What is the Most Effective Reflux Disease Treatment?

Reflux disease is usually not serious, but it can be quite uncomfortable to endure. Common symptoms of the condition include pain in the chest that radiates to the throat, a sour taste in the mouth and a feeling like there is a lump in the back of the throat. Over time, GERD reflux disease can result in a chronic cough, sore throat and hoarseness. These symptoms may indicate that the disease has caused damage to the esophageal lining, and most doctors will recommend a reflux disease treatment at this time to stop the damage and give the esophagus time to heal.

Many patients find that effective acid reflux treatment is as easy as simple lifestyle and diet modifications. Most heartburn can be attributed to a particular food trigger, and by learning what your specific triggers are, you can take measures to reduce your symptoms. Common triggers include tomato products, alcoholic and caffeinated beverages and chocolate. Spicy foods can also be a culprit. The key is to learn which foods cause your symptoms by paying attention to what you eat and when your symptoms arise.

In other cases, lifestyle changes will be effective reflux disease treatment. Some patients find that avoiding large meals too close to bedtime or raising the head of the bed a few inches will ward off heartburn symptoms in the middle of the night. Doctors will also advise patients to quit smoking, since nicotine can increase acid production and heartburn symptoms. People who are overweight might find that shedding excess pounds is a good reflux disease treatment. However, if these home remedies do not prove effective, it may be time to talk to your doctor about medication options.

Medication

An over the counter reflux disease treatment is often the first place to start with heartburn medication. Occasional bouts will usually respond well to an antacid like Tums or Rolaids. More frequent occurrences may require an H-2 receptor blocker that reduces the amount of acid produced to cut down on symptoms. If the doctor suspects damage to the esophageal lining, he may recommend a reflux disease treatment like a proton pump inhibitor that will block the production of acid so the esophagus has time to heal. If over the counter remedies are not effective, the doctor may turn to a prescription reflux disease treatment.

Reflux disease is usually not serious, but it can be very uncomfortable. The good news is that there are many options in reflux disease treatment that will keep painful symptoms at bay and allow patients to enjoy a higher quality of life.