I'm in my early 30s and have been suffering from GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) for two years. It started with a burning sensation in my chest, then later I developed a sore throat and even a chronic cough. I had an endoscopy at the hospital and took a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) for 8 weeks, but it kept recurring whenever I stopped the medication.
After analyzing the causes, I found three major factors for me:
- Eating late-night snacks after 11 PM
- Drinking water 30 minutes before bed
- Stress-induced hyperventilation
To break my late-night snacking habit, I decided to stay on an empty stomach after 7 PM. The first two weeks were the hardest; I'd swallow hard and endure it about 2-3 times a week. And rather than just raising my pillow, I started using a wedge pillow that lifts the entire upper body by about 15 degrees, and I can definitely feel the difference.
Now I live without medication and with no major symptoms. Occasionally, if I drink coffee, I get heartburn, and only then do I take medication. If anyone is suffering from the same symptoms, I really want to say: fixing lifestyle habits comes before taking medicine.