Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition affecting about one in five U.S. adults. It is characterized by the frequent flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. Let’s take a look at GERD symptoms and how you can manage future flare-ups.
What Does a Gerd Flare-up Feel Like?
GERD can lead to symptoms including but not limited to:
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation
- Upper abdominal pain
- Difficulty swallowing or loss of appetite
- A lump-in-the-throat sensation
- Chronic cough
- Inflamed throat and vocal cord
GERD flare-ups can be highly uncomfortable, disrupting sleep, diminishing appetite and potentially causing long-term damage to the esophagus. Common ways to minimize GERD flare-ups include managing food triggers and exploring medical intervention when necessary.
Managing Food Triggers
While foods and beverages aren’t usually the root cause of GERD, they can certainly exacerbate symptoms. While every patient is different, common food triggers include fatty or spicy foods, garlic and onion, mint, acidic fruits and fruit juices, caffeine and alcohol.
If you notice a correlation between consuming these items and your GERD symptoms, try starting an elimination diet. Remove triggers from your diet and add them back in one at a time, paying close attention to how the food affects your symptoms. For example, if you notice that coffee triggers your symptoms, swap your afternoon latte for a Stylus & Crate hot tea. If your symptoms improve, you may consider avoiding these triggers long-term.
The size of your meals often matters as much in GERD prevention as what you’re eating. Eat four small meals throughout the day to avoid excessive stomach expansion. Additionally, avoid lying down immediately after eating; give yourself a few hours to digest your last meal before bedtime to reduce the likelihood of nighttime reflux.
Explore Medical Options
Several over-the-counter medications like antacids and alginates can subdue your symptoms as they appear—though you should avoid taking them too often. For severe GERD, your ENT specialist may prescribe H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors or muscle relaxants to minimize symptoms.
In some cases, surgery might be the best option to prevent GERD flare-ups. Two common surgeries include a Nissen fundoplication or a LINX device implant. During a fundoplication, your provider will wrap the top of the stomach around the lower esophagus and tighten the connection to prevent acid reflux. A LINX device, a small ring of magnetic beads, helps prevent reflux by wrapping around the junction point between the stomach and the esophagus.
GERD management is not one-size-fits-all. Your ENT specialist can help you determine the right treatment path for your condition’s cause, triggers and severity. Contact Advantage ENT & Audiology today to schedule an appointment.