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Support mucous-membrane healing by chewing 250 to 500 mg of deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) before meals and bedtime.
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol to ease irritation that could lead to cancer of the esophagus.
Experiment with your diet to find out what triggers the discomfort; high-fat foods, spicy foods, peppermint, spearmint, chocolate, and acidic beverages are all potential culprits.
Avoid eating prior to exercise and right before bedtime to reduce symptoms.
Aim for a healthy weight to reduce your risk of developing GERD.
Avoid excessive alcohol use that weakens the esophageal sphincter and increases the risk of GERD symptoms.
To reduce the impact of stress on GERD risk, find a program that includes group counseling, instruction in coping skills, relaxation training, and other helpful techniques for stress reduction.
Avoid exposing your infant child to secondhand smoke, as it has been linked with GERD.
See a health professional to find out if your infant child has allergies to milk or other proteins that can increase the risk of GERD.
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Last Review: 05-11-2011
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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
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