What is GERD?

GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. It is a chronic condition where stomach acid and digestive enzymes flow back into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation. This can lead to a range of symptoms including heartburn, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and a chronic cough.

Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) acts as a barrier to prevent the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. However, in people with GERD, the LES may not function properly, allowing acid and other stomach contents to reflux back into the esophagus.

How can you treat GERD?

The treatment of GERD involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, medication, and in some cases, surgery. Here are some common treatment options for GERD:

1. Lifestyle modifications: Making changes in your lifestyle can help reduce GERD symptoms. These include losing weight if you're overweight or obese, eating smaller meals more frequently, avoiding certain trigger foods such as spicy, acidic or fatty foods, quitting smoking, and elevating the head of your bed to help reduce nighttime reflux.
2. Medications: Over-the-counter and prescription medications can help reduce the amount of acid in your stomach or improve the function of the LES. Antacids can help neutralize stomach acid, while H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Prokinetics can help improve the movement of the digestive tract and reduce reflux.
3. Surgery: If lifestyle modifications and medication are not effective in controlling GERD symptoms, surgery may be recommended. A surgical procedure known as fundoplication can be used to reinforce the LES and prevent reflux. In this procedure, the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophageal sphincter to strengthen it and prevent acid reflux.

It's important to work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan for GERD, as the appropriate treatment may vary depending on the severity of your symptoms and your individual medical history.

How can a dietitian help with GERD?

A registered dietitian can play a key role in helping to manage GERD by providing guidance and support to help you make dietary changes that may reduce symptoms. A dietitian can help you identify trigger foods that worsen your symptoms and develop a personalized meal plan to help manage your GERD.

Here are some ways that a dietitian can help with GERD:

1. Identifying trigger foods: Certain foods can trigger GERD symptoms, such as spicy, acidic, or fatty foods. A dietitian can help you identify these trigger foods and develop a plan to avoid them.
2. Developing a meal plan: A dietitian can help you create a meal plan that is balanced and provides adequate nutrition while minimizing GERD symptoms. This may include recommendations for foods that are low in fat and acid, high in fiber, and easy to digest.
3. Providing guidance on portion sizes: Eating large meals can increase the risk of GERD symptoms. A dietitian can provide guidance on appropriate portion sizes to help you manage symptoms.
4. Offering tips for eating out: Eating out can be challenging for people with GERD, but a dietitian can provide tips on how to make healthy choices when dining out.
5. Monitoring for nutrient deficiencies: Some dietary changes for GERD, such as avoiding certain foods, may impact nutrient intake. A dietitian can monitor for potential nutrient deficiencies and recommend appropriate supplements if needed.

In addition to these specific services, a dietitian can also offer support and motivation to help you make long-term changes to manage GERD symptoms.