[Scientific foundations for medical treatment based on modifying diet, lifestyle habits, and patient attitudes in chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease].
In most patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease, treatment is medical. Among the main elements involved in treatment are general dietary measures, lifestyle habits, and patients' attitudes to symptom control. The present article summarizes the scientific foundations that support these measures: head elevation during nighttime sleep, smoking cessation, losing weight, avoiding rigorous exercise, and reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption. Dietary therapy is mainly based on avoiding fatty foods, chocolate, coffee, mint, and irritating fizzy drinks. Although each patient's response to these measures is highly individual, the mechanisms through which symptoms are reproduced is gradually becoming clearer: a large percentage of patients with uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux disease will gain considerable relief simply by eliminating some of these habits.
Csendes
Attila
A
Departamento de Cirugía, Hospital Clínico, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile. acsendes@redclinicauchile.cl
Burdiles
Patricio
P
D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004032:Diet; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D015431:Weight Loss