Discharge Instructions for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a backflow of acid from the stomach into the swallowing tube (esophagus).

Home care

These home care steps can help you manage GERD:

• Maintain a healthy weight. Get help to lose any extra pounds.

• Avoid lying down after meals.

• Avoid eating late at night.

• Elevate the head of your bed by 6 inches. You can do this by placing wooden blocks or bed risers under the head of your bed.

• Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes.

• Avoid foods that might irritate your stomach, such as the following:

  • Alcohol

  • Fat

  • Chocolate

  • Caffeine

  • Spearmint or peppermint

• Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medicines. These medicines can make GERD symptoms worse:

  • Calcium channel blockers

  • Theophylline

  • Anticholinergic medicines, such as oxybutynin and benzatropine

• Begin an exercise program. Ask your healthcare provider how to get started. You can benefit from simple activities, such as walking or gardening.

• Break the smoking habit. Enroll in a stop-smoking program to improve your chances of success.

• Limit alcohol intake to no more than 2 drinks a day.

• Take your medicines exactly as directed. Don’t skip doses.

• Avoid over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, unless recommended by your healthcare provider for certain conditions. 

• If possible, avoid nitrates (heart medicines, such as nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate ).

Follow-up care

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.