Let Your Lifestyle Lower Your GERD

Anyone with gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD, or severe acid reflux) knows about all the things to try to stop it, before they resort to ‘strong medicines’, or even surgery. The list includes: smoking, alcohol, obesity, caffeine or coffee, citrus drinks, chocolate, spicy food, a late evening meal, and lying too flat in bed. Stanford physicians have looked diligently through the medical literature for evidence of effectiveness of addressing any of these lifestyle factors.

They examined 2000 studies and identified 100 that were relevant, of which only 16 addressed the lifestyle factors directly. They were looking for steps that reduced the acidity at the lower end of the esophagus. Only three measures – weight loss, raising the head of the bed, and sleeping on the left side - were reported to achieve this, along with improved symptoms. There was no evidence that stopping smoking, alcohol use, or other dietary changes improved GERD. So try raising the head of the bed – a couple of phone books would do – and lose some weight. If symptoms persist, see your doctor before embarking on life-long Nexium®, or whatever.