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HOW TO LIVE WITH ACID REFLUX AND STILL HAVE A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE?
Reflux disease is not the end of a normal life
According to Dr. Mai Vien Phuong, Master Degree’s, Head of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit at the American International Hospital (AIH), when newly diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), many people often fall into a state of anxiety and panic.
"Quite a few patients share with me that after learning they have reflux, they search for information online and the more they read, the more anxious they become. Some think that from now on they will never be able to drink a cup of coffee, some are afraid of having to avoid all their favorite foods, and others worry they will have to take medication for the rest of their lives. Some people even live in a state of constant anxiety, fearing that their condition will progress into esophageal cancer."
Dr. Phuong noted that these concerns are entirely understandable. However, it is crucial for patients to access accurate information and receive proper treatment right from the beginning.
"The majority of people with GERD can still live healthily, work normally, and maintain a good quality of life if they receive an accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and build a healthy lifestyle. Not everyone with reflux has to completely restrict their diet or take medication for the rest of their life."
The doctor also emphasized that the goal of current treatment is not only to reduce symptoms of heartburn or sour regurgitation, but also to help patients regain confidence in their daily activities, eat reasonably, sleep better, and improve both their physical and mental health.
A proper understanding of the disease is the first step to successful treatment
One of the reasons why many people always live in anxiety is because they do not understand the disease correctly.
Not all cases of reflux progress to a severe stage.
Not everyone will develop severe esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus.
The majority of patients, if properly treated, monitored regularly, and following appropriate lifestyle modifications, can control the condition very well.
The majority of patients, if properly treated, monitored regularly, and following appropriate lifestyle modifications, can control the condition very well.
Understanding correctly will help you reduce anxiety, cooperate better with treatment, and avoid making wrong decisions due to following unverified information.
Do not let the disease control your life
According to Dr. Mai Vien Phuong, many people, after being diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), inadvertently let the anxiety of the condition affect their daily lives.
There are those who, out of fear of reflux:
Dare not travel.
Dare not attend parties.
Dare not eat with their family.
Always carry a large amount of medication.
Worry every time a mild burning sensation occurs.
Focusing too much on the symptoms can sometimes make you perceive the symptoms more intensely. The key is not to try to avoid every activity, but to learn how to live harmoniously with the condition and know how to manage it when symptoms arise.
Build a diet tailored to you
There is no one-size-fits-all menu for all reflux patients.
Some foods may worsen symptoms in one person while having no effect on another.
Therefore, instead of strictly avoiding everything on a list found online, you should:
Eat slowly and chew thoroughly.
Divide meals into smaller portions if you frequently experience bloating.
Do not overeat.
Avoid eating too close to bedtime.
Monitor which foods actually worsen your symptoms.
Keeping a food diary for a few weeks can help you recognize your personal triggers.
Maintain a reasonable weight
If you are overweight or obese, losing weight is one of the most effective measures.
When body weight decreases, the pressure on the abdominal cavity also decreases.
This helps limit the reflux of gastric juice up into the esophagus.
Even losing a moderate amount of weight can help improve symptoms significantly.
Sleep is also a form of "medicine"
Many patients notice that their symptoms worsen after sleepless nights.
Sleep not only helps the body recover but also contributes to regulating the sensation of pain and reducing the sensitivity of the nervous system.
To achieve a better sleep, you should:
Eat dinner early.
Avoid lying down immediately after eating.
Limit the use of phones before bedtime.
Maintain a consistent sleep schedule every day.
If you frequently experience acid reflux at night, your doctor may guide you on additional appropriate supportive measures.
Learn how to manage stress
Stress is not the sole cause of reflux, but it is a major factor that makes symptoms feel much more severe for many people.
A stressful workday.
An examination.
A major life event.
During times like these, many people notice that a burning sensation occurs more frequently.
While you cannot completely eliminate pressure from your life, you can learn how to adapt to it.
Going for a walk, exercising, reading a book, meditating, listening to music, or spending quality time with family are all effective ways to help relax the mind.
A stable mental state contributes significantly to reducing the uncomfortable sensations felt in the esophagus.
Do not change your medication on your own
A rather common mistake is:
Stopping the medication on your own once you feel better.
Increasing the dosage on your own if you experience a burning sensation worsens.
Switching medications immediately after hearing a recommendation from an acquaintance.
This can make treatment more complicated.
If your symptoms change, the best course of action is to consult your attending physician for appropriate adjustments.
Timely follow-up
Many people only seek medical attention when their symptoms are very severe.
Meanwhile, regular follow-up examinations help doctors:
Evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.
Adjust medications if necessary.
Detect early complications.
Consider whether further tests are needed.
Attending follow-up appointments on time makes the treatment process more proactive and limits prolonged relapses.
Don't let social media determine your treatment
Currently, there is a wealth of information about reflux disease on the internet.
Besides useful knowledge, there is also quite a bit of unverified information.
Some people advertise a certain food as being able to completely cure the disease.
Others advise stopping all prescribed medications from a doctor.
Still others introduce methods that lack scientific evidence.
Please view online information merely as a reference.
The decision on treatment should still be based on the consultation of a specialist after a thorough understanding of your condition.
Consider your doctor as a companion
Treatment of reflux disease is not just a relationship between the person prescribing and the person taking medication.
It is a collaboration between both parties.
The physician brings medical expertise, experience, and treatment methods.
The patient brings information about symptoms, lifestyle habits, and cooperation throughout the treatment process.
When both parties walk this path together, the effectiveness of the treatment will be significantly higher.
Treatment is not just about prescribing medication
Treating gastroesophageal reflux disease does not stop at merely prescribing medication, but also requires a comprehensive view of the lifestyle factors that can influence the progression of the disease.
Dr. Mai Vien Phuong shared that every patient who comes for an examination brings not only a medical condition, but also their own personal stories, responsibilities, and unique worries.
“Some are fathers who worry they no longer have the strength to care for their families. Some are mothers so busy that they frequently eat irregularly. Others have jobs that require entertaining clients, traveling extensively, or enduring prolonged stress. There are also those who have undergone treatment for years, but their symptoms recur repeatedly, gradually losing faith in the treatment process.”
Therefore, each consultation focuses not only on evaluating symptoms or paraclinical results, but also on listening to gain a deeper understanding of the patient's life.
At AIH, we do not just assess symptoms; we also learn about the patient's lifestyle, diet, sleep patterns, stress levels, and personal concerns. This enables our physicians to develop treatment regimens that are practical, realistic, and effective for the long term.
At the Gastroenterology Department of the American International Hospital (AIH), patients are examined by a team of highly experienced specialists, combining a high-resolution Olympus endoscopy system with advanced diagnostic tools to accurately determine the underlying causes of diseases. In addition to symptom control through medication, AIH places a strong emphasis on nutritional counseling, lifestyle modifications, and stress management, helping patients effectively manage their conditions and improve their quality of life.
Our goal is not only to help patients relieve heartburn or sour regurgitation, but also to help them eat better, sleep better, work more efficiently, and confidently enjoy life. That is the destination of a comprehensive treatment process.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic condition, but it is not a disease that strips away your quality of life.
When properly diagnosed, correctly treated, and managed in partnership with a physician, the vast majority of patients can successfully control their symptoms, lower their risk of complications, and maintain a normal life.
The most important thing is not finding the "strongest" medication, but rather understanding your condition correctly, sticking to the treatment plan, and building a suitable lifestyle.
Digestive health is not determined by a single pill, but is built upon countless correct choices made in everyday life.
References
Sawada A, Sifrim D, Fujiwara Y. Esophageal Reflux Hypersensitivity: A Comprehensive Review. Gut and Liver. 2023;17(6):831–842.
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