Lifestyle Changes You Can Make to Eliminate Heartburn
We don’t need to tell you twice – heartburn is an uncomfortable and disruptive condition, and it’s usually a symptom of GERD. It's essential to address the underlying causes of heartburn to find relief and improve your overall well-being. Today, we'll explore what lifestyle changes help heartburn symptoms naturally. Additionally, we'll discuss when it might be time to consider medical intervention.
What Lifestyle Changes Help Heartburn?
#1: Stop Smoking
Smoking weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce your heartburn episodes.
#2: Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
Eating a good diet that plays well with acid reflux is one of your best options. Here are a few tips for meal-time:
Opt for low-acid foods: Foods with high acidity, like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vinegar-based dressings, can exacerbate heartburn.
Avoid trigger foods: Spicy, fried, and fatty foods are known to trigger heartburn.
Learn More: Identifying Heartburn Triggers: Why You Should Keep a Food Diary
Eat smaller meals: Overeating can put pressure on your stomach, leading to acid reflux.
#3: Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is also incredibly important, not just for heartburn, but for your overall health. We also recommend that you choose water over other beverages. Carbonated drinks, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol can trigger acid reflux. Water is your best hydration option.
#4: Change How You Sleep
Since nighttime is one of the worst times of day for an acid reflux sufferer, changing a few things about how you sleep can help, too.
Elevate your head: Elevating the head of your bed by a few inches can help prevent acid from flowing back into your esophagus while you sleep.
Sleep on your left side: Sleeping on your left side ensures that your stomach sits slightly lower than your esophagus, preventing backflow and reflux.
Avoid eating before bed: Give your body ample time to digest food before lying down.
#5: Wear Loose Clothing
Another thing many people forget is that tight clothing can put extra pressure and strain on your internal organs. So, choosing loose-fitting clothing – especially if you’ll be eating, is the best course of action.
#6: Know When to Get Help
We get it, people want to be the one that says “here’s how I cured my heartburn, naturally.” However, sometimes the condition is more complicated than that. So, we just want you to know when to reach out for help; we’re rooting for your lifestyle changes to work! However, if you aren’t seeing the results you want, don’t be afraid to learn more about surgery:
Exploring The Pros and Cons of Reflux Surgery
Do I Really Need GERD Surgery?
Physical Fixes for GERD
So, can acid reflux be cured with surgery? The short answer is yes. While the specifics will obviously depend on your unique situation, the majority of GERD cases can be resolved with surgery. Our very own Dr. Tapper is highly skilled in these surgeries. You can always contact our office to schedule an appointment with him.