Can gerd be avoided or prevented?

Perhaps: Avoid being overweight, eating within 3 hours of sleeping, caffeine, nicotine, peppermint, chocolate, alcohol, large fatty meals, tomatoes and tomato sauce and spicy foods may help prevent gerd symptoms.

Prevent/Control GERD: Avoid foods & behavior that delay stomach emptying &/or relax the lower esophageal sphincter--spicy, greasy food, mints, alcohol, tobacco, chocolate, tomato-based products, caffeinated & fizzy drinks, eating before bedtime. Lose weight. Elevate head of bed on blocks. Use otc acid blockers for relief (h2's: tagamet, zantac, (ranitidine) pepcid; ppi's: prilosec, prevacid, zegerid). See a GI doctor if persistent.