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Acid Reflux Disease Treatment

Acid reflux is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. All acid reflux treatments attempt to do one thing---reduce stomach acid that causes heartburn, regurgitation and gastrointestinal discomfort.

  1. Features

    • Two common side effects of acid reflux are burping and vomiting, both of which temporarily relieve symptoms, but do not cure the problem.

    Home Remedies

    • Home remedies include drinking plenty of water to dilute acid, eating crushed garlic mixed with non-citric juice, elevating the upper body while sleeping and eating small meals with plenty of bread or pasta.

    Medications

    • Acid-reflux medicines come in two categories---proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium and Prilosec and H2 blockers such as Zantac and Tagament.

    Surgery

    • A number of invasive and noninvasive surgical procedures are available. The most common is the fundoplication, which increases lower esophageal sphincter pressure, thereby reducing acid back-up.

    Misconceptions

    • Drinking milk before bedtime makes acid reflux worse by giving the stomach more food to digest and creating more stomach acid. Other foods to avoid include chocolate, fatty foods and caffeine.

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