Treatment for Acid Reflux and GERD

While most people will experience acid reflux at least once in their life, some people suffer from the pain and discomfort of heartburn much more frequently. If you have acid reflux or heartburn at least twice per week, you may have GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available.

Lifestyle Changes
If you begin to experience heartburn more frequently, there may be changes you can make on your own to reduce your symptoms. Some of these changes include:

• Avoiding foods that trigger your heartburn symptoms (like citrus, spicy, or fried foods)
• Losing weight
• Quitting smoking
• Eating smaller meals
• Eating more slowly
• Avoiding clothes that are tight around your stomach, especially if you’re overweight
• Not going to bed or lying down for at least two hours after you’ve eaten
• Exercising at least three times per week

Medication
If you’ve made these changes and are still experiencing frequent heartburn and acid reflux, your doctor may prescribe medications. Proton pump inhibitors and histamine 2 blockers can help prevent heartburn by reducing the production of acid in the stomach. Over-the-counter antacids may also offer temporary relief, but you should contact your doctor if you’re turning to these medications frequently.

Your doctor may also recommend surgery to treat your GERD. Surgery may be prescribed in patients who are at risk for damage to the esophagus from continued exposure to stomach acids.