GERD is treated according to the symptoms. Some type of symptoms can only be treated by just changing lifestyle; what they drink or eat. Others will need medications. In some very exceptional cases, when GERD is very severe, a surgical treatment would be necessary.
GERD is treated according to the symptoms. Some type of symptoms can only be treated by just changing lifestyle; what they drink or eat. Others will need medications. In some very exceptional cases, when GERD is very severe, a surgical treatment would be necessary.
The lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and alcohol, losing extra weight can help in healing or alleviation the GERD. Eating small meals, wearing loose-fitting clothes, avoiding carbonated soft drinks and foods that trigger reflux will also help in prevention GERD.
It is also advisable to have a gap between taking a meal and going to bed. Gravity plays a significant function in controlling reflux. Eat meals at least 3 to 4 hours before lying down on bed, and also avoid bedtime snacks. Doctors sometimes also advise elevating head of the bed about 6 to 8 inches. Other solutions include different medications to relieve symptoms. Over-the-counter antacids, such as Alka-Seltzer or Maalox, are effective by neutralizing stomach acid with mild symptoms.
Those people who have problems with lower esophageal sphincter (LES) will discover that if they lie down after taking a large meal, food pushes back into the esophagus and results heartburn. Maintain an upright posture after a meal is digested may help in preventing the heartburn. Also avoid exertion after a meal. It causes contractions in abdominal muscles and forcing out food through a weakened sphincter. This is especially true with jobs that involve bending such as lifting or cleaning the floor.
Other medications called H2 blockers are also available that work by stopping the production of stomach acids. If your doctor thinks them suitable to take then he will prescribe for you.
Other type of powerful prescription drugs includes proton pump inhibitors. The medicines also reduce production of stomach acids. Some of these are also easily accessible over-the-counter. Doctors also prescribe these for people with more severe or persistent GERD.
For teenagers, some doctors mix these medicines by advising patients both antacids and H2 blockers. The antacid goes to work first to neutralize the acid in the stomach, while the H2 blocker performs on acid production. By the time the antacid has stopped working, the H2 blocker will have stopped acid production.
Surgery is a last option for people with GERD and is hardly ever required in healthy teens. The typical surgical treatment for GERD is called fundoplication (pronounced: fun-doh-plih-kay-shun). During the surgery, the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophageal sphincter to reinforce the sphincter thus preventing reflux. Fundoplication has been used in people of all ages, even babies with severe GERD.
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