General Surgery Blogs

Dr. Steven Williams in Boise, Idaho

13Dec

Lifestyle Changes for GERD Treatment

Dr. Steve Williams | GERD, general surgeon, general surgery | General Surgery, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) | | View Counts (5540) |Return|

Making lifestyle changes can increase the quality of living daily life with GERD.  Here are a few tips to helping you manage your GERD symptoms.

Diet
Certain foods are known to set off GERD symptoms. Some people experience symptoms when they eat foods that are fried or have a high fat content. Other foods that are associated with GERD are chocolate, onions, mint, and tomato sauce. Cola drinks, orange juice, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages can also be triggers. You may want to keep a food journal to help you identify what foods cause you trouble.

Daily Schedule
Lying down after a meal can provoke heartburn, so you will experience fewer GERD symptoms if you plan your day accordingly. Instead of eating a large evening meal or having a bedtime snack, concentrate your eating early in the day. Make lunch your main meal, and have just a small dinner. After eating, remain sitting or standing. Stay relaxed, though, since too much physical activity after a meal can be problematic for GERD sufferers. Do not lie down or go to bed for at least three hours.

Sleeping
When you do retire for the night, arrange your bed in a way that will help you fight GERD episodes all night long. The idea is to elevate the top half of your body. You can do this by lifting the head of your bed six to nine inches off of the ground with blocks or other supports. You can also use bed wedges that are designed to adjust your position as you sleep.

Other Changes
Keeping pressure off of your abdomen can help relieve GERD symptoms. Gradually losing weight can help alleviate this pressure. Wearing loose clothing that won't cut into your stomach area can help, too.

You might be tempted to use cough drops or hard candies to relieve a GERD-associated cough or sore throat. Unfortunately, these may make symptoms worse. Making lifestyle changes to relieve GERD symptoms is a better way to deal with throat problems.

If you are a smoker, this may be exacerbating your symptoms. Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking.

If your symptoms don't go away or seem to have gotten worse as time goes on, it's time to see a specialist.  Give our office a call to schedule your consultation. Click here for our contact information page.

GERD Boise | GERD Specialist | GERD Surgeon | Boise General Surgery

Sources:
http://www.aboutgerd.org/treatment/diet-lifestyle-changes.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20025201
http://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/laryngopharyngeal-reflux

Related

What is Nissen Fundoplication?

What is Nissen Fundoplication?

Nissen fundoplication is a common surgical procedure used to treat GERD (gastroesophageal reflux dis...

Read More >
When It's Time For Hernia Surgery

When It's Time For Hernia Surgery

A hernia is an unusual sac that forms by your abdominal cavity's inside lining, known as the per...

Read More >
The 4 F's of Gallbladder Surgery

The 4 F's of Gallbladder Surgery

The gallbladder’s function is to store bile that is produced by the liver. For those with gallbladd...

Read More >
Could It Be A Hernia?

Could It Be A Hernia?

A hernia is a little bulging organ or tissue that goes through an abnormal opening. This could happe...

Read More >
What Causes Hernias?

What Causes Hernias?

A hernia is an abnormal protrusion through a muscular wall. As we have previously discussed, a herni...

Read More >
When Moles Become Dangerous: 4 Warning Signs

When Moles Become Dangerous: 4 Warning Signs

Many people have moles (or nevi), which are areas of skin pigmentation that can exist from birth or ...

Read More >

Subscribe

Name

Contact Dr. Steven Williams

Boise's Best General Surgeon

  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *

Call or Contact Us Now
Practicing General Surgery in the Boise area since 2002