Anti-Reflux Dietary Measures:

1.      No bedtime snacking or eating for at least 2 hours before you lie down for the night.

2.      Always take a drink to clear the esophagus after eating any food, particularly “baked goods”.

3.      Ways to minimize reflux and heartburn:

·         Quit smoking

·         Smaller, less frequent portions of food.

·         Avoid fried, fatty and spicy foods as much as possible; particularly before bedtime

·         You can have a morning cup of coffee, but after that time, try to avoid caffeine or caffeine-like chemicals contained in coffee, tea, cola and chocolate

·         You can have a morning cup of orange or other citrus fruits or juices; but after that time try to avoid all fruit juices since they are acidic (the more “tart;” the more acid)

·         Try to stay away from tomato products: juice, sauce and paste (e.g. spaghetti, lasagna, pizza, ketchup)

·         Completely avoid: peppermints, wintergreen or spearmint, chewing gum

·         Alcohol, and if you must, only with meals and in moderation

·         Carbonated beverages (all that fizz increases intra-gastric pressure)

·         Avoid pregnancy

Medications:

1.      For acute heartburn try chewing Gaviscon Extra Strength which foams and coats the esophagus when swallowed.

2.      First-line preventive medications include: Axid, Pepcid (famotidine), and Zantac (ranitidine). Some of these medications are available over-the-counter. These medications can be taken with meals.

3.      Second line preventive medications include: Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec and Protonix. These drugs block the formation of stomach acid. They work best when taken on an empty stomach (either first thing in the morning ½ to 1 hour before breakfast and/or ½ to 1 hour before supper). With the exception of Protonix, these drugs work poorly when taken at bedtime.