Medslant Acid Reflux Newsletter

GERD May Not Mean A Bland Diet

Here's some news I think you will like. A recent article co-authored by Laura B. Gerson, M.D. reports on the effectiveness of lifestyle changes for GERD patients. Dr. Gerson is a gastroenterologist at Stanford University Medical Center Clinic and a former awardee of the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition.

Agreeing that lifestyle changes are first-line therapy for GERD patients, the article authors applied an evidence-based approach to determine the efficacy of lifestyle management for GERD. They searched literature published between 1975 and 2004 using such key words as heartburn, GERD, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, citrus, chocolate, obesity, spicy foods, head of bed elevation, and late evening meal. Each study was rated by two reviewers. The ratings were based on the following: randomized clinical trials, case control studies, reports or flawed clinical trials, investigator experience, and insufficient information. The reviewers screened 2039 studies to find 100 relevant ones. The results may surprise you. Although the reviewers found some evidence that tobacco, alcohol, chocolate, and high-fat meals decrease lower esophageal sphincter pressure, there was no published evidence of the effectiveness of dietary changes. Neither tobacco nor alcohol cessation was associated with improvement in symptoms.

But, case controlled studies proved that head of bed elevation and weight loss improved the overall time that the esophageal pH was lower.

The conclusion - elevation and weight loss are effective lifestyle interventions for GERD management.

Of course this doesn't give a green light to the foods and habits on the "NO" list; however, it does confirm the thinking that a GERD diagnosis does not mean a forever diet of bland. Check to see what triggers reflux in you, and, most important, check with your physician.

Spring pollen may have ended but pesky dust mites thrive all year. The most common allergen inhaled by people in their homes, dust mites can remain airborne for 10 minutes when disturbed by vacuuming. The Mayo Clinic estimates that the average bed harbors 100,000 to 10 million dust mites. The most effective defenses are to enclose your pillow in an allergen barrier mite proof encasement, wash it in hot water, and vacuum regularly. Sleeping on a MedSlant with the allergen barrier cover is a good start but be sure to also have a dust mite encasement on your personal bed pillow. You can also buy encasements for your mattress and box spring. Sunlight destroys mites so periodically putting your blankets outside will help. Also, dust mites prefer wool and cotton to synthetic fabrics.

Please keep the phone calls and emails coming to 1.800.346.1850 or customerservice@medslant.com. I love hearing from you.





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