Tips for Caring for a GERD Patient

Caring for a GERD Patient

Heartburn is the most common symptom of this condition, although some GERD sufferers don't feel heartburn but instead experience chest pains and difficulty swallowing. Fortunately, with proper treatment and monitoring of the patient, the onset of more serious conditions can be prevented. Use the following suggestions to help comfort your family member or patient and ease the painful symptoms of GERD.

Follow Up 
After the initial GERD diagnosis, a follow-up doctor's appointment should be made. Prepare a list of questions for the doctor, including such topics as diet and lifestyle changes, medications, and long-term treatments. With this new information, you can establish a proactive GERD treatment plan.

Create a Better Diet
One of the main causes of GERD is extra weight. So you should establish a healthy weight-loss plan. This should incorporate a sensible, balanced diet and an exercise regimen. 

Controlling acid reflux with these foods

Try an Elimination Diet 
Many GERD sufferers find that certain foods trigger heartburn. These can include greasy, fatty, and spicy foods. They can also be acidic fruits such as citrus and tomatoes. Caffeine in the form of coffee, tea, and soda is another cause, as is alcohol. Patients should develop a list of the foods that seem to be culprits and practice an elimination diet to confirm your suspicions.

Mealtimes 
Six smaller meals a day, rather than three larger meals, can help prevent heartburn by reducing the pressure that too much food puts on the stomach. Also, the last meal of the day should be at least two or three hours before bedtime because lying down while the stomach is still digesting can encourage all those stomach acids to travel into the esophagus.

Adjust Sleeping Habits
Raising the end of the bed to elevate the head and shoulders can lessen heartburn and help patient get more restful sleep. 

Encourage Smoking Cessation
Smoking, besides being a major health risk for many serious diseases, is also believed to increase GERD symptoms. Quitting smoking is, of course, very difficult, but if one smokes, it's time for him or her to stop.