New Year, New GERD Resolutions, New You
We can’t believe it’s already 2023. When did that happen?
This is the time of year for reflection and new resolutions. How did your resolutions turn out last year? Perhaps this is the year you tackle your acid reflux issues and solve your problems for good. If so, you can do it! In this blog, we’re going to take a look at what lifestyle changes can help GERD, what helps relieve GERD fast, and answer the common question, how can I stop GERD from getting worse?
1. Clean Up Your Diet
We know this sounds a lot easier than it actually is, but altering your diet can actually be a great way to feel better and become healthier. Plus, eliminating certain trigger foods can even help you reduce your GERD symptoms! For example, you can start by removing the following trigger foods, and work your way up to any diet you want. Or, you can just go cold turkey to a diet you’ve been meaning to try!
Related: Check out Diet For Acid Reflux: 10 Meal Plan Ideas To Get You Losing Weight
Trigger Foods to Avoid With GERD
Anything with caffeine
Most alcohol
Any high-acid foods, including tomato products and citrus
Chocolate, which contains theobromine (also known as dimethylxanthine and very similar to caffeine)
Foods with high fat content; for example, fried foods and fatty pieces of meat
Foods to Choose Instead
Non-acidic fruit like cantaloupe, honeydew, and banana
Vegetables, like celery, greens, and legumes
Ginger to help soothe an upset stomach
Egg whites (they are lower in fat than their yolk counterparts)
Lean meats like the white meat of pork and chicken
2. Kick the Cigarettes to the Curb
Did you know that cigarettes could be contributing to your GERD? Not to mention the host of other health problems that cigarettes cause, this is simply one great reason to quit smoking for good. If you’ve tried to quit in the past and failed, it might be time for some more serious attempts. Ask your doctor what they can do to help you quit cigarettes for good. Your body will thank you.
3. Lose Weight
You probably already know if you have a few pounds to lose or not, and you likely know why it’s a good idea. Aside from all of the other health benefits of being a healthy weight (we know it’s hard!), your GERD symptoms would probably decrease considerably with less internal weight pushing into your body cavity. Remember that excess fat isn’t just carried externally, underneath our skin – it also builds up inside our body cavity, crowding out our other organs and causing issues there, too.
4. Talk to a GERD Specialist
If you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to be working, it’s time to get you off of those H2 blockers, antacids, or PPI medications for good. If you live in the Tampa Bay area, get a referral to our office from your general care practitioner, or any other gastrointestinal doctor you may have seen in the past for your GERD. Our team of experts can help you kick your GERD to the curb with one of three surgeries:
TIF, a minimally invasive (all of the procedure is done through the mouth) partial fundoplication
LINX, which uses a small ring of magnetic beads to reinforce the LES
Lap Nissen, a full fundoplication that uses laparoscopic techniques
You know you’re ready for a change; all you need to do is commit to it and make it happen! This year, you can beat your GERD for good! So, get out there are get started!