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Ways to minimize GERD symptoms

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 10/22/2007 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Here are some ideas on how to minimize the horrible effects of GERD ... Not everything will work for everyone, these are just general suggestions that I felt would be useful to some of our members.  Anyone who has anything to add, please, FEEL FREE.  1....Do not lie down right after a meal, especially a large meal.  Some suggest being able to wait       2 to 3 hours after a meal before laying down.  2...Avoid physical exertion right after a meal...especially things that involve bending or lifting. 3...If heartburn occurs at night, consider raising the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches uses a wedge      under your matress, or blocks under the head of your bed.  Avoid laying on your right side. 4...Eat smaller meals, more frequently, and try to eat dinner as early in the day as possible.  Some      suggest making lunch your big meal, and dinner your smaller meal.  5...Relax while you eat, and chew your food as much as you can...taking small bites. 6...Avoid certain trigger foods.  These are not the same for everyone, but some examples are:      Choclolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages, spicy food, citrus fruits, fatty and fried foods.       Limit acidy foods such as tomatoes, grapefruits, oranges, and vinegar.  Eat foods high in      protein and low in fat. 7...If you are overweight, try to lose weight.  You can ask your doctor for assistance if you are      having a tough time. 8...If you smoke, STOP .  It is a nasty habit anyway!  (gotta brag, I have been smoke free for 6 mos.) 9...Don't wear tight fitting pants. 10...Believe it or not, avoid stress.  Stress can do a number on your body.  Try to relax. Again, anyone who wants to add to this list...FEEL FREE.  I just thought this could be helpful to those of use who may need some suggestions!!  Some of you may think this is common sense stuff, and maybe it is, but some people may be unaware of how little things like this can make a difference.  
Posted 11/7/2007 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Moving up for new member to get familiar with.
Posted 1/3/2008 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have found the apple juice and Royal gala apples can really help to settle my stomach.

It's worth a try.  I am on 40mg of omeprazole a day so apples are not a micracle cure.... :-(  I simple use apples as a dessert to take the acid out of my food. 

I also take prefief tablets when it's really bad after meals. 

 

Posted 1/3/2008 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for sharing Katie!
Posted 1/4/2008 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
I was surprised to find that taking a walk in the mall helped my gerd. I am not talking about anything strenuous but a pleasant walk in the mall was good and got my mind off the belching I was having as I was driving.

I am down to three coffees a day and am very happy about that.
Posted 1/4/2008 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
One thing that has not been mentioned that is bad is peppermint or mint of any kind. It may settle your stomach but it will relax the LES valve that allows the stomach acid to come back up.

Posted 1/6/2008 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing Canyonbabe! Any input is always appriciated!
Posted 1/6/2008 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
It might be wise to stay away from a lot soda. When I make a smoothie (have to for IBS), I use a straw as I think the bubbles can cause problems. Try to sleep on your left side...but just do the best you can. Can't change everything over night.
Posted 1/7/2008 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Chewing Gum can also help, but only if it isn't minty, minty gum makes it worse.

It causes you to produce a lot of saliva, which contains Bicarbonate, and helps to cancel out the acid in the esophagus.

Be careful with your jaw though, I suffer from a bad jaw (cracking sound all the time) due to chewing too much gum.

And TammyGrl, instead of bumping, why not sticky the thread. The info you posted here is pretty much the essentials when it comes to trying to take care of GERD the natural way.
Posted 1/9/2008 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Ender...we are not able to make threads sticky...that is reserved for the healingwell resources only. I will do my best to bump this topic often, as it is important for everyone to know the information in here. I am glad everyone is adding to this. Thanks!
Posted 1/16/2008 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
Bump for new members and old alike. I hope some of you find some info in here useful, and of course, feel free to add anything you guys have found useful to you!!!
Posted 1/16/2008 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
Stay away from or minimize refined sugar (I love junk food). Minimize your Carb intake, and avoid gravy. Also, some form of exercise appears helpful.
Posted 1/16/2008 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your input!!!
Posted 1/17/2008 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
I'm a substitute teacher and in my bag I carry my GERD emergency kit. A bottle of Mylanta, chewable GasX tablets, bottles of water, (and hidden carefully away from where any kids could find them) some Xanax.
Posted 1/17/2008 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
VERY GOOD IDEA marthamae! It is a good idea to have an emergency kit! Never know when GERD will strike!
Posted 1/18/2008 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
Last time I saw my dr. I had gum in my mouth but was not chewing. He noticed and asked me if I had gum. I said Yes, that I heard it was good for acid reflux and he said it might help a little but it causes gas and that pushes on the valve and causes problems so there went my gum chewing. Also the sugarless gum can play havoc with your stomach if you have IBS or something like that. I thought I had found a good cure. It did seem to help but I did have terrible gas which he said comes from 3 things, swallowing air, carbonated drinks and acid.
Posted 1/18/2008 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for sharing canyon!
Posted 1/30/2008 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Bumping for new members.

If you don't think sounds too weird, go to your local health food store and get some Bragg's unfiltered apple cider vinegar (costs about $3). Also get some honey. I use the store kind but you can use "natural" if you can find it. Twice a day, heat a mug of water for about 1:45 or so in the micro. Add a tablespoon of vinegar and a squirt of honey. Sip on this like you would tea. Avoid coffee or caffeinated tea or mint tea totally.

Try the vinegar drink for a while and see if it helps you. It helped me. If it sounds too strange, skip it. :)
Posted 1/30/2008 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Also, Meryl recommended Phazyme for that awful stomach gas that seems to get stuck in there and you can't burp it up!
Posted 1/30/2008 7:04 PM (GMT 0)

My doctor recommends a glass of organic milk at bedtime.  This helps reduce acid and keeps the acid from leaving the stomach into the throat.

Marburg

TammyGrl0528 said...
Here are some ideas on how to minimize the horrible effects of GERD...

Not everything will work for everyone, these are just general suggestions that I felt would be useful to some of our members. 

Anyone who has anything to add, please, FEEL FREE. 

1....Do not lie down right after a meal, especially a large meal.  Some suggest being able to wait

      2 to 3 hours after a meal before laying down. 

2...Avoid physical exertion right after a meal...especially things that involve bending or lifting.

3...If heartburn occurs at night, consider raising the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches uses a wedge

     under your matress, or blocks under the head of your bed.  Avoid laying on your right side.

4...Eat smaller meals, more frequently, and try to eat dinner as early in the day as possible.  Some

     suggest making lunch your big meal, and dinner your smaller meal. 

5...Relax while you eat, and chew your food as much as you can...taking small bites.

6...Avoid certain trigger foods.  These are not the same for everyone, but some examples are:

     Choclolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages, spicy food, citrus fruits, fatty and fried foods. 

     Limit acidy foods such as tomatoes, grapefruits, oranges, and vinegar.  Eat foods high in

     protein and low in fat.

7...If you are overweight, try to lose weight.  You can ask your doctor for assistance if you are

     having a tough time.

8...If you smoke, STOP.  It is a nasty habit anyway!  (gotta brag, I have been smoke free for 6 mos.)

9...Don't wear tight fitting pants.

10...Believe it or not, avoid stress.  Stress can do a number on your body.  Try to relax.

Again, anyone who wants to add to this list...FEEL FREE.  I just thought this could be helpful to those of use who may need some suggestions!!  Some of you may think this is common sense stuff, and maybe it is, but some people may be unaware of how little things like this can make a difference.

 

Posted 2/9/2008 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Bump for our new readers.
Posted 2/12/2008 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for those who continue to post ideas on here. I feel it is great for people to learn new things that they may not have thought of! And, I am sure people who are really suffering are willing to try anything! Keep the ideas coming all!
Posted 2/16/2008 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Bump for our new members.
Posted 2/17/2008 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
A hot shower before bed helps my indigestion.
Posted 3/2/2008 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Bump for our new members and please, people, add any ideas to this thread.

I'm sure we all could use them.

Anyone want to describe the licorice thing?
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