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Sentara Obici Hospital
Heartburn Treatment Center:
Treatment Options
What is the Treatment for GERD?
Doctors recommend lifestyle and dietary changes for most people with GERD. Treatment aims at decreasing the amount of reflux or reducing damage to the lining of the esophagus from reluxed materials.
Lifestyle Modification
Simple lifestyle changes such as avoiding spicy, fried or fatty foods and losing any excess weight can help reduce the symptoms of GERD.
Watch What You Eat
Some foods increase the acid in your stomach or relax the LES. You may want to avoid the following:
 Coffee, tea and carbonated drinks with and without caffeine
Fried and fatty foods
Spicy foods
Citrus fruits and tomatoes
Onions
Peppermint
Chocolate
Avoiding foods and beverages that can weaken the LES is recommended. These foods include chocolate, peppermint, fatty foods, coffee and alcohol. Foods and beverages that can irritate a damaged esophageal lining, such as citrus fruits and juices, tomato products and pepper, should be avoided.
To take the pressure off your LES, try eating six small meals a day instead of three large meals. Taking a short walk after eating will help aid your digestion. Try to avoid bending over or lying down for 2 to 4 hours after eating. In addition, being overweight often worsens symptoms.
Don't Drink Alcohol or Smoke
Alcohol and the nicotine found in tobacco can make GERD worse by greatly increasing stomach acid production and irritation. Alcohol also relaxes the LES.
Medications
GERD is sometimes treated with over the counter antacids which you can buy without a prescription. If antacids don't provide enough relief, your doctor may prescribe other medications to help with digestion.
Primary Care / Family Practice
Dr Nakorn Apakupakul
(757) 242-6185
(757) 242-4440 Fax
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Dr Lynne Stockman
(757) 686-5807
(757) 686-5841 Fax
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Dr William Jackson
(757) 934-3434
(757) 934-3981 Fax
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Dr Lindsey Vaughn
(757) 934-3434
(757) 934-3981 Fax
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Dr Mokhtar Morgan
(757) 934-3434
(757) 9381 Fax
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Dr James Waddy
(757) 686-5807
(757) 686-5841 Fax
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Dr Jennifer Pagador
(757) 923-9660
(757) 923-9664 Fax
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Dr David Waller
(757) 934-3434
(757) 934-3981 Fax
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Dr Thankam Pillai
(757) 484-3472
(757) 484-3408 Fax
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Dr David Weinstein
(757) 925-0706
(757) 539-4750 Fax
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Gastroenterologists:
Dr Thomas Duntemann
(757) 934-3700
(757) 673-5950 Fax
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Dr Moussa Menasha
(757) 934-9471
(757) 934-9409 Fax
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Dr Norman Goldin
(757) 934-3700
(757) 673-5950 Fax
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Dr Daniel Neumann
(757) 934-3700
(757) 673-5950 Fax
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Dr Venu Koduri
(757) 934-9471
(757) 934-9409 Fax
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Dr Ted Schafer
(757) 934-3700
(757) 673-5950 Fax
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Dr J Mark Lawson
(757) 934-3700
(757) 673-5950 Fax
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Ear, Nose & Throat
Dr Eugenia Gray
(757) 937-7753
(757) 539-1739 Fax
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Dr Kevin Meakin
(757) 934-9415
(757) 934-9421 Fax
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Dr John Lyle
(757) 934-7753
(757) 539-1739 Fax
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Dr Edilberto Pelausa
(757) 934-9415
(757) 934-9421 Fax
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Surgeons:
Dr Paul Hogg
(757) 539-7824
(757) 538-9474 Fax
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Dr David Zeiler
(757) 934-9372
(757) 934-9377 Fax
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Dr Matthew McBee
(757) 539-7824
(757) 538-9474 Fax
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For further information about heartburn treatment, we encourage you to call Karen Jennette RN, BSN, the Sentara Obici Heartburn Treatment Center coordinator at 757-934-2876.
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