GERD quiz: How much do you know about acid reflux treatment?

GERD is a complex disease that requires attention to diet and lifestyle and sometimes requires medication and/or surgery. Do you know your GERD facts?

By Dr. Todd Eisner

It's best to wait ________ hour(s) after eating dinner before going to bed.

one
two
three or more

Question 1 of 8

(0 out of 1) Incorrect! Sorry, the correct answer is three or more hours. Lifestyle modifications are a major factor in the treatment of GERD. It is recommended that one not lie flat or even recline on a couch for at least 3 hours. The reason is that within 3 hours of meals, there is still a significant amount of gastric acid in the stomach that may be able to reflux into the distal esophagus if one is lying flat. Some patients may have problems throughout the night, so that sleeping on multiple pillows or using cinder blocks under the head of the bed may help tremendously. Continue Quiz >

(1 out of 1) Correct! Correct! Lifestyle modifications are a major factor in the treatment of GERD. It is recommended that one not lie flat or even recline on a couch for at least 3 hours. The reason is that within 3 hours of meals, there is still a significant amount of gastric acid in the stomach that may be able to reflux into the distal esophagus if one is lying flat. Some patients may have problems throughout the night, so that sleeping on multiple pillows or using cinder blocks under the head of the bed may help tremendously. Continue Quiz >