Use A GERD Treatment To Reduce Your Symptoms

Have you ever experienced a burning sensation in your chest that happens right after eating? If this occurs frequently, then you might be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or acid reflux disease in short.

GERD is pretty common as it is. However, although it is common, it does not mean that it cannot be dangerous. Over time, regurgitation of the stomach acid can tear away the esophagus. This can lead to serious discomforts that may affect the quality of life and interfere with even the most common activities.

But here’s the good news. Acid reflux is generally a treatable disease. And the best thing about it? Through various lifestyle changes and dietary modifications, it can be controlled. As you take on the necessary steps outlined in this book, you can take control of these debilitating symptoms and soon, heartburn will be a thing of the past.

Conventional GERD Treatment Methods

Most conventional medicines are aimed at relieving symptoms. These include taking medications or even undergoing surgery to eliminate the symptoms.

Antacids

Antacids work rapidly to relieve heartburn symptoms. They work directly in the stomach to decrease the acidity of the reflux liquid irritating the esophagus. They also help neutralize the area inside the esophagus.

They are best taken either just before eating or an hour after a meal. This way, the antacids will stay in the stomach longer, and their effect will increase.

Some of the side effects antacids are known for include diarrhea or constipation, depending on the kind of antacid. It may also increase the risk for kidney stones development.

H-2 Blockers

H2 blockers have been the traditional treatment for acid reflux because many of them can be an effective short-term therapy for resistant acid reflux symptoms. They are more effective when they are given in high doses rather than the more standard doses. They are also more effective taken twice a day rather than once a day.

Also known as H2 receptor antagonists, these medications inhibit the acid secretion in the stomach. They can work in about 30 minutes and last up to 8 hours.

Although no or little side effects have been identified with this type of drug, it is known to cause mild temporary diarrhea, dizziness, and rash.

Promotility Agents

Another type of drug for GERD treatment are promotility agents. These increase the strength of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle and quicken the emptying of the stomach contents.

These drugs are used for mild to moderate acid reflux symptoms and they are especially good at decreasing heartburn symptoms at night. They used frequently with H2 blockers to work together but act in different ways to reduce symptoms.

Proton pump inhibitors

These drugs help medications heal erosive esophagitis more rapidly than H2 blockers by decreasing the acidity of the stomach contents by inhibiting an enzyme necessary for acid secretion.

Proton-pump inhibitors work by maintaining an acid level of more than 4.0 for longer periods than promotility agents. They are most effective for healing esophagitis and preventing complications. However, they may have little or no effect on regurgitation or controlling asthmatic symptoms.

Foaming Agents

Foaming agents are drugs that help cover your stomach contents with foam to prevent acid reflux. They contain a combination of aluminum hydroxide gel, magnesium trisilicate, and alginate. Foaming agents are best taken after meals and in combination with other drugs to maximize their effectiveness. If your esophagus is damaged, foaming agents are useless.

Fundoplication

Also called Nissen fundoplication, this procedure is a standard surgery with numerous potential complications and should not be performed except when every treatment method has failed.

This surgery will help strengthen the valve between the esophagus and stomach, which stops acid from backing up into the esophagus s easily. This allows the esophagus to heal.

Stretta system and Bard endoscopic suturing system

Both use an endoscope that is inserted through the throat to reach the valve at the end of the esophagus and the beginning of the stomach. Both devices try to tighten the valve, but this is where the similarities end. These procedures are still relatively new.

Alternative & Natural GERD Treatment Methods

Herbal Therapy

There are three groups of herbs that are used to treat acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion. These are: bitters (digestive invigorators), carminatives (gas reducing herbs), and demulcents (soothing herbs).

Bitter herbs are thought to stimulate digestive function by increasing saliva production and promoting both stomach acid and digestive enzyme production. Some herbs used for this purpose are artichokes, barberry, bitter orange, centaury, gentian, and greater celandine.

The second type of herbs are known as carminative gas-reducing herbs.

Also called as aromatic digestive tonics, these herbs may be used to relieve symptoms of indigestion, particularly when there is excessive gas. It is believed that carminative agents work by relieving spasms in the intestinal tract. Some herbs of this type are anise, caraway, and ginger.

The third and last type of herbs are the demulcents. Demulcents work by decreasing inflammation and forming a physical barrier against stomach acid or other abdominal irritants. Licorice, bladderwrack, and marshmallow are examples of this herb category.

Dietary changes

Dietary changes are probably among the most important things one should do in order to provide relief for GERD. This means choosing the right foods to eat, as well as eliminating aggravating foods in the diet. Proper eating patterns should also be observed in order to prevent such symptoms from occurring.

Treaments To Reduce Gerd Symptoms

GERD is highly debilitating disease, but it can be well managed with a variety of methods. It is important that you should listen to your body and its needs in order for you to determine the best treatment.