Rest and Sleep Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Rest and sleep 

• Do not lie down immediately after a meal.
  Allow at least two hours between eating and bed time .
  Prop up the head end of the bed by 6 inches ( place bricks under the legs of the bed) . Then it will be difficult for the stomach contents to enter into the oesophagus. 

Foods to avoid 

• Alcohol
  Peppermint
  Chocolate
  All caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, and soft drinks)
  Fatty foods 

Activities to avoid

• Smoking 
  Wearing clothes which are tight at the waist
  Overeating (weight loss may help GERD in overweight persons) 

Medications

If lifestyle modifications fail to relieve the symptoms, medications are tried. Commonly used medication groups are : 

Antacids medications : They produce relief by reducing the acidity of the stomach contents.

Prokinetic agents (e.g. metoclopramide, cisapride, mosapride, itopride) : They improve the mobility of the intestines. The drug is to be taken orally 30 minutes before lunch and before dinner. 

H2 Blockers : Ranitidine famotidine and proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomrezaole and rabeprzole reduce the acid production in the stomach.

Surgical Procedures

Most people with heartburn can be successfully treated with lifestyle and dietary modifications and medication. In up to 80 per cent of patients with moderate to severe GERD, recurrence of symptoms occurs when medical treatment is stopped. For such patients and patients who require large doses of medicines to remain symptom-free or are unable to stop medicines, surgical procedures to prevent reflux may be required.
Fundoplication is the surgical procedure done to tighten the lower oesophageal muscle. Surgery is not always permanently successful and can cause complications. Recently, less invasive endoscopy techniques have been developed to tighten the oesophagus /stomach barrier. 

Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Causes of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Complications of Long-terms Reflux and Heartburn
Lifestyle Modifications of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Rest and sleep for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease