Lifestyle Changes for Heartburn Patients
There are some lifestyle changes that you can make to decrease the severity of heartburn and acid reflux. These include:
- Elevate the head of your bed 4-6 inches
- Stop smoking. Tobacco inhibits saliva, which is the body's major buffer.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Avoid tight fitting clothing.
- Lose weight if overweight.
- Modify your diet. Nutrition therapy assists with control of symptoms related to GERD and can increase the effectiveness of medications you might have to take.
- Reducing total fat in your daily diet
- Avoid foods such as chocolate, mint, greasy or spicy foods, and tomato dishes.
- Eat small, frequent meals (six to eight per day) to avoid pushing stomach acid into the esophagus.
- Drink only a small amount of liquid at mealtime; get the fluids you need by drinking throughout the rest of the day.
- Stay upright and do not recline for 3 hours after eating.
- Avoid bending over or straining immediately after eating.
- Limit caffeine intake (coffee, tea, and cola drinks).
- Avoid carbonated beverages, chewing gum, and drinking through a straw, which produces excess gas in your stomach.
Rex Heartburn Center
Phone: (919) 784-BURN (2876)
Fax: (919) 784-7532
