For managing uncomfortable acid reflux symptoms, a GI specialist says lifestyle and dietary changes are usually the best solution.
Nearly everyone experiences acid reflux symptoms such as heartburn and nausea at some point. Bing Zhang, MD, a gastroenterologist who provides services at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, part of Keck Medicine of USC, says acid reflux is one of the most common issues he addresses with patients. Additionally, the American College of Gastroenterology estimates 1 in 5 Americans has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Luckily, most people who experience acid reflux can manage symptoms largely with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications.
Acid reflux symptoms
What causes acid reflux? The stomach produces acid to digest food. Reflux occurs when the acid travels up into the esophagus through the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is the valve that connects the stomach and the esophagus.
“Think of it as the doorway between the stomach and the esophagus,” Dr. Zhang says. If this valve fails to close properly, “the contents in your stomach can come back up.”
Acid reflux symptoms include:
- Heartburn
- Chest or belly pain
- Chest pressure
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sore throat
- Nausea
- Chronic coughing
It’s common to experience acid reflux symptoms after eating a large meal or while lying down. Patients who are pregnant or overweight may experience acid reflux more often.
Foods and drinks to avoid with acid reflux
To address acid reflux, “I usually recommend lifestyle and dietary changes first,” Dr. Zhang says.
He explains that certain foods and drinks can “decrease the tightness of the LES” and lead to acid reflux symptoms. These foods and other common triggers include:
- Spicy foods
- Fatty foods
- Acidic foods
- Chocolate
- Garlic and onions
- Tomatoes
- Peppermint
- Carbonated beverages
- Caffeinated drinks like coffee
- Alcohol
“Another thing is chewing gum, because it causes you to swallow a lot of saliva and air. When you swallow a lot of air, it has to come out,” Dr. Zhang says. He adds that foods like popcorn and cotton candy can have a similar effect if eaten in large quantities because of the air they contain. Avoiding trigger foods and drinks can help patients prevent acid reflux symptoms.
How to get rid of acid reflux
Home remedies to prevent acid reflux include lifestyle adjustments. One option Dr. Zhang recommends is to have your biggest meal earlier in the day and eat a smaller dinner.
“This is because after dinner, we may start relaxing and lie down. But staying upright for at least two or three hours after eating helps with digestion,” Dr. Zhang says, pointing out that people are more likely to remain sitting up or be active after eating in the middle of the day.
He also discourages eating fatty or greasy foods in the evening because they decrease the speed of digestion. “By the time you go to sleep, the greasy food is still in your stomach,” which can cause acid reflux symptoms at night.
Other solutions include using extra pillows to keep the head elevated while sleeping and wearing looser clothing that doesn’t press on the stomach.
“Weight loss is also key because it decreases the pressure on the stomach,” he adds.
Acid reflux remedies
For occasional acid reflux, Dr. Zhang says familiar over-the-counter acid reflux medicine such as Pepcid, Tums and Mylanta can help get rid of acid reflux quickly. “They’re the fastest because they neutralize the acid that comes up,” he explains.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with brand names like Prevacid, Prilosec and Nexium are also available without a prescription.
“PPIs stop the protein that produces stomach acid,” Dr. Zhang says. “The important thing with a PPI is to remember to take it on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes to an hour before eating.”
There are surgical procedures to address severe acid reflux or GERD, but Dr. Zhang says they may be considered if the combination of lifestyle and dietary modifications along with medications fail to control the symptoms. “The acid reflux has to be pretty bad before you’d consider more invasive interventions. Most people choose against that route.”
For patients experiencing chronic acid reflux that interrupts their daily life, Dr. Zhang advises talking to their doctor about it.
Author: Erin Laviola