Tips

Dry mouth at night?

Refluxers will often find their nasal passages tend to block while sleeping, causing mouth breathing which dries out the mouth and throat.

A simple nose clip sold as an anti-snore device can help by keeping the nostrils open so your mouth stays shut.

They are cheaply available on eBay.

 How to sleep at an angle

To reduce nocturnal reflux, raising the bedhead by 15-20cm (6-8 inches) helps but you may find yourself slipping down to the foot of the bed.

You may be able to raise your bedhead on blocks. Piles of old books may help but be careful they cannot slide and the bed's feet sit securely on them and won't slip. 

Piles of old paperbacks may be found in charity shops or they may have some for throwing out. They can be bound into blocks with gaffer tape.

1, Bed risers usually come in sets of 4. You only need 2.
You may know someone who'd like the other 2?

Divan beds and some others may not be suitable for adding blocks.

2, Some people use wedge pillows which raise the upper half of the body.
Whilst this works well for some, others find  it makes things worse.
This is because your body may "hinge" in the middle compressing your stomach.

3, A full length bed wedge may be the answer. It fits between the bed and the mattress.

Sliding downhill because your bedhead's raised?

1, An extra pillow under your knees may help.

2, A memory foam mattress topper has also been found to work for some.

Reducing Tooth Erosion

From a Dentist:

Acid reflux can damage teeth. It can also cause bad breath.

A natural instinct is to brush your teeth -Don't!

The tooth enamel is softened by reluxing acid, brushing will remove it.
Instead, rinse with mouthwash. Only brush your teeth when you know there's no acid.

Underwear for endoscopy?

Many women experience stress incontinence.

If you do have to cross your legs during a sneezing fit (just in case) then you might want to factor that in when getting ready for your scope. You may have a similar reaction.

Helping with Globus

I have found this throat exercise helps;

Head up, tongue against roof of mouth and try and force a yawn.

Helping release trapped gas

As described in Down With Acid,  those with acid reflux may find gas trapped in their stomach. A burp can help.

To control the burp and release bloat pressure, is to sip sparkling water or soda whilst keeping upright and possibly following with gentle pressing on the stomach to produce a controlled burp, while the body is in an upright position. 

Managing swallowing difficulty

Swallowing exercises.

Standing upright, head back, mouth shut, force a few dry swallows. 

Repeat several times a day.

Eating.

If you have stricture dysphagia, achalasia etc, try:

1. 1. Cut food very small.

   2. Take a small mouthful.

   3. Chew and chew.

   4. Try and force a swallow.

   5. Follow with a sip of water to help push it down.

   6. Wait for a burp as displaced air escapes to permit the next bolus.

   7. Repeat.