GERD and Lung Disease - Day 2

Today, we will be looking at the recommendations by the Mayo Clinic for treatment and life style changes you can make if you have GERD. Why has the focus of this blog been on GERD? Tomorrow, we will feature a study that questions whether there is a connection of GERD with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Cause and effect? We who have a lung disease need to have the information regarding GERD and discuss the possibility and testing for it with our doctors. 

Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

Lifestyle changes may help reduce the frequency of heartburn. Consider trying to:

         Maintain a healthy weight. Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up your stomach and causing acid to back up into your esophagus. If your weight is healthy, work to maintain it. If you are overweight or obese, work to slowly lose weight — no more than 1 or 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week. Ask your doctor for help in devising a weight-loss strategy that will work for you.

         Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Clothes that fit tightly around your waist put pressure on your abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter.

         Avoid foods and drinks that trigger heartburn. Everyone has specific triggers. Common triggers such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and caffeine may make heartburn worse. Avoid foods you know will trigger your heartburn.

         Eat smaller meals. Avoid overeating by eating smaller meals.

         Don't lie down after a meal. Wait at least three hours after eating before lying down or going to bed.

         Elevate the head of your bed. If you regularly experience heartburn at night or while trying to sleep, put gravity to work for you. Place wood or cement blocks under the feet of your bed so that the head end is raised by six to nine inches. If it's not possible to elevate your bed, you can insert a wedge between your mattress and box spring to elevate your body from the waist up. Wedges are available at drugstores and medical supply stores. Raising your head with additional pillows is not effective.

         Don't smoke. Smoking decreases the lower esophageal sphincter's