Treatment for Acid Reflux and GERD
Targets of treatment are reducing reflux, relieving symptoms, and preventing damage to the esophagus.
Usually there are three types of treatments for reflux and GERD. These include lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery. Depending on the severity of your GERD, treatment may involve one or more of the following lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery.
Acid reflux treatments, normally provide relief from the symptoms of acid reflux syndrome. Acid reflux is the backflow of the stomach acids into the esophagus. This normally occurs due to the improper functioning of the esophagus sphincter valve, which locks the food inside for digestion. Since, the repair of the esophageal sphincter valve can only be made through surgery which is last option, most of the acid reflux treatments concentrate on providing relief from the symptoms. .... Please read more
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes are the best and most effective cure . Making changes to your lifestyle can help to relieve your symptoms of GERD or Acid reflux disease significantly.
Acid reflux disease, or GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease), occurs when acid and other contents in the stomach "back up" into the esophagus, creating a painful, burning sensation and sometimes causing permanent damage to the lining of the esophagus as well. There are medications that can help ease the discomfort of acid reflux disease, but for maximum benefit, physicians recommend lifestyle changes along with the use of medications. Please read full details on next page
What Medication is needed
In most cases of the GERD diseases, adopting lifestyle changes may be enough to control and alleviate the pain of acid reflux or heartburn.
When the symptoms of acid reflux persist after sustained lifestyle changes, you may have to resort to the medication. Your doctor may suggest you take some non-prescription acid reflux medications to start with.
While there are medications for acid reflux available both non-prescription and prescription, the fact is these medications are only meant for short-term treatment and can cause side effects when taken continuously for a number of years.
The most common non- prescription acid reflux medicines are antacids.
If self-care and treatment with nonprescription medication does not work, your doctor likely will prescribe one of a class of stronger antacids. This therapy may be needed only for a short time or over a longer period while you make gradual changes in your lifestyle.
A several number of prescription medications are available and approved to treat severe heartburn ( GERD ) by preventing secretion of acid from the stomach. ... Please read full story
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