For those who suffer from Gerd, or Gastrointestinal Esophageal Reflux Disease, symptoms can begin to interfere with daily life. Acid reflux and heartburn are among the symptoms, and although medicine and treatment can help, Gerd is often a long term, chronic condition for those who are unfortunate enough to have to deal with the problem. Thankfully, there are some ways for those who deal with GERD to minimize the unpleasant symptoms and feel better each day, including after meals. Here are some ways to deal with GERD in your everyday life:

Keep Meals Small: Large meals have a tendency to create gastric pressure, and an uncomfortable feeling for those with GERD. Instead of three big meals a day, stick to 5 or 6 small meals spaced evenly apart. This can take some getting used to, but one easy way to do it is simply split each of your meals in half. If you order a sandwich and fries at lunch, eat half of both and then wrap them up, eating the second half a few hours later. You can eliminate many painful symptoms by following this plan.

Avoid Foods Before Bed: Lying down after a heavy meal is one of the worst things you can do if you live with GERD. Try to eat your final meal at least 2 hours before bed to avoid pressure and discomfort when you lie down and you’re ready to sleep. It is also best to avoid drinking anything in the time period as well. If you are very thirsty, limit it to a few sips of water.

Relax: This tip might be the hardest to follow, but can be the most effective. Having too much stress can greatly contributes to the prevalence of heart burn, which is a major symptom of GERD. Try to give yourself some time to relax after stressful situations, whether that is with a few minutes of meditation, a walk on your own or even a bubble bath before heading to bed.

Avoid Trigger Foods: Each person’s digestive system can be sensitive to certain foods and drinks that agitate and inflame the esophagus and increase heartburn. The best thing to do is avoid the specific foods that bother you. If you aren’t sure about which ones are worst, keep a food diary and monitor when the symptoms appear. Common foods avoided by GERD sufferers include citrus, alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine or even high fat foods.

Take Blockers and Antacids: While it is a great idea to eliminate the foods that cause you trouble, you will probably still want to take some medicine to alleviate any pain or discomfort. Keep in mind that H2 blockers and antacids are different types of medicine. An antacid will work faster, but the blocker can keep the symptoms at bay for an entire day. You can use both in conjunction with one another, as long as you are following the advice of your doctor.

My following these tips you can alleviate the pain and discomfort experienced with GERD. If you have more questions, be sure to visit Reflux Remedy for further information.