Self-Care at Home

Many people can alleviate their symptoms by adjusting their habits and lifestyle. The following steps, when followed, can significantly reduce your reflux:

• Avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime. This allows your stomach to empty and reduces acid production. When you don't eat, your body doesn't produce acid for digestion.
• Similarly, refrain from lying down immediately after eating at any time of the day.
• Elevate the head of your bed by 6 inches with blocks. Gravity helps prevent reflux.
• Avoid consuming large meals. Eating a lot of food at once increases the amount of acid required for digestion. Opt for smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
• Avoid fatty or greasy foods, chocolate, caffeine, mints, mint-flavored foods, spicy foods, citrus, and tomato-based foods. These foods weaken the lower esophageal sphincter.
• Refrain from drinking alcohol, as it increases the likelihood of stomach acid backing up.
• Quit smoking, as it weakens the lower esophageal sphincter and exacerbates reflux. Learn more about smoking.
• Lose excess weight. Overweight and obese individuals are more likely to experience bothersome reflux than those at a healthy weight. Explore weight management through yoga.
• Maintain good posture by standing upright or sitting up straight. This facilitates the passage of food and acid through the stomach instead of backing up into the esophagus.
• If you require over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or medications for osteoporosis, consult your healthcare provider. Some individuals may experience aggravated reflux with these medications.

We understand that making these changes can be challenging. If you need tips on weight loss or quitting smoking, consult your healthcare provider. The knowledge that your heartburn will improve can keep you motivated.

Nonprescription (over-the-counter) remedies

These remedies may help alleviate your symptoms. However, consult your healthcare provider before trying any of them.

Antacids: These are effective when taken one hour after meals and before bedtime as they neutralize existing stomach acid.

• Common brand names of antacids include Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta, and Tums.
• Some antacids are combined with a foaming agent. Stomach foam appears to prevent acid from backing up into the esophagus.
• Using these agents daily for an extended period can lead to side effects such as diarrhea, impaired calcium metabolism, and magnesium accumulation in the body, which can damage the kidneys. Inform your healthcare provider if you use them daily for over three weeks.

Histamine-2 receptor blockers (H2-blockers): These medications prevent acid production.

• H2-blockers are effective only when taken at least one hour before meals since they do not affect existing acid.
• Common H2-blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), ranitidine (Zantac), and nizatidine (Axid).

Follow-up

To achieve the best results, follow your healthcare provider's recommendations regarding medication and lifestyle.

• Keep your healthcare provider informed about your reflux disease management and its effectiveness.
• Attend follow-up appointments regularly. Your healthcare provider may need to adjust your treatment at predetermined intervals or refer you to a specialist if initial therapy is unsuccessful. Honest and timely feedback from you is essential for effective care.

Prevention

The most effective and safe way to prevent reflux disease is by addressing its root causes. Take the following preventive measures:

• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Avoid large meals and refrain from eating within 3 hours of bedtime.
• Limited consumption of fatty or greasy foods, chocolate, caffeine, and other irritants.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Quit smoking.
• Maintain good posture, especially when seated.
• Avoid vigorous physical activity, bending , or stooping on a full stomach.

Outlook

Reflux disease (GERD) is treatable, but relapses are common, especially without lifestyle changes.

• Home care and H2-blockers are effective approximately 60% of the time for individuals with mild-to-moderate disease (grades 1-2).
• Severe esophagitis (grades 3-4) typically requires PPI therapy.
• Relapses may necessitate long-term therapy or surgery to prevent complications.

Complications of acid reflux can include the following. While rare, GERD can be a precursor to these conditions. Prevention through lifestyle changes is the best approach.

• Esophagitis and esophageal ulcers: Inflammation and irritation of the esophageal lining.
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux: Stomach acid entering the throat, causing hoarseness.
• Bleeding: Due to ulcers in the damaged esophageal lining.
• Strictures: Narrowing of the esophagus due to chronic scarring.
• Swallowing difficulties: Resulting from strictures.
• Respiratory problems: Stomach acid entering the airways.
• Barrett esophagus: Changes in esophageal cell lining, a precancerous condition.
• Esophageal cancer: Extremely rare, but a potential complication.