Spring break is finally here! If you’re traveling with GERD, you don’t want to be out for the count when all the fun begins. The last place you want to end up is stuck behind in pain when the rest of your family and/or friends are out making the memories that will last a lifetime. Make sure you’re ready this year! Take a look at a few things to keep in mind when you’re traveling this Spring Break.
Give Yourself a Break – Get up, get moving
Long periods of sitting no matter what you’re doing can aggravate your GERD symptoms. When traveling it is especially important to give yourself breaks to prevent this. If driving, make sure to stop often for bathroom breaks or to just walk around. If flying, make sure to stand up often. If the pilot turns of the fasten seatbelt sign, walk up and down the aisles every now and then. Anything that you can safely do to give yourself a break, and get up and get moving, do it![1]
Plan Ahead – Take your meds
When vacationing, it can be hard to avoid trigger foods. Sweets and big meals seem to be everywhere but do your best to plan ahead. Know when you’re expecting to have a big meal and go ahead and take your antacid or other medication beforehand to avoid a flare-up. Alcohol is also a common GERD trigger. You want to have fun, but not to expense of the rest of your trip so plan to drink moderately. And again, if you know you are having a night of big drinking go ahead and take your treatment to start combating your symptoms before they even start. [2]
Get plenty of sleep – Sleep at an incline
Getting enough sleep can be hard enough on vacation even without GERD. Late nights and early morning can wreak havoc on your body. In order to prevent flare-ups, make sure the sleep you are getting is good sleep! Hotel beds aren’t always the most comfortable, and the pillows can be pretty thin. Make sure to either bring your own pillow or stack pillows together to make you sleep at an incline. Long periods of sitting when traveling and big meals are pretty much unavoidable while on vacation so sleeping at an incline can help you sleep better even if your symptoms do start to act up. [3]
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[3] https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/tips-traveling-acid-reflux
[2] https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/features/travel-heartburn-7-tips-relief
[1] https://www.everydayhealth.com/gerd/managing/enjoy-heartburn-free-travel.aspx
