What You Need to Know If Diagnosed With Reflux Esophagitis

If you've been diagnosed with reflux esophagitis, it's important to take proactive steps to manage your condition and reduce symptoms. Making lifestyle adjustments can significantly impact your overall health and help prevent further complications.

Making Lifestyle Modifications
One of the first steps in managing reflux esophagitis is making positive lifestyle changes. For individuals who are overweight or obese, losing weight gradually can help alleviate pressure on the stomach and reduce acid reflux. Additionally, wearing tight-fitting clothing or shapewear should be avoided, as these garments can increase abdominal pressure. If you suffer from constipation, maintaining regular bowel movements and seeking treatment for chronic constipation is crucial. It's also wise to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities that may worsen symptoms. To minimize nighttime reflux, try not eating at least two hours before bedtime and elevate the head of your bed by 15°-20°.

Be Cautious With Medications
Certain medications, such as nitroglycerin and calcium channel blockers like amlodipine besylate and nifedipine, can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and potentially worsen reflux symptoms. If you're being treated for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or reflux esophagitis, talk to your doctor about whether these medications are safe for you or if alternatives are available.

Dietary Adjustments to Reduce Symptoms
Your diet plays a major role in managing reflux esophagitis. Avoiding foods and beverages that trigger acid reflux is essential. This includes coffee, strong tea, high-fat meals, and sugary foods. These items can increase stomach acid production and delay gastric emptying, both of which can aggravate symptoms.

Medication Therapy Is Often Necessary
In most cases, treating reflux esophagitis involves taking acid-suppressing medications as a foundation of therapy. These may be combined with prokinetic agents that help improve gastric motility and reduce discomfort. It's vital to follow your healthcare provider's instructions carefully and complete the full course of treatment. Even if you start feeling better after a few days, stopping medication too soon can lead to a relapse. In more severe cases, long-term maintenance therapy may be required to keep symptoms under control.

Consider Surgical Options When Necessary
For patients who do not respond well to medication or lifestyle changes, anti-reflux surgery may be an option. Procedures such as fundoplication can help strengthen the barrier between the stomach and esophagus, reducing the frequency and severity of reflux episodes. Always consult with a specialist to determine if surgical intervention is appropriate for your condition.