Tips to Control Acid Reflux
To control acid reflux, you’ll need to make some basic diet and lifestyle changes. The simple steps outlined below may be all you’ll need to relieve discomfort.
Watch What You Eat
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Avoid fatty foods and spicy foods.
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Eat fewer acidic foods, such as citrus and tomato-based foods. These can increase symptoms.
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Limit drinking alcohol, caffeine, and fizzy beverages. All increase acid reflux.
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Try limiting chocolate. It can worsen acid reflux in some people.
Watch When You Eat
Raise Your Head 
Raising your head and upper body by 4" to 6" helps limit reflux when you’re lying down. Place a foam wedge under the head of your mattress. Or, put blocks under the head of the bed frame to raise it.
Other Changes
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Lose weight, if you need to.
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Don’t work out near bedtime.
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Avoid tight-fitting clothes.
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Limit aspirin and ibuprofen.
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Stop smoking.
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Publication Source:
Cappell MS, Medical Clinics of North America 89(2), Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease, Mar, 2005, pp 243-291
Publication Source:
Marshall, BJ, Conn's Current Therapy, 59th ed., Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, 2007, pp 619-621
Publication Source:
Richter, JE, Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 8th ed., Chapter 42 – Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Its Complications, 2006, pp 905-929
Online Medical Reviewer:
Chang, Alice MD
Date Last Reviewed:
1/15/2007
Date Last Modified:
1/1/2006