The acronym of GERD is short for gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD is defined as a digestive disease that causes bile or acid in the stomach to irritate the lining of the food pipe. This chronic disease causes heartburn and acid reflux several times per week. If you experience a burning sensation in your chest after eating or when lying down, you might be suffering from GERD. Let’s take a quick look at a couple of tips that will help senior citizens enjoy life even when saddled by GERD.
You can Enjoy Life in Spite of GERD
GERD does not have to ruin your quality of life. Plenty of seniors living in and around Philadelphia and Allentown suffer from GERD yet still live life to the fullest. Living with GERD is that much easier if you have a home care provider at your service who prepares meals, ensuring you consume nutritious food that reduces the chances of acid reflux.
Ideally, your three meals throughout the day will contain food that does not cause heartburn. Reducing your consumption of food that leads to acid reflux is the most effective way to combat the symptoms that arise as a result of GERD.
Mind Those Medications
If you are like most Philadelphia seniors, you are tired of taking medications. However, a medication that treats GERD symptoms is worth the extra effort. Take your GERD medication as advised by your doctor and it will treat your symptoms, ultimately helping you sleep soundly and enjoy your waking hours.
Don’t Eat Late at Night
It will also help to give your food a chance to digest before turning in for the night. Stop eating at least 5-6 hours prior to your bedtime. However, if you are like most people, you enjoy a late-night snack. Give yourself at least a couple of hours between that snack and going to bed and you will reduce your acid levels to the point that the chances of acid reflux are quite small.
Non-medication Treatment Modalities
If you don’t want to incorporate another medication into your daily regimen, consider alternative GERD treatment modalities such as acupuncture and natural remedies. Acupuncture reduces GERD symptoms in certain patients. Though acupuncture is not guaranteed to work for you, it is worth a try.
Another potential all-natural solution is Manuka Honey. This remedy minimizes acid reflux and even has the potential to eliminate GERD altogether.
Consider Your Sleeping Position
The position in which you sleep affects the extent to which GERD disrupts your daily life. Try to elevate your upper body to prevent acid from moving up through the stomach to the throat. As long as the upper section of your body is elevated above the stomach, acid won’t move upward, ultimately helping you enjoy a restful night of sleep uninterrupted by GERD symptoms.
Caring Family Home Health is Here to Help
If you have a senior citizen in your life who needs assistance in his or her Allentown/Philadelphia home or if you are in need of such care yourself, contact us today. Our care providers are ready and willing to improve your quality of life. Reach out to us today at (844) 818-0039 or contact us on the web to find out more about how we can improve your quality of life or that of an aging loved one.
