Lifestyle Adjustments to Prevent Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Do you experience a burning sensation in your chest after taking certain meals? Worst, do you have a backwash that feels like sour liquid? If you answer yes to those questions, you could suffer from GERD. This digestive condition occurs when the stomach content flows back to the esophagus. Although many individuals have acid reflux less frequently, once it occurs more often, it can hold the quality of your life hostage. Fortunately, certain lifestyle adjustments can help prevent this condition. Below are the tips that a Houston, TX gastroenterologist recommends to lower the chances of GERD.

Maintain the Healthy Weight

Many individuals who are overweight have reported acid reflux and GERD. Essentially the extra fat within the stomach lining puts pressure on the abdomen, thus forcing the stomach acid into the esophagus. Therefore, you should work with your primary care provider to calculate your body mass index (BMI). If your BMI is twenty-five and above, you should consider shedding extra weight to maintain your digestive health.

Watch Out for Your Eating Habits

Certain meals can increase the risk of GERD. Although the reflux triggers may vary from one individual to another fatty foods, onions, and spicy meals are common triggers. You should therefore identify your triggers and learn how to avoid them. In addition, you should eat small portions since large meals can exert more pressure and increase the risk of GERD.

Avoid Laying Down Immediately After the Meal

After enjoying your favorite meal, most of the stomach content will be acidic. By standing or sitting erect, gravity will help avoid the esophagus’s content. Although you may be tempted to go to bed right after taking the meal, this is a bad idea since it can ignite heartburn.

Review Your Medications

The medication that you take could be the reason for your increased GERD symptoms. For example, anti-inflammatory drugs increase the acidic content, which usually irritates the swelling esophagus lining. Therefore, you should discuss with your doctor the medications that you take.

Your doctor will prescribe alternative medications that do not harm the upper digestive tract. 

Stop Smoking

Another reason to quit smoking is to keep your digestive system in good condition. The nicotine chemicals usually cause the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter muscles. This instance makes it easy for the stomach content to flow back to the esophagus. Additionally, smoking lowers the saliva’s PH, thus reducing its capacity to clear the acid within the upper digestive tract.

Wear a Comfortable Outfit

You may not understand the link between your clothing and acid reflux. The tight-fitting clothes usually exert unnecessary pressure on your stomach, causing GERD over time. Therefore, your obsession with fashion should never undermine your digestive health. Wear loose-fitting clothes for your good. 

Heartburn after eating your favorite meal is one of the debilitating experiences. The regurgitation can also cause embarrassment, especially when you enjoy meals with loved ones. Fortunately, the above tips can help you reduce the chances of GERD, thus saving you from such symptoms. Eat mindfully to avoid meals that can ignite GERD symptoms. Also, it would help if you spaced out your dinner with bedtime to reduce the chances of acid reflux. However, you should seek the relevant treatment options if you notice GERD symptoms despite your preventive efforts.