Living with GERD can be frustrating. Some days feel normal, while others bring heartburn or reflux without warning. It’s natural to wonder how long GERD takes to heal. In most cases, healing happens slowly as inflammation settles and reflux becomes better controlled over time.
How long does GERD take to heal?
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, happens when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus — the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. Over time, this repeated acid exposure can irritate the lining of the esophagus, leading to symptoms like heartburn, chest discomfort, or regurgitation. Because of this, healing isn’t just about calming a single episode of heartburn, but about giving irritated tissue time to recover.
For many people, GERD symptoms begin to improve within 8 to 12 weeks of making consistent dietary and lifestyle changes. In fact, research on GERD treatment often looks at this same timeframe, since symptom relief and tissue healing tend to become more noticeable over 8 weeks. This is also why guidelines often recommend an 8-week trial for typical symptoms, and up to 12 weeks for more persistent or extraesophageal symptoms.
How long does a GERD flare-up last?
GERD flare-ups or “attacks” are short periods when symptoms temporarily worsen. They’re often triggered by specific factors like consuming larger meals, lying down too soon after eating, or experiencing periods of increased stress, which is why flare-ups can still happen during the healing process.
So, how long does a GERD flare-up last? In most cases, GERD flare-ups last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. Symptoms often peak shortly after a trigger, and gradually ease as digestion continues and pressure on the stomach decreases — for example, once a heavy or irritating meal has moved through the stomach. The duration of a GERD flare-up can also vary based on individual health factors, such as body weight.
What can worsen GERD symptoms?
Understanding what can worsen symptoms is important, since these patterns may impact how long GERD takes to heal. Research suggests that GERD recovery is influenced by a combination of physical factors, daily habits, and symptom management over time.
Sleep position and nighttime reflux
If you think your sleeping position doesn’t matter, research suggests it does. Multiple studies show that lying flat makes it easier for stomach acid to move into the esophagus during sleep, which helps explain why reflux often feels worse at night. Over time, frequent nighttime reflux may repeatedly irritate the esophagus, influencing how long GERD takes to heal.
Elevating the upper body has been shown to reduce nighttime symptoms and improve esophageal acid exposure, with some studies reporting noticeable improvements within several weeks.
Body position also plays a role. Research consistently shows that sleeping on the left side reduces both the duration acid stays in the esophagus and the number of reflux episodes during the night. Right-side sleeping, in contrast, doesn’t offer the same protection.
Meal timing and meal size
Studies consistently show that large, heavy meals increase pressure inside the stomach, making it easier for acid to move upward into the esophagus. This pressure effect is one reason reflux symptoms often worsen after large meals, especially when they’re eaten infrequently.
Timing matters just as much as size. Research links late-night eating with increased nighttime reflux, since lying down before the stomach has emptied allows acid to travel upward more easily. Irregular eating patterns — such as skipping meals and then eating very large portions later — can also disrupt normal digestion and increase reflux risk.
There’s also evidence that more consistent meal timing is associated with fewer reflux symptoms. Eating at roughly regular times helps regulate stomach emptying and acid production, while long gaps followed by heavy meals tend to do the opposite. In contrast to the idea that fewer, heavier meals are “easier” on digestion, research suggests this pattern may actually increase reflux episodes, especially in people already prone to GERD.
Trigger foods
Studies show that people with GERD often consume certain everyday foods — such as coffee, chocolate, fried or fatty foods, citrus, and tomatoes — more frequently than those without symptoms.
These foods may trigger GERD-related symptoms such as slowed digestion, bloating or belching, or esophageal irritation, though responses vary from person to person.
While these foods are common in many meals, you don’t have to avoid them altogether. Considering personal tolerance when building a GERD diet plan may help reduce symptoms, as well as shorten how long flare-ups last.
Lifestyle-related factors
The condition has also been linked to several physical and lifestyle-related factors that may influence how long GERD takes to heal. Higher body weight is one of the most consistent findings, likely because added abdominal pressure pushes stomach contents upward.
Smoking and alcohol use are also associated with worse reflux, partly because they affect the muscle that keeps acid from flowing backward. Even everyday pressure from tight clothing around the waist has been shown to contribute to symptoms.
Consistency with treatment
If you’re wondering how long GERD takes to heal, consistency with treatment plays a major role. Medications can be very effective in managing GERD, but consistency is important. Even if you start feeling better, stopping or skipping doses is not recommended. This can slow healing and, in many cases, worsen symptoms or trigger flare-ups. Antacids provide relatively quick relief, usually within 20–60 minutes, by neutralizing stomach acid. Their effect lasts around 1–2 hours, making them useful for occasional or sudden symptoms.
H2 blockers such as famotidine, nizatidine, or cimetidine take about 45–60 minutes to start working and can last 4–10 hours. They help reduce acid production for mild to moderate or on-demand symptoms.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), on the other hand, target acid production more strongly but take a few days to reach their full effect. They are most effective when taken 30–60 minutes before a meal — usually in the morning — because proton pumps are activated by eating. For patients with nighttime symptoms, a second dose before dinner may be recommended.
Other influences researchers note
GERD recovery isn’t only about acid or food. Stress levels matter more than many people realize, with studies linking higher stress to more frequent and more intense symptoms. Poor sleep quality shows a similar pattern, especially at night, where disrupted sleep and reflux often reinforce each other and slow symptom control.
Certain health conditions can also make it harder to manage and may affect how long GERD takes to heal. Diabetes has been associated with slower stomach emptying, which increases the chance of reflux, while a hiatal hernia weakens the barrier between the stomach and esophagus. Pregnancy can have a similar effect due to added abdominal pressure and hormonal changes.
On top of that, some commonly used medications — particularly certain pain relievers (non-selective NSAIDs) and blood pressure drugs — have been linked to worsened reflux, making recovery less predictable even when other factors are addressed.
Everyday habits that can help manage GERD symptoms
When thinking about how long GERD takes to heal, it helps to remember that recovery is gradual. Everyday choices can support comfort, reduce symptom flare-ups, and make the recovery process feel more manageable.
- Eat regular meals at consistent times. Skipping meals or eating at unpredictable hours can disrupt digestion and increase reflux risk.
- Choose smaller portions more often. Large, heavy meals increase stomach pressure and make reflux more likely. Planning nutrient-dense meals can help you feel full without overeating.
- Avoid eating close to bedtime. Giving yourself at least 2-3 hours (and longer if you know you’re sensitive) before lying down helps reduce nighttime symptoms.
- Pay attention to trigger foods. Common culprits include fatty or fried foods, chocolate, coffee, citrus, tomatoes, peppermint, and carbonated drinks, but individual triggers vary.
- Take medications exactly as prescribed. If you’re using antacids, H2 blockers, or PPIs, timing and consistency matter for symptom control and healing.
- Sleep on your left side and elevate your upper body. Left-side sleeping and raising the head of your bed can significantly reduce nighttime reflux.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Tight waistbands increase abdominal pressure and can trigger reflux episodes.
- Manage stress and prioritize sleep. High stress and poor sleep are both linked to more frequent and persistent GERD symptoms. Following healthy eating patterns to support better sleep can improve digestion and overall wellness.
These steps won’t “cure” GERD overnight, but when practiced consistently, they can make symptoms more manageable and give your body the support it needs to recover.
Take control of your GERD with expert nutrition guidance
Healing from GERD isn’t always straightforward. How long GERD takes to heal can vary from person to person, and even with consistent habits and treatment, symptoms may still flare up. Stress, sleep, food choices, and other health conditions all play a role. These ups and downs don’t mean you’re doing anything wrong — they’re just part of the recovery process.
Working with a registered GERD dietitian can bring clarity to that process. At Health Loft, our dietitians help you identify personal triggers, understand how different foods affect your symptoms, and create realistic meal plans that support healing without unnecessary restriction.
Because GERD triggers vary widely from person to person, individualized guidance can make a meaningful difference. A Health Loft dietitian can help you fine-tune your approach in a way that fits your preferences, lifestyle, and long-term goals.
Find a Health Loft dietitian and get personalized support for managing GERD today.
This article was reviewed by Katie Whitson, RD, LD. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not replace personalized nutritional advice.
