What to Consider After Stopping Medication for Reflux Esophagitis

After discontinuing medication for reflux esophagitis, it is essential to focus on long-term lifestyle and dietary modifications to prevent recurrence. One of the most important steps is to avoid high-fat meals and beverages such as coffee, chocolate, and strong tea, which can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and promote acid reflux.

Avoiding Irritating Foods and Beverages
It's also crucial to steer clear of spicy foods and those that stimulate excessive gastric acid production, including chili peppers and high-sodium meals. In addition, smoking and alcohol consumption should be stopped completely, as both can irritate the esophagus and trigger flare-ups.

Adopting Healthy Eating Habits
For individuals who have undergone partial gastrectomy or suffer from hiatal hernia, eating smaller, more frequent meals is highly recommended. Overeating should be avoided, and lying down immediately after meals should be discouraged. To further reduce symptoms, try not to eat within two hours of bedtime.

Improving Sleep Position
If nighttime symptoms are a concern, elevating the head of the bed by 15–20 cm can help reduce nocturnal acid reflux and improve sleep quality.

Long-Term Management for Severe Cases
Patients with severe (Grade D) esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus should not stop treatment without medical advice. These conditions require ongoing therapy and regular endoscopic monitoring due to the increased risk of esophageal cancer.

Reducing Abdominal Pressure
Another key consideration is minimizing abdominal pressure. Avoid tight clothing after meals, address constipation promptly, and maintain a healthy weight. Obesity significantly increases the likelihood of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), so weight loss is strongly encouraged for overweight individuals experiencing reflux symptoms.