Lifestyle modifications in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23780553Keywords:
gastroesophageal reflux, Healthy lifestyle, risk factors, quality of lifeAbstract
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) impairs quality of life and requires management that addresses clinical and behavioral factors. This review aimed to discuss the contribution of lifestyle modifications to GERD management, distinguishing symptom outcomes from esophageal mucosal changes. This is a literature review with narrative synthesis, based on a bibliographic search originally recorded on August 19, 2023, in MEDLINE via PubMed and LILACS, covering publications from 2018 to 2023. The original report describes 274 records and 15 selected publications, but the available documentation does not allow full reproduction of the selection process. The discussion was supplemented by a definition consensus and a clinical guideline, without a new systematic search. The synthesis highlights weight management in individuals with excess weight, meal timing, positional measures for nocturnal symptoms, and smoking cessation. Dietary restrictions should address individual triggers. Heterogeneity of the evidence prevents equating symptom relief with endoscopic healing or histological regression. Individualized behavioral changes are part of GERD treatment but do not replace pharmacological therapy or specialist assessment when indicated.
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