Acid reflux is a painful medical condition in which contents from the stomach mixed with acid, flow back up through the stomach, into the small intestine and up through the esophagus. Once the stomach acids enter the esophagus, a person will experience painful and uncomfortable symptoms, such as heartburn and chest pain.

Acid reflux is a condition that affects people in different ways. Some sufferers will only experience symptoms after eating certain kinds of foods, while other sufferers will have symptoms only at night. Fortunately, acid reflux is easy to treat and most people respond well to making lifestyle changes and taking over-the-counter medications.

The most common types of over-the-counter medications include antacids, such as Tums or Pepto-Bismol. Antacids help to neutralize the acids in the stomach by using a combination of salts. Antacids are a popular choice because they can be taken after a meal, when reflux symptoms begin to appear. Best of all, antacids are fast-acting and last about 1 to 2 hours.

Another over-the-counter acid reflux treatment is an acid blocker. Acid blockers are taken prior to a meal and they stop the production of acid. There are two different types of acid blockers; H2 antagonists and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). H2 antagonists are the first choice of doctors because they are effective and not as strong as PPIs.

Examples of H2 antagonists include Pepcid and Zantac. These over-the-counter medications can be taken on a regular basis and have few side effects. If they do not offer relief however, a prescription dose of these medications can be prescribed, but a patient cannot be on these dosages for long periods of time.

If a person does not show relief from taking H2 antagonists, he or she will be prescribed a PPI, such as Prilosec. PPIs are stronger forms of medication and are available in both prescription and non-prescription dosages. Doctors recommend that people take PPIs for a short time until the person is symptom-free. When this occurs, usually in about 2 weeks, the person’s dosage will be split in half and then withdrawn completely.

Another type of acid reflux treatment is a special diet which encourages sufferers to focus on the basic foods groups including whole grains, dairy products, lean meats, fruits, and vegetables. Fatty and fried foods should be avoided, as well as whole milk and creamy products. The acid reflux diet also eliminates caffeinated and carbonated beverages, peppermint candies and chewing gum, and chocolate.

Besides eating certain kinds of foods, the acid reflux diet encourages sufferers to make some lifestyle changes. Meals should be eaten in smaller portion sizes, but more frequently. About 5 to 6 small meals is preferred over 3 large meals. A person should remain upright after eating and avoid snacks before bedtime. Sleeping with the head elevated is also helpful in relieving nighttime reflux symptoms.

Although simple, drinking plenty of filtered water is another effective acid reflux treatment method. Staying hydrated not only keeps the body cleansed and free of harmful toxins, but it also acts as a detoxification process. For an added benefit, taking probiotics also helps to restore the stomach’s natural functioning.

Keep in mind that while 7 to 8 glasses of water is beneficial to a normal person, more water will be needed for people that suffer from acid reflux. This is because more water is needed to dilute the acids in the stomach.

In rare cases when nothing else has worked, surgery may be a necessary form of acid reflux treatment. There are different types of surgeries that can be done, so it’s best to speak with a doctor beforehand. Laparoscopy is the most common form of acid reflux surgery and involves wrapping the upper portion of the stomach around the lower part of the esophagus.

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