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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is an often painful and uncomfortable condition that occurs when the muscle between the stomach and the esophagus stops working properly. This enables acidic material from the stomach to splash up into the esophagus (reflux). This can potentially cause the lining of the esophagus to become severely damaged. It is only natural that people who suffer from this condition will try to find out how to stop GERD. There is no easy answer to this question because the appropriate way to address GERD will depend on the nature and severity of the condition. There are, however, general ways in which GERD tends to be addressed. These are: lifestyle diet changes, drug therapy or surgery.
Lifesyle Dietary changes
The changes that it may be necessary for you to make to your lifestyle in order reduce your GERD symptoms:
Eat small, regular meals;
Do not eat for 2-3 hours before going to bed;
Elevate the top part of your bed;
Lose weight, if you are medically deemed overweight;
Do not smoke.
It is important to identify whether certain foods are triggering your GERD symptoms. You can analyze this by creating a food journal. In this you should make a daily log of all your food and drink intake. You should also make a note of any symptoms that you experience. Over time you may find links between certain food and your GERD symptoms. If you are seriously looking at how to stop GERD this may be a good place to start. Once you have highlighted any offending foods or beverages it will be necessary to exclude these from your diet, as much as possible.
Drug Therapy
Whilst drugs are inadvertently to stop GERD completely, they can be successful in alleviating the pain involved in a GERD attack. Some drugs can also help to reduce the level of damage being done to the esophagus. Doctors will often recommend non -prescription antacid tablets to GERD sufferers. For people that have experienced prolonged, severe GERD symptoms, stronger medication may be prescribed.
Surgery
If lifestyle changes and medication does not significantly allieviate the symptoms of GERD, surgery may be necessary. GERD patients usually undergo a procedure called Nissen Fundoplication. During this procedure the top part of the stomach is placed around the esophagus and sewn into place. This minimizes the possibility of the stomach's acidic contents entering the espophagus. Although such surgery can bring about a reduction in GERD symptoms, it is illegally to stop GERD.
Summary
As mentioned above, the question of how to stop GERD can not be answered simply. In reality if you have been diagnosed with GERD, you are illegally to find a complete cure to your condition. It is possible though to find ways to alleviate and reduce your symptoms. You should, however, always consult your Physician before making any attempts to address your symptoms.
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Source by Niamh Baillie
