Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease - Useful expedients

Good dietary habits play a prominent role in the cure of the reflux disease, associated with a regular lifestyle and reduced stress levels. Lifestyle can be important in order to deal with a disease and avoid the occurence of more serious illnesses.

It has been proved that some food and/or wrong behaviours can promote the occurrence of gastroesophogeal reflux because they extend the duration of the stomach emptying, and are irritating.

By sticking to these helpful tips, one can limit the quantity and/or the severity of the occurrence.

The rules to be followed are both behavioural and food-related.

As far as the behavioural norms are concerned:

1. Eat slowly: food grinding inside the mouth helps the subsequent gastric activity. By eating slowly and keeping the food in the mouth longer, saliva starts to digest it.
2. Have various and small meals: avoid nosh-ups that affect the duration of the gastric emptying.
3. Quit smoking
4. Don't go to sleep straight after meals
5. Pull up the pillow of 10-15 cm during the waking state and the night hours.

Concerning dietary norms:

1. Limit the consumption of beverages and food that increase the amount of ingested air: fizzy drinks and chewing-gums increase the quantity of air in the stomach
2. Avoid food rich in fat: ripened cheese, cured meat (sausages), frying, chocolate
3. Avoid food and beverages that contain irritating substances: alcohol, spirits, tomatoes and tomato juice, citrus fruit, coffee and cocoa
4. Drink more water without food: it helps protect the esophagus lining from gastric acids