Q What should I change about my meals to help taper off acid medication?
A The key is avoiding overeating, eating smaller portions slowly, and not lying down right after eating. Avoiding late-night meals within three hours of bedtime and sleeping with your upper body slightly elevated can greatly reduce reflux and heartburn while tapering the medication.
Detailed Answer
During the period of tapering a PPI, eating habits that reduce the burden on the stomach make a big difference. Eating a large amount at once increases stomach acid and pressure, making reflux easier, so eat smaller portions frequently and chew slowly for at least 20 minutes. Lying down right after a meal and late-night meals or overeating within three hours of bedtime greatly increase reflux, so these should be avoided. Elevating the upper body slightly while sleeping and avoiding tight clothing around the abdomen also help. Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol are also important for stomach recovery.
Our Korean Medicine Clinic's Perspective
In Korean medicine, digestion proceeds smoothly and acid does not rise when the stomach's qi flows properly downward. While you gradually taper the medication, Dongjedang works to calm the stomach's upward-rising qi and clear stagnation so that digestion flows smoothly downward. Layering good eating habits on top of this brings you closer to a comfortable stomach even without medication.
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