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GERD Pain Relief

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause painful heartburn and acid reflux. According to the Mayo Clinic, most GERD patients can manage heartburn pain with over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes, but some require stronger prescription medications or surgery to find relief. Talk with your doctor if your heartburn pain does not dissipate with over-the-counter medications and diet and lifestyle changes (see Reference 2).

  1. Lifestyle Changes

    • Eat a healthy, balanced diet and strive for 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week to help maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor about a weight-loss plan. Extra weight, especially around your abdomen, puts pressure on your stomach and can contribute to stomach acid backing up into your esophagus. Likewise, avoid tight-fitting pants and belts that put excess pressure on your stomach.

      The Mayo Clinic advises waiting at least two to three hours after eating before lying down to allow food time to digest properly. Consider elevating the head of your bed or purchasing a wedge to sleep on so that your head is 6 to 9 inches above the rest of your body. The added elevation helps keep acid in your stomach and prevents it from rising up.

      Avoid foods that trigger heartburn, such as fatty foods, garlic, onion, chocolate and caffeine. These may make GERD pain worse (see Reference 2).

    Over-the-Counter Medications

    • Over-the-counter antacids can neutralize stomach acid and help alleviate heartburn pain from GERD. Try Mylanta, Rolaids, Tums or Maalox. Use over-the-counter antacids as directed. Using them too often can cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as constipation and diarrhea. H-2 receptor blockers help reduce acid production.

      Antacids work quicker, but H-2 receptor blockers provide longer pain relief. Over-the-counter formulations of Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid and Axid are available at most drugstores and superstores. Try over-the-counter versions of Prilosec and Prevacid to help block acid production, providing heartburn pain relief. These medications, called proton pump inhibitors, also allow the esophagus time to heal (see references 1 and 2).

    Prescription Medications

    • If over-the-counter medications do not adequately control your heartburn pain, your doctor may prescribe a prescription-strength H-2 blocker or proton pump inhibitor. These medications work the same way as their over-the-counter formulations, but are more potent. Prokinetic agents are prescription medications that help tighten the valve between the stomach and esophagus and help the stomach empty quicker. Prokinetic agents cause unpleasant side effects, including depression, fatigue and anxiety, in many GERD patients, so your doctor will most likely try other medications first (see Reference 2).

    Surgery

    • If lifestyle modifications and medications do not control your GERD symptoms effectively, your doctor may suggest surgery to help relieve your heartburn discomfort and prevent further damage to your esophagus. One of the most common surgeries for GERD patients is the Nissen fundoplication, which tightens the lower esophageal sphincter by wrapping a portion of the top of the stomach around the lower esophagus.

      Another common surgical procedure to help relieve GERD symptoms and pain is an EndoCinch endoluminal gastroplication, in which the surgeon stitches up part of the stomach near the lower esophageal sphincter and ties them together to create a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus (see Reference 2).

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