Are There Any Natural Ways I Can Treat GERD?

September 9, 2009— -- Question: Are there any natural ways I can treat my GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)?

Answer: Natural treatments for GERD fall under two broad categories: natural remedies or medications and lifestyle changes, which can often be helpful as well. There today have been no controlled studies of natural remedies to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease although there are brief reports of substances such as licorice and aloe vera achieving relief of symptoms in a majority of patients. Further studies however are needed to document the effectiveness of these therapies.

However lifestyle modification, such as dietary practices of eliminating reflux causing foods such as caffeinated products, chocolate and fatty foods, as well as making the quick change in lifestyle of not eating three hours before sleeping, can often result in clear symptom relief. Furthermore, weight loss in patients who are obese and decreasing the amount of alcohol and tobacco use also can be natural remedies for gastroesophageal reflux disease.