Acid reflux is a common, yet serious medical condition that creates symptoms of heartburn and discomfort. Acid reflux is also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Reflux occurs when substances in the stomach mixed with acids flow back into the esophagus. It’s these acids that create the feelings of heartburn and discomfort.

It’s common for people to experience symptoms of acid reflux on occasion, which is why many people do not realize they have acid reflux for quite some time. Instead, people try to treat the condition on their own, not realizing that this could have further implications.

The most common symptoms of acid reflux include heartburn, pain in the abdomen, nausea, and fullness. Although less common, other symptoms of reflux are throat symptoms, including a dry cough, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, and hiccups. With acid reflux, these symptoms will be chronic and experienced during or shortly after eating.

In order to relieve the symptoms of acid reflux, there are certain medications and a special diet that needs to be followed. Fortunately, reflux treatment has great success and often reduces or eliminates the symptoms of acid reflux.

The goal of reflux treatment is to reduce the amount of acid present in the esophagus. The most common types of treatment methods involves using over-the-counter antacids, such as Mylanta and Maalox. Acid blocker medications can also be used and include Zantac or Pepcid.

Both antacids and acid blockers help to neutralize or decrease the acids in the stomach. Because these medications can be purchased over-the-counter, they have few side effects and are safe to take on a regular basis. However, in high doses, antacids can cause side effects such as diarrhea or constipation, so it’s important to discuss everything with a doctor beforehand.

If over-the-counter medications do not work, doctors will prescribe prescription medications, or proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), for reflux treatment. These medications are stronger and cannot be taken as freely as over-the-counter medicines. Generally, PPIs will be prescribed for a short time and when symptoms subside, the dosage is split in half. When the symptoms are gone, the drug is withdrawn.

Another form of acid reflux treatment is a special diet. The acid reflux diet focuses on eating foods from the major food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, and meats. Some acidity fruits such as oranges, pineapples, and grapefruits, can cause symptoms of reflux however, and should be avoided.

It is also important for sufferers of acid reflux to stay away from foods that are high in fat. Fast foods and fried foods should be avoided, as well as oils, whole milk products, and creamed foods and soups. Caffeinated beverages such as teas, sodas and coffees should be reduced or eliminated from the diet as well.

It is also important for people to make lifestyles changes as part of their reflux treatment plan. Meals should be smaller and more frequent to avoid overeating. People with acid reflux should refrain from lying down after eating as well, and should remain upright for 30 minutes or more.

If medications, a special diet and lifestyle changes do not help a sufferer of acid reflux, surgery may need to be performed. Surgery is uncommon however, and only done in severe cases where no other reflux treatment methods are effective. During the surgery, or laparoscopy, the surgeon folds the upper portion of the stomach and attaches it to the esophagus. The acids will then flow properly and also present less pressure on the sphincter. While surgery does present some risks, it is a successful alternative when nothing else works.

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