-lose weight if indicated
-eat smaller portions, smaller meals more slowly
-raise the head of the bed 2"-8" if it seems to help...some controversy whether EVERYONE with GERD will benefit
-sleeplay on the left side of your body when possible
-avoid/limit caffiene in coffee, teas, colas, chocolate, energy drinks....READ LABELS! (causes unwanted relaxation of the pinch valve in the lower esophagus which is named the lower esophageal sphincter or LES)
-avoid nicotine, same situation, it lowers LES pressure, a bad thing in GERD
-avoid mints (spearmint, peppermint, etc.) since they too cause relaxation of the pinch valve of the lower esophagus
-reduce fatty foods; they delay gastric emptying thus exposing the esophagus to gastric regurgitation for a longer period of time
-do not lay down after meals for 2-4 hours
-"barrier" antacids after meals and at bedtime and and for symptom control are Gaviscon or Gaviscon like…store brand is fine
-the mainstay of therapy is medication to reduce (not eliminate) production of acid by the lining of the stomach: omeprazole, PRILOSEC OTC, Nexium, Prevacid, Aciphex, pantoprazole, Protonix, Zegerid, Kapidex are all forms of proton pump inhibitors….another group of less potent, usually less effective, OLDER, LESS COSTLY drugs are: Tagamet HB, Zantac, ranitidine, Pepcid, famatodine, Axid….all are forms of histamine 2 receptor antagonists
-eat smaller portions, smaller meals more slowly
-raise the head of the bed 2"-8" if it seems to help...some controversy whether EVERYONE with GERD will benefit
-sleeplay on the left side of your body when possible
-avoid/limit caffiene in coffee, teas, colas, chocolate, energy drinks....READ LABELS! (causes unwanted relaxation of the pinch valve in the lower esophagus which is named the lower esophageal sphincter or LES)
-avoid nicotine, same situation, it lowers LES pressure, a bad thing in GERD
-avoid mints (spearmint, peppermint, etc.) since they too cause relaxation of the pinch valve of the lower esophagus
-reduce fatty foods; they delay gastric emptying thus exposing the esophagus to gastric regurgitation for a longer period of time
-do not lay down after meals for 2-4 hours
-"barrier" antacids after meals and at bedtime and and for symptom control are Gaviscon or Gaviscon like…store brand is fine
-the mainstay of therapy is medication to reduce (not eliminate) production of acid by the lining of the stomach: omeprazole, PRILOSEC OTC, Nexium, Prevacid, Aciphex, pantoprazole, Protonix, Zegerid, Kapidex are all forms of proton pump inhibitors….another group of less potent, usually less effective, OLDER, LESS COSTLY drugs are: Tagamet HB, Zantac, ranitidine, Pepcid, famatodine, Axid….all are forms of histamine 2 receptor antagonists