More than Heartburn

If you're familiar with a painful burning sensation in your chest after you eat, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  When you have GERD, stomach acid feels as if it's backing up toward your mouth.  Heartburn is a classic symptom of GERD, but you may have felt other symtoms as well.

Some Common Symptoms

If you have GERD, you may experience:

• Frequent heartburn or heartburn at night

• Sour tasting fluid backing up into your mouth

• Frequent need for antacids

• Frequent burping or belching

• Symptoms that get worse after you eat, bend over, or lie down

• Difficult or painful swallowing

Note: Chest pain caused by GERD may feel similar to that caused by heart problems, so be sure to have all chest pain evaluated by a doctor.

Your Evaluation

During your evaluation, your doctor asks you questions about your symptoms and lifestyle and may do some tests (such as an x-ray, endoscopy, or blood test).  This helps determine the cause of your symptoms and helps your doctor choose the best treatment for you.

Getting Relief

Lifestyle changes or medications can often control GERD.  Talk to your doctor about the following suggestions, which may help you get relief.

Watch Your Eating Habits

Certain foods may increase the acid in your stomach or relax the LES, making GERD more likely.  It's best to avoid them.   They include:

• Coffee, tea, and cola drinks (with or without caffeine)

• Carbonated drinks

• Fatty or spicy food

• Mint

• Chocolate

• Onions and tomatoes

Avoid any other foods that seem to irritate your stomach or cause you pain.

Beware of Tobacco and Alcohol

Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol can make GERD more likely and make your symptoms worse.  Try avoiding both tobacco and alcohol and see if your condition improves.

Raise Your Head

Reflux is more likely to strike when you're lying down flat, because stomach fluid can flow backward more easily.  Try raising the head of your bed 4 to 6 inches.  To do this, slide blocks or books under the legs at the head of your bed, or place a wedge under the mattress.  Tilt the whole bed or mattress rather than trying to sleep on several pillows, which increases pressure on your stomach and can actually make GERD worse.

Ask Your Doctor About Medications

Your doctor may recommend medication to reduce stomach acid and improve the working of your digestive system.  Also, your doctor can tell you which medications to avoid because they may make GERD worse.

If Surgery Is Needed

In very rare cases, GERD may not respond to lifestyle changes or medication.  Surgery may then be necessary.   Your doctor can give you more information about surgery for GERD.

Additional Tips

Here are some other things you can do to help relieve your GERD symptoms:

• Eat smaller meals, even if you have to eat more often.  This makes it easier for your LES to hold the food in your stomach.
• Don't lie down right after you eat.  Wait a few hours for your stomach to empty.
• Avoid tight belts and tight- fitting clothes.   These put too much pressure on your stomach.
• Lose extra weight.  Too much weight can put pressure on your abdomen and lead to reflux.