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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
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Sleeping Problems (Home) > Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease > Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment
The rubric "lifestyle modifications" is a term that many physicians use when recommending non-pharmaceutical treatments for GERD. In 2006, a review of the treatments for GERD found that dietary changes are far less successful in treating GERD. However, weight loss and elevating the head of the bed were found to be very successful treatments for GERD.
Weight Management
If you are overweight or obese, then the best way to reduce and eliminate your GERD symptoms may be to lose weight. This is not easy however, and you will need to work hard and be disciplined to achieve sufficient weight loss. A healthy, balanced diet, low in fats and sugars, and regular exercise are the keys to weight loss.
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
Certain foods and lifestyle are considered to promote gastroesophageal reflux:
- Avoid coffee (as found in tea, coffee, soft drinks, etc), alcohol, calcium supplements, antacids (containing calcium), and excessive amounts of Vitamin C supplements especially within a few hours of bedtime as these are stimulants of gastric acid secretion.
- Foods high in fats and smoking reduce lower esophageal sphincter competence, so avoiding these tends to help, as well. Fat also delays emptying of the stomach. Milk and milk-based products contain calcium and fat, so should be avoided before bedtime.
- Having more but smaller meals also reduces the risk of GERD, as it means there is less food in the stomach at any one time.
- Avoid eating for at least 2 hours before bedtime.
- Do not lie down after a meal.
- Avoid the chocolate, peppermint, spicy foods, acidic foods (such as oranges and tomatoes), and cruciferous vegetables (such as onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts) especially within 2-3 hours of bedtime.
Elevating The Head Of The Bed
Elevating the head of the bed is an easy change to implement and also highly effective for the treatment of GERD. This can be accomplished by using wooden blocks, or even plastic or wooden bed risers which support bed posts or legs, a bed wedge pillow, or an inflatable mattress lifter that fits in between mattress and base.
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Random Sleeping Tip |
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| In order to have a good night sleep, it is really important that you set a place where you can sleep on a regular basis because if you are sleeping at different places like in the couch, bed etc. then you might not experience a sound sleep every night and this will have a tremendous impact on your life. So once you have organized a place for you to sleep according to your choice then you would find that you are able to get the same good quality sleep every night. |
The height should be elevated 6 to 8 inches high in order to be as effective as possible in hindering the backflow of gastric fluids.
Drug Treatment
- A number of drugs are registered for the treatment of GERD, and they are among the most-often-prescribed forms of medication in most Western countries. They can be used in combination with other drugs, although some antacids can impede the function of other medications:
- Antacids: before meals or symptomatically after symptoms begin can reduce gastric acidity (increase the pH). Alginic acid may coat the mucosa as well as increase the pH and decrease reflux. Warning: some antacids can impede the function of other medications – so, as always, check with your doctor before use.
- Antihistamines (Gastric H2 Receptor Blockers): such as ranitidine or famotidine can reduce gastric secretion of acid and relieve complaints in about 50% of all GERD patients.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors: such as omeprazole are the most effective in reducing gastric acid secretion, as they stop the secretion of acid at the source of acid production. To maximize effectiveness of this medication the drug should be taken a half hour before meals.
- Prokinetics: help strengthen the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) and speed-up gastric emptying.
Surgical Treatment
The standard surgical treatment, sometimes preferred over longtime use of medication, is the Nissen Fundoplication. In this procedure, the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) to strengthen the sphincter and prevent acid reflux, and to repair a hiatal hernia.
Prevention
The best way to prevent the onset of the symptoms and complications of GERD is to seek medical advice and treatment as soon as possible after you notice the symptoms.
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