Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes or opens too often, allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.
It is a chronic condition that can be controlled with medication, lifestyle changes, or surgery. The goal is to reduce or eliminate symptoms so you can lead a normal, healthy life.
Diet
GERD can be cured without medications, if you diet properly and effectively. Your diet can have a profound impact on how your body responds to acid reflux symptoms.
It is essential to make sure that your diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods have alkalising properties that can help relieve heartburn and other GERD-related symptoms.
You may also find that changing the size of your meals or avoiding certain types of food can improve your symptoms. Larger meals take longer to digest and often apply extra pressure on your esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter, which can trigger reflux.
Many people suffering from GERD are surprised to learn that they can cure the disease permanently with dietary changes alone. This can reduce the chance of long-term recurrences and even reduce your risk for cancer.
Exercise
If you have GERD, it is vital to exercise properly and effectively to cure your condition permanently. Regular exercise has a wide range of benefits, including improving your overall health and helping to boost your mood.
However, a few types of exercise can trigger reflux and worsen symptoms for people with GERD. This is especially true if you have a high-impact workout.
This is a problem because any activity that puts pressure on your abdomen can relax the lower sphincter muscle, which allows acid to flow back up into the esophagus.
For this reason, it is best to avoid any type of high-impact workout. Rather, choose low-impact exercises such as walking, light jogging, yoga, riding a stationary bike or swimming.
It is also a good idea to delay exercising for one to two hours after you have eaten a meal. This will help to keep food from leaking up into the esophagus and cause heartburn.
Weight Loss
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a common digestive problem. It can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms like heartburn, acid regurgitation and chest pains.
In its normal state, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) keeps stomach contents from coming back up into the esophagus. However, if the LES relaxes and opens at inappropriate times, it can lead to acid reflux.
The good news is that there are several effective ways to cure GERD permanently, without drugs. The first and foremost is to eat healthier foods.
Reducing your intake of sugary, processed foods is one of the most important steps to curing GERD. Fructose can increase bacterial overgrowth in your gut, making GERD symptoms worse.
Avoiding caffeine and carbonated drinks can also help. These drinks contain air which can cause belching and gas pains associated with GERD to become more uncomfortable.
Sleep
Sleep is essential for a healthy heart, and getting enough sleep helps prevent many health problems. It’s also necessary for your body to make proteins and antibodies that fight infections and inflammation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need about 7 hours of sleep per night. If you’re struggling with poor quality sleep, it can impact your health and even affect your ability to think clearly.
People with GERD are at greater risk for getting less restorative sleep. That’s because stomach acid can irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn, chest pain, coughing, and choking when you sleep.
To get better sleep, you should make sure to avoid a few common sleeping positions that aggravate GERD symptoms. These include sleeping flat on your back or sleeping on your side. Instead, try sleeping on an incline to give gravity a little extra power to help keep reflux at bay while you sleep. It’s also a good idea to develop a sleep hygiene routine that involves avoiding excessive alcohol, caffeine, and other stimulants.