your doctor may also suggest cutting back on chocolate, mint, acidic liquids and foods such as orange juice and tomatoes.
Lifestyle changes include eating smaller meals to decrease stretching of the stomach, weight loss to lessen pressure on the stomach, elevation of the head of your bed (because lying down can make GERD worse) and avoiding lying down for 3 hours after eating.
Medications include antacids for short term relief and proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers for more long term relief.
In addition, acupuncture has been shown to improve symptoms of GERD in some people.
There are many ways to manage GERD, including diet and lifestyle changes, medications, surgery and alternative therapies. The big three diet offenders that seem to exacerbate GERD are caffeine, fatty foods and alcohol. Your doctor may also suggest... More -
Healthwise answered:If you have symptoms of mild gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), there are things you can do at home to feel better. Here are some lifestyle changes to try:
- Change your eating habits. It's best to eat several small meals instead of 2 or 3 large meals. After you eat, wait 2 to 3 hours before you lie down. Late-night snacks aren't a good idea. Chocolate, mint and alcohol can make GERD worse. They relax the valve between the esophagus and the stomach. Spicy foods, foods that have a lot of acid (like tomatoes and oranges), and coffee can make GERD symptoms worse in some people. If your symptoms are worse after you eat a certain food, you may want to stop eating that food to see if your symptoms get better.
- Don't smoke or chew tobacco.
- If you have GERD symptoms at night, raise the head of your bed 6 in. (15 cm) to 8 in. (20 cm) by putting the frame on blocks or placing a foam wedge under the head of your mattress. (Adding extra pillows doesn't work.)
- Avoid or reduce pressure on your stomach. Don't wear tight clothing around your middle.
- Lose weight if you need to. Losing just 5 to 10 pounds can help.
Along with lifestyle changes, you may need nonprescription medicines to control occasional heartburn.
If you have symptoms of mild gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), there are things you can do at home to feel better. Here are some lifestyle changes to try: Change your eating habits. It's best to eat several small meals instead of 2 or 3... More
