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Acid Reflux Treatment
Introduction
Many chronic heartburn sufferers prefer an alternate, natural way of
treating their acid reflux. This acid reflux treatment may range
from home and homeopathic remedies to healthy diets and making
lifestyle changes.
Medical acid reflux treatment for gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
is intended to reduce the abnormal reflux of stomach acid and juices
into the esophagus, thereby preventing injury to the esophagus
lining or helping it heal if the damage has already been done.
Ongoing acid reflux treatment is vital for preventing GERD from
recurring and other conditions that might arise as complications of
acid reflux disease. Untreated acid reflux may lead to severe
complications, including esophageal cancer.
Suggested Treatments
Given below are some of the recommended acid reflux treatments for
GERD. As always it is imperative that you discuss the acid reflux
treatment alternatives with your health care professional.
Making changes in lifestyle
One of the very first steps health care professionals counsels their
patients during acid reflux treatment are lifestyle changes, like
quitting smoking, abstaining from alcoholic beverages, eating less
but more often etc. Heartburn symptoms can often be relieved if the
patients to put into effect a few of these lifestyle changes.
Diet Control
Nearly ninety percent of sufferers link their acid reflux symptoms
to specific foods. Thus it is essential that the patients control
their diet or intake in order to treat their heartburn. There are
foods that are usually safe for heartburn patients to consume and
that have little risk of triggering an acid reflux reaction. While
some specific foods must be avoided, as they cause heartburn to
occur.
Over-the-counter Remedies
Acid Reducers - This type of acid reflux treatment works by reducing
the amount of acid the stomach produces, and are generally used to
treat conditions in which acid comes up into the esophagus and
causes heartburn.
Antacids - These antacids work by neutralizing acid in the stomach.
Antacids neutralize stomach acid on contact and relieve heartburn.
This acid reflux medication is usually tried first when symptoms are
infrequent and mild.
Prescription Medications
Proton Pump Inhibitors - Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group
of prescription acid reflux medication that prevents the release of
excessive acid in the stomach and intestines. Health care
professionals generally prescribe this type of acid reflux treatment
for people suffering with severe heartburn, ulcers of the stomach or
intestine, or excessive stomach acid (referred to as Zollinger-Ellison
Syndrome).
Prokinetic agents – This type of acid reflux treatment is used to
improve GERD symptoms for patients with slow gastric emptying. They
speed digestion or increase the rate at which the stomach empties,
which prevents acid from staying in the stomach too long.
Fundoplication
Fundoplication surgery is the most common surgery used to treat GERD.
This surgery involves strengthening the valve between the esophagus
and stomach (lower esophageal sphincter), which keeps acid from
backing up into the esophagus as easily.
Enteryx Injections
The Enteryx procedure involves the use of a polymer device and a
solution that is injected into the lower esophageal sphincter during
an endoscopy. The injected medication forms a spongy mass that
reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter to prevent stomach acid
from moving into the esophagus.
Stretta Procedure
The Stretta procedure is the most acceptable acid reflux treatment.
This non-surgical procedure uses radio-frequency energy delivered
through an endoscope to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter
(LES). The Stretta procedure is relatively modern, and till date has
caused complications in less than one percent of the patients.
Alternative Treatments
These acid reflux treatment ranges from home and homeopathic
therapies to healthy diets and lifestyle changes.
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