<Things you should know> Correct knowledge about "Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease" (2) Explanation of prevention and treatment methods for "Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease" Methods to prevent reflux esophagitis How to treat reflux esophagitis Recommended meals (and cooking methods) for people with reflux esophagitis Q&A about reflux esophagitis Reflux esophagitis (GERD) is characterized by symptoms such as heartburn and acid reflux. How can it be prevented? A gastroenterologist explains how to manage GERD if you develop it, and answers frequently asked questions. Prevention methods for reflux esophagitis Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. Therefore, it is believed that avoiding foods that stimulate the secretion of large amounts of stomach acid and paying attention to lifestyle and eating habits are effective ways to prevent it. Lifestyle habits/foods and drinks to be aware of overeating Eating quickly Eating right before bed Irregular meal times Diet high in animal fats alcohol smoking chocolate Carbonated drinks citrus Spices These factors lead to increased stomach acid secretion, and also cause the normally closed sphincter muscle at the junction of the stomach and esophagus to loosen, making acid reflux more likely. Furthermore, smoking carries many health risks, and since smoking weakens the function of the sphincter muscle at the junction of the stomach and esophagus, which is also a cause of reflux esophagitis, quitting smoking is an effective way to prevent it. In addition, you should be careful about lifestyle habits that put pressure on your stomach (increase abdominal pressure). Lifestyle habits that put pressure on the abdomen Strong constriction of the abdomen by belts, underwear, etc. obesity Leaning forward Carrying heavy objects Elevating your upper body slightly while sleeping can help reduce reflux. How to treat reflux esophagitis If you develop reflux esophagitis, the way to deal with it is the same as prevention: avoid eating habits that increase stomach acid secretion and lifestyle habits that make reflux more likely. Doing so may even make the symptoms disappear.If your symptoms do not improve even after making changes to your diet and lifestyle, you should consult a doctor. Tests for reflux esophagitis If you experience symptoms such as heartburn or acid reflux, you should visit a gastroenterologist and undergo tests to be diagnosed with reflux esophagitis. The tests are performed using an endoscope (upper gastrointestinal endoscopy) to check for esophagitis. While an endoscopy is not mandatory, it is recommended to have one to rule out other illnesses. Treatment of reflux esophagitis Medications prescribed for reflux esophagitis include drugs that suppress gastric acid secretion, drugs that improve gastrointestinal motility, and herbal medicines (such as Rikukunshito).If your symptoms and esophagitis improve with medication, your doctor will decide on an individual basis whether or not to continue taking the medication. In addition to taking medication, it is also necessary to make lifestyle changes as mentioned in the preventive measures section. If medication is ineffective, if drug therapy is prolonged, or if there is a hiatal hernia (a condition where the junction between the stomach and esophagus is elevated higher than normal), surgery may be considered. The surgery aims to prevent reflux from the stomach to the esophagus and allow food to pass from the esophagus to the stomach. Nowadays, it is often performed laparoscopically rather than through open surgery. Recommended meals (and cooking methods) for people with reflux esophagitis What kind of foods are good to eat when you have reflux esophagitis? Of course, you should avoid the foods listed as a cause for concern in the prevention section, but here we'll introduce some recommended foods and cooking methods.The basic principle is to choose foods that are easy to digest and gentle on the stomach. Staple foods: Rice porridge, udon noodles, white bread Meat/Fish: Lean, mild cuts of meat such as chicken breast or white fish. Milk, yogurt Tofu For cooking methods, oil-free methods such as boiling, steaming, or simmering are recommended. Q&A about reflux esophagitis This section answers frequently asked questions about reflux esophagitis. If you experience any symptoms or have any concerns, please consult a doctor. Which department should I go to? If you have a regular doctor, it's best to consult them first. If you don't have a regular doctor, please see a gastroenterologist or internal medicine specialist. I'm pregnant; how can I avoid acid reflux? Try to maintain a posture that doesn't put pressure on your stomach. When eating, avoid eating large amounts at once, as this increases abdominal pressure. Instead, eat small amounts several times a day. Does reflux esophagitis recur? Since drug therapy does not fundamentally cure acid reflux, it is not uncommon for the condition to recur once medication is stopped. Are there any other complications? It is said that reflux esophagitis can trigger coughing fits, asthma, and sleep disorders. Furthermore, reflux esophagitis can also be caused by other illnesses. For example, in elderly women, osteoporosis can cause the back to hunch, compressing the abdomen and leading to reflux esophagitis. Supervised by: Dr. Osamu Toyoshima, Director of Toyoshima Endoscopy ClinicGraduated from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo. Professor of Regional Medicine, Tokyo Medical University. Certified specialist and instructor of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society, international member of the European Society for Gastroenterological Endoscopy (ESGE), international member of the American Society for Gastroenterological Endoscopy (ASGE), and editorial board member of the World Journal of Gastroenterology. Toyoshima Endoscopy Clinic performs 10,000 endoscopic examinations annually and conducts medical research, including academic presentations, to improve clinical practice and medical technology. They also focus on H. pylori eradication and treatment, with over 5,000 cases. Author of "The Cutting Edge of Early Detection, Prevention & Endoscopy for Esophageal/Gastric/Colon Cancer". We take care to post accurate information,Please point out any incorrect information. Please submit any comments regarding medical information here. Return to the list of guides categorized by health symptoms.