Does anyone have any advise for G.O.R.D.?

Question

I have just been diagnosed with Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and the stuff I've been reading is freaking me out. It suggests that the damage to my oesophagus is permanent and now I'm scared to eat anything. Any diet advice please?

I should add that I don't smoke,not overweight and don't have heartburn pain. I have damage to upper oesophagus showing on endoscopy which I am told was caused by acid reflux.It hurts to swallow but no other discomfortI am very confused

Answer 1

Besides being a pharmacist, I've had GERD for years (oesophagus is spelled esophagus in the US, hence GERD versus GORD). As mentioned, the foods in your diet may provoke symptoms, but not all foods affect each person the same.

Several changes in eating habits can be beneficial in treating GERD. Reflux is worse following meals. This is probably because the stomach is distended with food at that time and acid and transient relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter are more frequent. Therefore, smaller and earlier evening meals may reduce the amount of reflux for two reasons. First, the smaller meal results in lesser distention of the stomach. Second, by bedtime, a smaller and earlier meal is more likely to have emptied from the stomach than is a larger one. As a result, reflux is less likely to occur when patients with GERD lie down.

Certain foods are known to reduce the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter and thereby promote reflux. These foods should be avoided and include chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks. Fatty foods (which should be decreased) and smoking (which should be stopped) also reduce the pressure in the sphincter and promote reflux. In addition, patients with GERD may find that other foods aggravate their symptoms. Examples are spicy or acid-containing foods, like citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and tomato juice. These foods should also be avoided.

Any medications prescribed should be taken AS PRESCRIBED. Many people mistakenly use the meds only if symptomatic, but when taken properly can prevent reflux altogether.

There's just too much info available to be posted here. Do an Internet search using the term "GERD." Most of the info available is under the US spelling.

Hope this helps.

Rick the Pharmacist

Answer 2

Gord is made worse by being overweight, so try and be close to ideal. Frequent small meals helps, not eating last thing at night and elevating the foot end of the bed. Otherwise get your GP to check if you have the ulcer bug (Helicobacter pylorii) this can be done either by a blood test which is 85% accurate or a 'Breath test' more fiddly but nearly 100% accurate, both can be done in general practice. If you are positive eradication therapy may reduce, but not abolish your symptoms.

Beyond that acid lowering drugs can be taken either intermittantly for syptoms or if needed long term, both with little or no risk.

Answer 3

I have same

I try and eat "plain" - no spaghetti sauce, no oranges etc: citrus fruit and tomatoes etc. give me pain

However, after saying that, once in a while I just "have" to have some spaghetti.... just don't eat as much and have it with bread and a glass of milk

Juice - well, I put half juice and half water - even apple juice

I could go on and on but there is a lot of information on the Internet....

Try not to worry too much - millions of people have this... if you watch what you eat, check out on www suggestions, and get regular medical checkups you should be ok

Stress can make it worse..... really - so maybe some relaxation tapes or ????

Take care

"Gramma"

Answer 4

I was diagnosed about 3 years ago. Don't panic - it's not as bad as it seems!

Certain foods trigger attacks for me - rice, tuna and bananas for example (it may be different for you). But, I find the best way to stop an attack is to drink at least half a pint of water (or squash) before I eat. This seems to lessen the reflux, and allows me to eat pretty much everything. If I start to eat with a dry throat, an attack is almost inevitable.

I have been prescribed omeprazole tablets which also can prevent attacks.

(...and remember something your Mum said - eat slowly and chew properly; it really does help!)

Answer 5

try to find the cause because if not there can be serious problemsi know because i am struggling with the complications barretts disease and respiratory problems .Gaviscon taken at night will help when you lie down also raise the head of the bed and wear loose fitting clothing i also eat standing up and keep walking until the pain eases

Answer 6

i suffered with this for yrs b4 i went to a doctor and i was only 22yrs old..my advice would be to make a list of fods that you yourself feel makes it worse...then avoid these..one thing that helped me the most was exercising regularly..i felt this kept the reflux at bay...everyone is different...my symptos are completely gone now and i definately think the food diary i kept and the exercise were the reason it is gone.