Acid reflux can turn a good meal into an unpleasant experience. Burning in the chest, a sour taste in the mouth, frequent burping, and throat irritation occur when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus.
At GI Specialists of Houston, we understand how uncomfortable acid reflux can be, especially when it occurs frequently. Our skilled gastroenterologists offer custom treatment plans featuring nonsurgical therapies to protect your esophageal health.
If you develop chronic reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), that’s not manageable with medications or lifestyle changes, you may be a candidate for a nonsurgical transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) to repair weakness in the muscle that allows acid to flow backward.
Lifestyle changes are usually the first step in managing acid reflux. Below, we’ve outlined our recommendations for preventing chronic acid reflux.
Here are seven practical tips for controlling acid reflux symptoms.
Large meals increase pressure in the stomach, making it easier for acid to move upward.
Instead of eating one or two heavy meals, try smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This can be especially helpful in the evening, when overeating might lead to nighttime symptoms.
Gravity helps keep stomach contents where they belong. Lying down too soon after a meal can increase the risk of reflux.
A good rule of thumb is to wait at least two to three hours after eating before going to bed or reclining.
Common reflux triggers include spicy foods, fried or fatty meals, chocolate, peppermint, citrus, tomatoes, coffee, and carbonated drinks.
Keep a simple food journal for a couple of weeks to track when symptoms appear. This makes it easier to spot patterns without unnecessarily cutting out foods you enjoy.
If reflux symptoms disrupt your sleep, try elevating your upper body at night. Using extra pillows often bends your body at the waist, which can worsen pressure on the stomach and intensify reflux symptoms.
Instead, try raising the head of the bed or using a wedge pillow designed for reflux support.
Excess weight, especially around the abdomen, can put pressure on the stomach and the lower esophageal sphincter.
Even a small weight loss can reduce reflux symptoms for some people.
Alcohol and tobacco irritate the digestive system and may relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle that helps keep stomach acid from backing up.
Reducing alcohol and quitting smoking can support better reflux control and improve your overall health.
Lifestyle changes can make a big difference, but frequent or severe reflux should not be ignored.
Talk with our gastroenterology team if symptoms happen several times a week, interfere with sleep, require regular over-the-counter medicine, or are accompanied by:
Persistent symptoms may need immediate medical treatment to prevent additional complications.
Call the GI Specialists of Houston office nearest you today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for persistent acid reflux, or book an online consultation.
