Diet for GERD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, which is more commonly known as "Acid Reflux Disease" or heartburn. With GERD the person who has recently consumed food will experience a backup of the liquid content of the stomach, where it "refluxes" stomach acids and pepsin. This can cause a general inflaming of the esophagus, causing possible esophagitis. Unfortunately for many people GERD or acid reflux is a chronic, life-long condition. Any injury that may have occurred to the esophagus lining can also be chronic, although it's treatable. Usually, after treatment stops, the GERD symptoms will recur several months later and need more treatment. It's been discovered that most normal individuals also experience symptoms of GERD, and that GERD occurs most often during the day time when individuals are in an upright position.

Some individuals may be able to effectively manage their acid reflux disease with lifestyle changes and antacids.  Other individuals may require more serious help for the condition, such as over-the-counter (OTC) medications known as proton pump inhibitors. These medications include Prilosec, Prevacid, Aciphex, Protonix, and Nexium.  Also, incorporating a healthy GERD diet may be your best strategy. It's been said that the best ways to prevent GERD symptoms from becoming too serious or severe is to monitor the foods you eat so that you can reduce or prevent acid reflux GERD from flaring up. A GERD diet will help make sure you aren't eating foods that can specifically inflame the stomach acids to cause these symptoms.

An individual who frequently suffers from the effects of acid-reflux or GERD may want to consider a diet makeover. Many foods we eat can inflame the heartburn symptoms of the GERD condition, so avoiding these foods is essential. These include diet items such as caffeinated drinks, alcohol, peppermints and chocolates. Avoiding these foods is key because they actually promote acid reflux due to reducing the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter.  Other foods are those that are high in fat content, spicy or acid-containing foods, like citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and tomato juice.  Try to reduce or eliminate these completely in order to best manage your GERD condition.

There have also been some interesting natural cures and remedies in terms of the GERD diet. These are foods you can try using to reduce or eliminate symptoms. Using a detoxification diet is one way to reduce the GERD and acid reflux symptoms. Crushed garlic eaten daily may also be helpful. And one particular remedy which many people swear by for acid reflux disease symptoms is apple cider vinegar. While it's not the most tasty thing to consume for everyone, you can mix it to a consistency with water so that it helps reduce your reflux symptoms. There are more acid reflux foods to eat and remedies described here.