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Tums helps, but pepto bismol is best for shorterm acid reflux. (if used daily it will constipate you). For long term start taking something like Prilosec OTC. I believe it’s a two week regimen. If that does not help after two weeks, see a doc for prescription meds.
Eat and drink nothing 2-3 hours before bed…sleep on pillows, with your head and shoulders elevated…never lay down after meals (no quick naps after a big meal!)…there are several OTC medications that you can take daily to lessen or stop GERD. Good luck! kjl
If you get the symptoms mostly when you lie down at night, try raising the head of your bed about 2 to 3 inches. This gradual incline helps many people although it’s so slight that most people still feel that they are lying flat. Make sure the the upper legs are on something firm, however, such as cups made for the purpose or a wide board such as 2×6. If this doesn’t work, ask your physician about possible medicines that might help.
if you are experiencing acid reflux daily or almost daily, you should see your doctor about getting some prevacid. Prevacid reduces the amount of acids in the stomach and helps prevent this. When we lie down is when acid reflux (GERD) seems to be at it’s worse. I have had this problem for at least twenty years and it can get really bad during the day and it can and does wake you from a sound sleep at night….sometimes I used to think I was having a heart attack!
Acid reflux is not a casual thing by any means. It does not seem to be affected by WHAT you eat so much as it does by the mere fact that you DO eat…Lesser amounts is sometimes helpful but not always..I eat jalapeños a lot and am not bothered but I eat something with cinnamon and I am in pain for hours!
Over the counter is good when it happens only once in a great while but a prescription acid reducer is needed for something more chronic.
Hi Debbie. It’s not just acidic and spicy foods. It’s also very hot and very cold foods that can cause problems. It’s probably best for you to avoid them as far as possible. That includes ice cream, I’m afraid, though if you really must eat it then keep it to hot days and wait until it’s nearly melted.
If you want to avoid pills and other medications then you may like to consider some acupressure exercises. These are very simple to do and can bring relief to all manner of pain without having to take pills or spend money at the drug store.
I know this sounds totally bizarre, but do try it. You’ve nothing to lose.
Locate the point towards the outside of each shin bone, about four finger widths below the kneecap. You’ll know the spot when you press it. Press it with the tip of your middle or index finger for 60 seconds at a time, relaxing and breathing deeply. Many people use the heel of the opposite foot to rub this point firmly. Just do it the way you feel the most comfortable with.
This exercise helps relieve stomach aches and fatigue, among other things, and aids digestion.
April 30th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Agnes Chenault
Tums helps, but pepto bismol is best for shorterm acid reflux. (if used daily it will constipate you). For long term start taking something like Prilosec OTC. I believe it’s a two week regimen. If that does not help after two weeks, see a doc for prescription meds.
May 1st, 2009 at 7:18 am
Sean Rael
Eat and drink nothing 2-3 hours before bed…sleep on pillows, with your head and shoulders elevated…never lay down after meals (no quick naps after a big meal!)…there are several OTC medications that you can take daily to lessen or stop GERD. Good luck! kjl
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Agnes Carlson
If you get the symptoms mostly when you lie down at night, try raising the head of your bed about 2 to 3 inches. This gradual incline helps many people although it’s so slight that most people still feel that they are lying flat. Make sure the the upper legs are on something firm, however, such as cups made for the purpose or a wide board such as 2×6. If this doesn’t work, ask your physician about possible medicines that might help.
May 8th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Robert Diez
There are many medications that will help. Pepcid is one or you can get a prescription. Don’t ignore it because it will damage your esophagus.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Nicholas Liddell
if you are experiencing acid reflux daily or almost daily, you should see your doctor about getting some prevacid. Prevacid reduces the amount of acids in the stomach and helps prevent this. When we lie down is when acid reflux (GERD) seems to be at it’s worse. I have had this problem for at least twenty years and it can get really bad during the day and it can and does wake you from a sound sleep at night….sometimes I used to think I was having a heart attack!
Acid reflux is not a casual thing by any means. It does not seem to be affected by WHAT you eat so much as it does by the mere fact that you DO eat…Lesser amounts is sometimes helpful but not always..I eat jalapeños a lot and am not bothered but I eat something with cinnamon and I am in pain for hours!
Over the counter is good when it happens only once in a great while but a prescription acid reducer is needed for something more chronic.
May 14th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Victor Mulder
Hi Debbie. It’s not just acidic and spicy foods. It’s also very hot and very cold foods that can cause problems. It’s probably best for you to avoid them as far as possible. That includes ice cream, I’m afraid, though if you really must eat it then keep it to hot days and wait until it’s nearly melted.
If you want to avoid pills and other medications then you may like to consider some acupressure exercises. These are very simple to do and can bring relief to all manner of pain without having to take pills or spend money at the drug store.
I know this sounds totally bizarre, but do try it. You’ve nothing to lose.
Locate the point towards the outside of each shin bone, about four finger widths below the kneecap. You’ll know the spot when you press it. Press it with the tip of your middle or index finger for 60 seconds at a time, relaxing and breathing deeply. Many people use the heel of the opposite foot to rub this point firmly. Just do it the way you feel the most comfortable with.
This exercise helps relieve stomach aches and fatigue, among other things, and aids digestion.
I hope it helps.
Philip Gegan