Acid Reflux Prevention & Treatment

Prevention & Treatment

How to Prevent Against This

Acid reflux is different from acid indigestion or heartburn. Acid indigestion is preventable by avoiding certain foods and changing diet and lifestyle habits. Sometimes, these strategies can help prevent acid reflux. In any case, it is important to understand that acid indigestion and acid reflux do not have the same biological cause. Acid reflux is caused by a malfunctioning esophageal sphincter. It might not be possible to prevent this problem from occurring. Diet and lifestyle changes but help, but results will vary from person to person.

Diet Tips

Certain foods instigate acid reflux symptoms. These include alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods, chocolate, acidic food, milk, creamy foods, some vegetables, garlic, carbonated beverages, and mint. It is also beneficial to avoid large meals. Eating smaller meals throughout the day can help alleviate symptoms of heartburn, nausea, and acid reflux. Avoid smoking, since smoking can cause the esophageal sphincter to become weak or malfunction. Eating less than two hours before bedtime can cause supine acid reflux.

Treatment & Relief Methods

Three types of treatments are available to help relieve symptoms for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux. The first involves changes to diet and lifestyle, the second requires medications, and the third involves surgery.

Sometimes, altering sleeping positions can help alleviate symptoms. Studies reveal that raising the head can help relieve symptoms. The head must be raised enough to prevent gastric juices from flowing back down the esophagus to the stomach.

Losing weight can help alleviate symptoms among people who are obese. People with obesity in the abdominal areas should avoid tight-fitting clothing. Smokers should quit smoking.

Medications that are commonly prescribed for acid reflux include antacids, proton pump inhibitors, prokinetics, mosapride citrate, and sucralfate. Different medications will help different kinds of symptoms among patients. No medication is right for everyone, and a doctor's expert advice is necessary for choosing the right combination of drugs.

Common Surgeries

Surgical treatments include Nissen fundoplication, a procedure where the top part of the stomach is moved to support the sphincter in order to prevent symptoms and fix a hiatal hernia. Another possible surgery is a transoral incisionless fundaplication (TIF), when a doctor uses a device to repair the connection between the stomach and diaphragm.