Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing discomfort, heartburn, and, sometimes, more severe complications. If you’re suffering from frequent heartburn, chest pain, or regurgitation, it’s important to manage GERD to prevent long-term damage. In this blog, our gastroenterologists explain how managing GERD often requires a combination of lifestyle adjustments and medical intervention.
Lifestyle Changes: How to Treat GERD Naturally
Managing GERD often starts with adjusting your daily habits. These natural methods can significantly reduce symptoms without the need for medication.
Nutrition
The foods you eat play a significant role in managing GERD symptoms. Acidic, spicy, and fatty foods can trigger heartburn, so it is crucial to maintain a GERD-friendly diet. Incorporate more fiber-rich vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains while avoiding certain foods such as citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, and caffeine. Smaller, more frequent meals can also help prevent the build-up of excess stomach acid.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Carrying extra weight, especially around the abdomen, can put pressure on the stomach, worsening acid reflux. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can reduce the likelihood of acid reflux and lessen the strain on your digestive system.
Avoid Large Meals
Overeating can overwhelm your stomach and lead to increased acid production. Eating smaller portions throughout the day instead of three large meals can help to minimize reflux. This helps prevent the stomach from becoming too full, reducing pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and decreasing the risk of acid reflux.
Avoid Lying Down Immediately After Eating
Gravity plays a crucial role in keeping stomach acid where it belongs. Lying down soon after a meal can cause acid to move upward into the esophagus. Stay upright for at least two to three hours after eating. If you experience symptoms overnight, consider elevating your head when you sleep.
Medication
Medications can offer relief when lifestyle changes aren’t enough to control GERD symptoms fully. Several types of medications help reduce acid production or neutralize stomach acid, including:
- Antacids: These over-the-counter medications neutralize stomach acid and can provide quick, short-term relief.
- H2 blockers: These medications reduce the acid your stomach produces and provide longer-lasting symptom relief.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): PPIs are often recommended for more severe cases of GERD. They significantly decrease acid production, allowing the esophagus to heal.
It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any medication.
Surgery
For patients with severe GERD that doesn’t respond to lifestyle changes or medication, surgery may be an option. Surgical interventions aim to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to prevent acid reflux.
The most common procedure is fundoplication, where the top of the stomach is wrapped around the LES to reinforce its closure. Sometimes transoral incisionless fսոԁοрliϲatiοn (TIF) is recommended instead of an open surgery. Another option is the magnetic sphincter augmentation, where a small magnetic ring is implanted around the LES to prevent acid from backing up into the esophagus while still allowing food to pass into the stomach.
Surgery is typically considered only when other treatments have failed, and it can provide long-term relief for chronic GERD sufferers.
Effectively managing GERD often requires a combination of lifestyle adjustments and medical intervention. Simple changes like eating smaller meals, avoiding certain foods, and staying upright after eating can make a big difference. NYGA offers personalized treatment plans for persistent symptoms, including nutrition counseling, medications, and surgical options, to help you find relief.
Don’t wait – prioritize your health today.