The SAFE Way to improve Acid Reflux

How to safely address your acid reflux disease

Acid reflux disease has become a common problem afflicting many Americans.  Everyone wants the magic pill to make it go away, and there are excellent medications to help with reflux. However, there are 4 things that a patient can do to help with your reflux. Dr. Weisberg calls it the SAFE way to eliminate or improve acid reflux.

S – STOP

Stop Smoking. There is a direct link between cigarette smoking and acid reflux disease. If you can stop smoking or at least cut back on the number of cigarettes smoked daily, your reflux will improve.

A – ADJUST

Adjust the head of your bed. Studies have shown that elevating the head of the bed six inches above the foot of the bed can help stop acid reflux as effectively as many medications. For those beds that can’t be elevated, a wedge pillow is just as effective. If you can’t tolerate six inches, two to four inches helps many people.

 F – FAST

Fast for three to four hours before lying down. Most of the damage from acid reflux occurs while you sleep. By not eating for three to four hours you reduce the amount of acid produced by your stomach, so there will be less acid to reflux up into your esophagus.

E – ELIMINATE

Eliminate weight. Losing weight if you are overweight makes a tremendous difference when dealing with acid reflux. The more abdominal weight, the more pressure that is exerted to push acid and stomach contents into the esophagus and cause acid reflux. Sometimes all it takes is a modest, five to ten- pound weight loss.

 

There you have it: The SAFE Way that you can improve if not eliminate your acid reflux. If you continue to have acid reflux, contact Dr. Michael Weisberg for an appointment.