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Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffLifestyle changes may help control the signs and symptoms of acid reflux caused by a hiatal hernia. Consider trying to:
- Eat several smaller meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals.
- Avoid foods that trigger heartburn, such as chocolate, onions, spicy foods, citrus fruits and tomato-based foods.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Limit the amount of fatty foods you eat.
- Sit up after you eat, rather than taking a nap or lying down.
- Eat at least three hours before bedtime.
- Lose weight if you're overweight or obese.
- Stop smoking.
- Elevate the head of your bed 6 inches (about 15 centimeters).
- Work to reduce the stress in your daily life.
References
- Brady M. Hiatal hernia. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/162991320-4/0/2088/0.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- Jeyarajah R, et al. Abdominal hernias and gastric volvulus. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/162991320-4/0/1389/0.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- Keifer D. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In: Rakel, D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/162991320-4/0/1494/0.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- Kahrilas PJ. Hiatus hernia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- The word on GERD. American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patient/gerd/word.asp. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Oct. 6, 2009.
