How Long After Stopping Caffeine Will My Gerd Go Away?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when acid from your stomach leaks back into your esophagus and causes symptoms of heartburn. Why someone develops acid reflux is not always clear, but dietary and other lifestyle changes can help improve some of your some symptoms. Recurring heartburn or other persistent symptoms of GERD should prompt you to talk with your health-care provider.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

GERD indicates a persistent type of common heartburn or acid reflux, occurring more than twice a week over a prolonged period of time, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Food you swallow travels down the esophagus and into your stomach, where acidic fluid helps break down the food into digestible nutrients. The lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle surrounding the bottom end of the esophagus, normally closes tightly after food passes into the stomach and prevents food and stomach acid from leaking back, or refluxing, into your esophagus. This muscle fails to close strongly enough in people with GERD, allowing stomach acid to reach the esophagus and cause the burning sensation of heartburn, pain, dry cough and other symptoms of reflux.

Caffeine and GERD

Many foods, drinks and medications contain caffeine, with 80 percent of adults in the U.S. consuming caffeine every day, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Caffeine in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate can increase the amount of acid your stomach releases and relax your lower esophageal sphincter, contributing to the symptoms of GERD. Although caffeine doesn't cause GERD, limiting or stopping its use might help reduce your symptoms, especially if you have noticed that your symptoms are worse after consuming caffeine in any of its many forms.

Lifestyle Approaches to GERD

In addition to limiting the intake of caffeine, a variety of other simple steps can help decrease your symptoms of GERD. Eating smaller meals, not lying down for at least two hours after eating and raising the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches can all help decrease acid reflux. Avoid foods that seem to worsen your symptoms as well as tight clothes that constrict your abdomen. Smoking or being overweight can also worsen the symptoms of GERD. How quickly these steps might work for you, if they work at all, will depend on the severity of your GERD and other underlying health factors. If your symptoms don't rapidly improve, still occur frequently or you have been taking over-the-counter antacids for more than two weeks, contact your health-care provider.

When Lifestyle Changes Don't Work

Long-term untreated GERD can lead to serious complications, including esophageal ulcers or strictures, changes in the esophageal lining called Barrett's esophagus and cancer. If you've tried lifestyle changes such as limiting caffeine and still have symptoms, your health-care provider will probably recommend a trial of medication and possibly further diagnostic testing. According to the Cleveland Clinic, most people with esophageal reflux will get relief from lifestyle changes and medication, with only a few ultimately requiring corrective surgery to correct their GERD.