Common Treatment Options for Acid Reflux and GERD
GERD is a chronic disease, where long-term relapse prevention is the key to treatment, making long-term therapy necessary. All treatment and medications aim to reduce the amount of acid refluxing from the stomach back into the esophagus or reduce the irritation caused to the esophageal lining due to the reflux. The goal of treatment of GERD is to eliminate symptoms, heal esophagitis, and prevent its relapse. Some common treatment options for GERD and acid reflux are mentioned below: 1. Over the counter medications Many people use over the counter medications to treat heartburn and minor GERD. They use them along with natural remedies or when natural remedies do not work. Treatment is necessary when lifestyle or diet changes do not work to cure acid reflux and GERD.The FDA has approved many over the counter medications (OTCs) without prescriptions. Some others are available with prescriptions. The OTCs provide a great deal of relief in treating heartburn. The OTC medications recommended may be one of these three types: 2. Antacids A dose of antacids is generally the first and mildest treatment option recommended. They work immediately to relieve one of heartburn. They are very useful for treating mild symptoms. They contain magnesium, calcium, aluminum, or a combination of these.