What lifestyle change should a nurse suggest to a patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to help manage symptoms?

Eating small, frequent meals is an effective lifestyle change for managing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. This approach helps reduce the volume of food in the stomach at any given time, which can prevent excessive pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). By minimizing this pressure, the likelihood of acid reflux is decreased, leading to fewer symptoms such as heartburn or regurgitation.

This strategy also aids in digestion, allowing the body to process smaller amounts of food more easily and efficiently. It can prevent the stomach from becoming overly full and contributing to reflux symptoms that often occur when larger meals stretch the stomach and push stomach contents back up into the esophagus.

In contrast, engaging in strenuous exercise after meals can exacerbate GERD symptoms by increasing abdominal pressure and promoting reflux. Drinking alcohol freely might trigger or worsen symptoms for many individuals with GERD, as alcohol can irritate the esophagus and relax the LES. Similarly, consuming large meals before bed can increase the risk of nocturnal reflux, as lying down after eating allows stomach acid to more easily flow back into the esophagus.

Thus, recommending small, frequent meals is a sound strategy designed to help alleviate the symptoms associated with GERD effectively.