15 Tips from IFFGD to Keep Reflux at Bay during 15th Annual GERD Awareness Week

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), in honor of the 15^th Annual GERD Awareness Week, offers up 15 suggestions for curbing your gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms this holiday season.

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GERD Awareness Week takes place each year during the week of Thanksgiving (this year Nov. 24-30), a time when heartburn, the most common symptom of GERD, can easily arise and put a damper on festivities like family meals and football parties. IFFGD, a donor-supported nonprofit education and research organization, first designated GERD Awareness Week in 1999 to bring attention to the need for increased research and understanding of the condition.

"It's not uncommon for people to get heartburn now and then, but individuals with GERD more regularly experience heartburn," said Nancy Norton, president and founder of IFFGD. "It's important that those with GERD work with their doctors to develop a personalized treatment plan, but there are also general strategies that can help minimize symptoms." 

Here are 15 tips to help reduce GERD symptoms this holiday season:

1. Schedule an earlier meal. It's best not to eat late at night if you suffer from GERD.
2. Serve light appetizers. Fatty foods like chips, dips, and cheeses are slow to empty from the stomach and more likely to aggravate symptoms.  
3. Stay active. Stick with your exercise routine during the holidays, as weight loss can help alleviate GERD symptoms.
4. Don't smoke. Nicotine weakens the muscles within your food pipe that prevent back flow (reflux) of stomach contents.  
5. Nix the juice. Citrus fruits and juices, like grapefruit, orange and tomato, are acidic and can worsen GERD symptoms.
6. Season lightly. Spicy foods, as well as things like onions and garlic, often bother people with GERD and make heartburn worse.
7. Limit your drinks. Whether wine at dinner or beer during the game, alcohol can worsen reflux.
8. Pass on deep-frying your turkey. Fried foods are known to exacerbate GERD symptoms.
9. Use smaller plates. Eating large meals can trigger symptoms, so try smaller meals spread throughout the day.
10. Substitute water for soda. Caffeinated and carbonated beverages are both notorious heartburn aggravators.
11. Watch the desserts. Chocolate might be a favorite, but it often bothers people with GERD.
12. Skip the after-dinner mint. Peppermint is another heartburn irritant.
13. Slow down. Physical exertion after a meal can lead to reflux.
14. Stay awake! While the turkey might make you sleepy, fight the urge take a nap. Lying down within 3 hours after eating can cause GERD symptoms to flare up.
15. Talk to your doctor.  An accurate diagnosis is the first step to receiving the most effective treatment.

"Heartburn that happens more than once a week, worsens, or continues over time may signal a more serious condition like GERD," said J. Patrick Waring, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Digestive Healthcare of Georgia in Atlanta. "Talking about it with a doctor will help sort this out and determine how best to manage symptoms."

GERD is a chronic disease that can occur when stomach contents repeatedly flow backwards into the esophagus (food pipe). Though generally a treatable disease, serious complications can result if GERD is not treated properly. See your doctor if you have symptoms of GERD, like frequent or longstanding heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or a sour taste in the mouth among others. For more information about the condition, visit IFFGD's dedicated website, www.aboutgerd.org.

About IFFGD
The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) is a nonprofit education and research organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people impacted by chronic digestive conditions. Together with patients, families, clinicians, researchers, and other health professionals, IFFGD works tirelessly to promote awareness, scientific advancement, and improved patient care. The largest organization of its kind in the U.S., IFFGD and its grassroots counterpart, the Digestive Health Alliance (DHA), rely on donor support to fund research and provide educational resources for those affected by gastrointestinal disorders. Learn how you can help at iffgd.org or by contacting [email protected].

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Jill Godsey
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