Effective Heartburn Treatment for Parkinson's Patients

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder that causes loss of motor function and problems with balance, movement, swallowing, walking and other daily activities. Unfortunately, Parkinson's medication and dysphagia, or difficulty in swallowing, can cause problems with heartburn. But there are ways to reduce that hurtburn.

Timing

• Change the frequency and amount of food in your meals, as overfilling the stomach can lead to reflux and heartburn. Avoid eating before bedtime to avoid problems at night.

Nutrition

• Along with changes in the timing of your meals, look at the foods that contribute to your heartburn. Avoid or limit foods that are acidic, such as orange juice, tomatoes and tomato sauce, coffee and chocolate, as well as spicy foods and soft drinks. Other foods that may cause heartburn include fried foods, alcohol and dairy.
  WebMD advises proper nutrition from a variety of food groups to keep energy levels and digestion as optimal as possible.

Nighttime Changes

• At night, try to sleep at an angle that keeps your food from flowing up the esophagus. Sleeping on your side may also help. Parkinson's patients often suffer from sleep disorders because of medications and changes in dopamine levels and motor function, according to the Journal of Neurology.

Medication

• Over-the-counter and prescription medications can help reduce heartburn and acid reflux. Famotidine and ranitidine medications such as Pepcid and Zantac can help alleviate mild to severe heartburn. Based on rxlist.com's contraindication list, drugs such as Pepcid and Zantac do not interfere with the Parkinson's drug Sinemet. It's best, though, to speak with your doctor. If you have heartburn for longer than two weeks, talk with your doctor about switching your Parkinson's medication or the time you take it.

Tips

• Parkinson's Disease can cause changes in swallowing, which can result in aspiration and pneumonia when food or drink enter the airway. If you have problems with food sticking in your throat, choking or regurgitation, seeing a speech pathologist could help, according to the Parkinson's Society of New Zealand. The pathologist can introduce new methods and techniques for eating. Keeping the muscles working, as well as swallowing efficiently and following a good diet plan are import aspects of treating Parkinson's.