GERD: Prevention and Complications

Prevention Tips

  • Avoid eating fatty and spicy foods
  • Elevate the head of your bed 6-8 inches to prevent the backflow of gastric juices
  • Avoid large meals eat smaller meals
  • Eat 3 hrs before going to bed and avoid bed time snacks
  • Wear looser clothing. Tight clothing can promote reflux of acid contents
  • Patients who have trouble swallowing should avoid tough meats, vegetables with skins, doughy bread, and pasta.
  • Avoid or reduce consumption of foods and beverages that contain caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, spearmint, and alcohol.
  • When going to bed, try lying on the left side rather than the right side
  • After meals, take a walk
  • People who are overweight should try to diet and exercise to lose weight.
  • If drugs you are taking seem to be the cause of your heartburn, talk with your doctor about them.
  • Eat less spicy food, less tomato, less chilly, less masala, loose weight, avoid tea, coffee, chocolates, alcohol, smoking. 
  • Drink lot of water
Prevention image for GERD

Watch Out

  • Extreme stomach pain
  • Pain when swallowing

When to See Doctor

  • Severe chest pain
  • Nausea and vomiting ( if you are vomiting blood or black material)
  • Diarrhea or black or bloody bowel movements
Consult a doctor
  • If your symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks of home treatment, are different or are getting worse, or are interfering with normal activities.
  • You are having difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing
  • Your heartburn is causing you to have nausea or vomiting (blood in vomit)
  • You have experienced a drastic weight loss
  • You have chronic hoarseness or wheezing, or your asthma has worsened
  • You are having chest pain accompanied by pain in the neck, jaw, arms, or legs; shortness of breath, weakness, irregular pulse, or sweating
  • You have extreme stomach pain
  • You are experiencing diarrhea or black or bloody bowel movement





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