Acid reflux treatment with diet and lifestyle changes

One of the most effective ways to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease - diet and abstinence from food and beverages, which cause the symptoms of the disease. In addition, the following changes are recommended diet and lifestyle:

• Eat more often during the day, but reduce the portions.
• Quit smoking.
• Put under the front legs of the bed something to the head was elevated by 10-15 centimeters.
• Dine at least two to three hours before bedtime.
• During the day, try to not sleep in a bed, and in the chair.
• Do not wear tight clothing and tight is not contracted by the waist belt.
• If you are overweight or obese, try to lose weight through exercise and diet.

If these funds are not effective, ask your doctor to prescribe medications for heartburn and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Treatment of acid reflux by drugs

In many cases, the lifestyle changes in conjunction with the reception of prescribed medication sufficiently to control the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Antacids (substances that lower acidity), such as Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Mylanta or Riopan neutralize acid in the stomach to the extent that no acid remains to reflux. However, the effect of antacids is short-lived; they come from an empty stomach very quickly 9menshe than an hour), and the acid accumulates. Therefore, it is better to take antacids hour before meals or before reflux should happen after ingestion. Since food delays gastric emptying, antacid received after meals stays in the stomach for a longer time and lasts longer. For the same reason, a second dose of an antacid, adopted two hours after ingestion, it promotes long stomach emptying and restores function neutralize acid in the stomach.

Moreover, antacids can cause side effects, such as diarrhea or constipation, especially with frequent use. It is best to use an antacid containing both magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide. Together, these compounds help to neutralize the unpleasant side effects of the gastrointestinal tract.

If antacids do not help, your doctor may prescribe other drugs, many of which are available only by prescription. Sometimes prescribed several types of drugs or a combination thereof, in particular:

• film barriers (Gaviscon) tablets that consist of an antacid agent and a film. As soon as the tablets dissolve and reach the stomach, they are converted into a film that appears on top of the liquid contents of the stomach. The film forms a barrier to the reflux liquid. At the same time, an antacid, a film attached to neutralize acid which comes into contact with the film.
• H2-receptor antagonists, histamine (pepsid, Tagamet, Zantac) attached to the histamine receptors, which are located on cells of the stomach, producing acid and stimulate these cells to produce acid. Histamine receptor antagonists inhibit histamine, thereby preventing stimulation of histamine cells containing acid. H2-receptor antagonists of histamine good help in reducing the symptoms of GERD, especially heartburn. They are also good to use for the treatment of inflammation (esophagitis), which may accompany GERD.
• proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec, prevatsid, Protonix, atsifeks, Nexium): PPI block the production of acid in the stomach cells that are responsible for this function. Proton pump inhibitors not only help in treating the symptoms of heartburn, but are also effective for protecting the esophagus from acid. They apply if H2-receptor antagonists, histamine not alleviate the symptoms or complications of GERD when observed, such as ulcers and erosions.
• preparations of low activity (Reglan, metoclopramide) stimulate the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small and / or large intestine, and thereby reduce the acid reflux.

Do not take antacids at the same time several types or other medications without first consulting your doctor.

Surgical treatment of acid reflux

If the drugs are not effective in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and the symptoms are preventing you from living a normal life, it is recommended surgery (fundoplication). During fundoplication hernia sac and the diaphragm descends sewn there. Moreover, the hole in the diaphragm through which the esophagus, adheres to the esophagus. Finally, the upper part of the stomach near the hole leading to the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophagus to form artificial esophageal sphincter. This surgical procedure may be performed through an incision in the abdomen or using special techniques (laparoscopy). Surgery - the latest version of the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is used only in case of failure of all the others.