Is it possible to control your GERD symptoms without taking drugs?

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Subject: Is it possible to control your GERD symptoms without taking drugs?

Is it possible to control your GERD symptoms without taking drugs?

This article gives you some tips.

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Dietary Changes:
People with heartburn should first try lifestyle and dietary changes. In one study, 44% of patients who experienced symptoms of GERD reported improvement after changing their diet. People with heartburn should avoid or reduce consumption of foods and beverages that contain caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, spearmint, alcohol, and fat. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee increase acid secretion. All carbonated drinks increase the risk for GERD.

Prevention of Nighttime GERD:
Lying flat can produce intense acid reflux. After meals, chronic heartburn sufferers should take a walk or, at the very least, remain upright. Bedtime snacks should be avoided. To help keep acid in the stomach at night, a patient may need to raise the bed at an angle using four- to six-inch blocks at the head of the bed or a wedge-support that elevates the top half of the body so that the patient's body is tilted up. Extra pillows that only raise the head actually increase the risk for reflux.

Chewing Gum:
Because saliva helps neutralize acid and contains a number of other factors that protect the esophagus, chewing gum 30 minutes after a meal has been found to help relieve heartburn and even protect against damage caused by GERD. In fact, chewing on anything at all can help, since it stimulates production of saliva.

Avoiding NSAIDs:
Many physicians advise GERD patients to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil,) or naproxen (Aleve), among others. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a good alternative.

Other Lifestyle Changes:
Quitting smoking is, of course, essential. People who are overweight should try to reduce. People with GERD should avoid tight clothing, particularly around the abdomen.