How to Manage Acid Reflux

Acid reflux, or GERD, involves the flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. This condition affects people of all ages, and different factors can trigger acid reflux. The symptoms vary, but many sufferers deal with painful heartburn, nausea, stomach aches and vomiting. While annoying, there are many ways to manage and ultimately cure acid reflux.

Things You'll Need

• Prescription medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Make a doctor’s appointment. Before you can treat acid reflux, you’ll need to be diagnosed by a doctor. There are different ways to diagnose acid reflux. Doctors diagnose the condition based on patient’s physical symptoms and the results of a barium swallow, which is a medical test used to detect excess stomach acid and esophageal injury.

• 2

  Take prescription medications. There are ways to manage this disease naturally. However, severe cases of acid reflux call for prescription medications. Drugs help restrict stomach acid to the stomach, which allows the esophagus to heal. Healing is essential because prolong damage can lead to esophageal and throat cancer.

• 3

  Stay away from fatty foods. Fried and fatty foods can trigger acid reflux. Symptoms usually occur 10 to 20 minutes after a meal, and you may feel stabbing chest pains or stomach aches.

• 4

  Watch your diet. Other foods can bring on symptoms of acid reflux. Keep a food journal and closely monitor your symptoms. Foods and drinks that trigger the illness include milk, spicy meals, carbonated beverages, acidic foods and tomato sauces. Foods such as rice, pasta and bread can ease symptoms.

• 5

  Eat smaller meals. Eating fast or eating large meals can cause a backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. Sometimes, regurgitation occurs. Rather than eat three big meals a day, prepare five or six smaller meals.