Are you or someone you know struggling with GERD? If so, you know that it can be a real pain – both literally and figuratively. Cases are becoming more common in San Antonio, Texas. GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition in which stomach acids flow back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn, chest pain, and other uncomfortable symptoms. But don’t worry – there are plenty of things you can do to keep GERD at bay. Pay a visit to a GERD San Antonio specialist first. Here are eight simple tips.
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Avoid Large Meals
Eating large meals is one of the primary triggers of GERD. It puts pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscular valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus when your stomach is full. This pressure can cause the LES to open, allowing stomach acids to flow back up into the esophagus. So try to eat smaller meals more often, instead of three large meals a day.
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Avoid Eating Soon Before Going to Bed
Another trigger of GERD is eating close to bedtime. When you lie down after a meal, gravity doesn’t work to keep the food and stomach acids in your stomach where they belong. So try to eat at least two or three hours before going to bed.
In particular, avoid lying down after sleep. When you lie down, gravity pulls the stomach acids and food down into the esophagus, which can trigger GERD symptoms. So try to stay upright for a few hours after eating or avoid sleeping right after you eat.
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Avoid Certain Foods
Foods that are high in fat can also trigger GERD symptoms. The oil in these foods causes the stomach acids to linger in the esophagus, leading to discomfort. So try to avoid foods like pizza, burgers, and fried chicken.
Spicy foods are also another common trigger of GERD. They can cause the stomach acids to flow up into the esophagus, leading to heartburn and other unpleasant symptoms.
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Drink Plenty of Water
Water can help flush out the stomach acids and keep them from flowing back up into the esophagus. So make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day – especially if you’re eating spicy or fatty foods.
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Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
Alcohol and caffeine can both trigger GERD symptoms. Alcohol relaxes the LES, allowing stomach acids to flow back up into the esophagus. And caffeine is a known stimulant, increasing the risk of GERD symptoms.
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Quit Smoking
Smoking is another known trigger of GERD. It can weaken the LES and increase the production of stomach acids. So if you smoke, try to quit – it could help improve your GERD symptoms.
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Take Antacids
If you experience frequent heartburn or other GERD symptoms, you may need to take antacids to help neutralize the stomach acids. Talk to your doctor about which antacid is suitable for you.
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Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise can help improve your overall health and reduce your risk of GERD. Exercise helps keep the digestive system functioning correctly, and it also helps control weight – a significant factor in GERD risk.
So there you have it – eight simple tips to help keep GERD at bay. Try incorporating some of these tips into your daily routine, and you should start to see a difference in your symptoms.
