
Is Acid Reflux Disease Ever Treated With Surgery? Prokinetics ( Reglan, Urecholine) can help strengthen the LES, empty your stomach faster, and reduce acid reflux.ĭon't combine more than one type of antacid or other medications without your doctor's guidance.Proton pump inhibitors ( Aciphex, Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix) also reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes.H2 blockers ( Pepcid, Tagamet) decrease acid production.Foaming agents ( Gaviscon) coat your stomach to prevent reflux.Your doctor may suggest more than one type or suggest you try a combination of medications such as these: If antacids don't help, your doctor may try other medications. When combined, they may help counteract these gastrointestinal side effects. It's best to use antacids that contain both magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide. But they may cause diarrhea or constipation, especially if you overuse them. In many cases, lifestyle changes combined with over-the-counter medications are all you need to control the symptoms of acid reflux disease.Īntacids, such as Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, or Riopan, can neutralize the acid from your stomach. Also, ask your doctor whether any medication could be triggering your heartburn or other symptoms of acid reflux disease.Ĭan Acid Reflux Disease Be Treated With Medications?.If you're overweight or obese, take steps to lose weight with exercise and diet changes.Don't wear tight clothes or tight belts.

Try sleeping in a chair for daytime naps.Eat at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down.Put blocks under the head of your bed to raise it at least 4 inches to 6 inches.Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day and modify the types of foods you are eating.One of the most effective ways to treat acid reflux disease is to avoid the foods and beverages that trigger symptoms. A biopsymay be taken during endoscopy to check samples of tissue under a microscope for infection or abnormalities.Ĭan Acid Reflux Disease Be Treated With Diet and Lifestyle Changes?.First, the doctor will spray the back of your throat with anesthetic and give you a sedative to make you more comfortable. This test involves inserting a long, flexible, lighted tube with a camera down your throat. Endoscopycan check for problems in your esophagus or stomach.The doctor inserts a device into your esophagus and leaves it in place for 1 to 2 days to measure the amount of acid in your esophagus. pH monitoring can check for acid in your esophagus.Esophageal manometry can check the function and movement of the esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter.You first swallow a solution to help structures show up on an X-ray. Barium swallow (esophagram) can check for ulcers or a narrowing of the esophagus.You may need one or more tests such as these: If these steps don't help or if you have frequent or severe symptoms, your doctor may order tests to confirm a diagnosis and check for other problems. Symptoms such as heartburn are the key to the diagnosis of acid reflux disease, especially if lifestyle changes, antacids, or acid-blocking medications help reduce these symptoms. It's time to see your doctor if you have acid reflux symptoms two or more times a week or if medications don't bring lasting relief. Wheezing, dry cough, hoarseness, or chronic sore throat.Dysphagia - the sensation of food being stuck in your throat.Bloody or black stools or bloody vomiting.Other symptoms of acid reflux disease include: Regurgitation: a sour or bitter-tasting acid backing up into your throat or mouth.Heartburn: a burning pain or discomfort that may move from your stomach to your abdomen or chest, or even up into your throat.

What Are the Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease?

Eating a heavy meal and lying on your back or bending over at the waist.Eating large meals or lying down right after a meal.These are other common risk factors for acid reflux disease: But if you have a hiatal hernia, acid can move up into your esophagus and cause symptoms of acid reflux disease. Normally, the diaphragm helps keep acid in our stomach. This occurs when the upper part of the stomach and LES move above the diaphragm, a muscle that separates your stomach from your chest. One common cause of acid reflux disease is a stomach abnormality called a hiatal hernia.
