When you suffer from acid reflux, you want something that’s going to work and quickly. There are many different treatment options if you suffer from acid reflux, also called GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease).

Some of the treatment options include lifestyle changes, over the counter medications and antacids, prescription medications and in some cases, surgery.

The basic lifestyle changes that might be recommended for people with acid reflux include losing weight if they are overweight, and changing their diet. Since some foods are more likely to cause acid reflux, these foods can be avoided so that the symptoms of acid reflux can also be avoided. Some foods to avoid include caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, tomatoes and spicy foods.

Other treatment options include medications and antacids. Today, many medications that previously required a prescription are available over the counter without a prescription. Some of these you can take before you eat and get relief within an hour and others are medications that you can take at the beginning of the day to avoid acid reflux symptoms throughout the day.

For most people with relatively mild acid reflux, antacids are usually effective and most doctors will recommend that people try antacids first before moving into more serious medications.

If antacids, change of diet and even non-prescription medications don’t work, many doctors will recommend prescription drugs. These drugs do require a prescription, but they are fairly easy to get, since most doctors are more than happy to provide them. There can be side effects to some of these medications, though, so not everyone can take them.

Some of the prescription medications in particular can’t be used for a short period of time. Unlike an antacid that you might take when symptoms appear and not take again until it’s needed, many prescription medications will require regular use. Often, prescription medications must be considered a permanent solution to the acid reflux problem.

Finally, many people end up having surgery because other treatments have failed. Surgery is usually considered a good option if the patient has other medical conditions that might prevent the use of acid reflux medications or that might exacerbate the symptoms. Surgery is also often recommended for people who are young and have acid reflux and are looking at a lifetime of acid reflux treatment; for those people, surgery can provide a money-saving and lifestyle-saving option.

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GERD - Serious Consequences can Result without Proper Treatment.