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- • Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
- • For Barrett's esophagus, it is important to try to heal the esophagitis and prevent the reflux of stomach acids.
- Reflux may be managed by using H-2 blockers to relieve symptoms, by changing the pressure in the lower
- esophagus with metoclopramide and by not eating for several hours before sleep. Omeprazole, a new drug that
- has antisecretory properties that suppress gastric acid, may not only help heal esophagitis but also may heal or
- normalize a Barrett's esophagus. Dietary restrictions—avoiding fats, chocolate and peppermint—opiates,
- calcium-channel blockers and anticholinergic drugs may also help control reflux.