How to Reduce Your Symptoms of GERD Before a Date Night

As if dating wasn’t already hard enough, the pandemic has made it more difficult for us to meet with people we know and nearly impossible to get to know people we don’t. Between masks and social distancing, it’s more difficult than ever to enter a new relationship. Add heartburn on top of that, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster! Jokes aside, GERD sufferers will know that dates can be a source of triggers and difficulty, especially when you don’t want to offend your date by declining something delicious. 

Let’s take a look at some common questions about GERD that may affect what decisions you make during your next date: how can I relax my GERD at night, what relieves GERD right away, and what makes GERD worse at night?

Date Night? No Problem

How Can I Relax My GERD at Night?

The best thing you can do to put yourself in a good position for the rest of the day is to avoid any and all triggers you can think of. For example, don’t get chicken parmesan for dinner, knowing that it’s fried and is covered in marinara sauce. You’ll want to take an avoidance strategy first, and then use the damage control tips and tricks (located below) later if you were unable to avoid all of your triggers.

What Relieves GERD Right Away?

The quickest, easiest way to relieve your heartburn symptoms is usually an oral antacid. They simply work the fastest and are easy to administer. Now, taking antacids constantly isn’t healthy, so make sure that you use them as an emergency treatment. For more information about why you shouldn’t take antacids constantly, check out this previous blog post: The Problems With Heartburn Medication: PPIs, Antacids, & H2 Blockers.

What Makes GERD Worse at Night?

As you probably already know, heartburn is aggravated and exacerbated by but is not caused by nighttime conditions. If you avoid your triggers during the day, you’ll probably be just fine at night. However, some people still struggle with regurgitation at night, regardless of what they eat during the day. Regurgitation can still be uncomfortable, and there are some things you can do to minimize your symptoms after a date night below.

Are There Any Drinks I Can Have?

We get it, date night can be a little unnerving, and one of the best things for nerves is alcohol. However, if you suffer from GERD, you may be keenly aware of just how many problems these drinks can cause. Luckily, there are a few alcoholic beverages that won’t upset your stomach too much, and they can help loosen you up for some delightful conversation and soothe you enough to open up:

Reducing Heart Burn After Date Night

When you get home, regardless of how your date went, you’ll want to relax and sleep well without breathing fire in the middle of the night. If all went according to plan, you will have avoided all of the heartburn triggers you possibly could. If you were unable to, however, you might be in for a night of torture. Follow these tips to help minimize your symptoms if you were unable to avoid the common heartburn triggers:

  • Sleep on your left side

  • Sleep with your upper half slightly elevated

  • If your symptoms are very bad, sleeping in a recliner may be better

  • Take some antacids before you lie down and again if you wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom

Tired of It? Ditch the Heartburn for Good

Dealing with GERD can be a frustrating struggle. You may not know that GERD is curable. This is due to the reason GERD causes heartburn - a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center, we specialize in treating patients with GERD. We offer several reflux surgeries that can have you saying goodbye to the TUMS, forever! Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation.

 
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