CUT OUT CAFFEINE. Specifically, avoid coffee (highest caffeine content), tea, and caffeinated soft drinks. Soft drinks such as Coke and Pepsi are particularly bad, because they are very acidic (pH of 2.3), and the carbonation leads to belching and further reflux of acid into the throat. Other acidic juices (orange, grapefruit, cranberry) can worsen reflux.

1. AVOID CHOCOLATE AND MINTS.
2. AVOID ALCOHOL, especially in the late evening and before bedtime.
3. QUIT SMOKING.
4. ELIMINATE FRIED, FATTY, AND SPICY FOODS FROM YOUR DIET. A low-fat diet is the best way to avoid reflux. Onions and garlic are notorious for causing reflux.
5. LOSE WEIGHT if you’re overweight. Avoid tight-fitting clothing.
6. STOP EATING AT LEAST THREE HOURS BEFORE GOING TO BED. Eating a heavy meal just before going to sleep is especially bad for your reflux condition.
7. TAKE THE MEDICINES YOUR DOCTOR HAS PRESCRIBED FOR YOU. In most cases, your doctor will prescribe a “proton pump inhibitor” drug (PPI) such as Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, Prilosec or Aciphex. These drugs are typically prescribed for TWICE A DAY, which is double the usual dose for routine reflux disease. Please see below for more details on you medication.