Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Lifestyle Modifications

Elevation of the head of the bed is recommended for patients with nighttime symptoms or regurgitation when recumbent, as suggested by the American Gastroenterological Association 1
Avoid lying down for 2-3 hours after meals to reduce esophageal acid exposure, as recommended by the American Gastroenterological Association 1
Weight loss should be recommended for all overweight or obese patients with GERD, according to the American Gastroenterological Association 1
Avoid trigger foods on an individualized basis, particularly alcohol, coffee, chocolate, and fatty foods, as suggested by the American College of Gastroenterology 3

For patients with both GERD and sleep apnea, addressing both conditions simultaneously is important as they can exacerbate each other, as noted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine 2
Despite common concerns about aspiration risk with supine positioning in GERD patients, multiple studies have not shown increased aspiration incidence with supine sleeping, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics 4, 5