Finding an Acid Reflux Cure

If you’ve familiarized yourself with the symptoms of acid reflux (a.k.a. gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD) you may be wondering if there is an acid reflux cure. Well, the first step if you have chronic heartburn, or any of the other symptoms, is to see a doctor. He/she can provide information on some of the many treatments available for an acid reflux cure. These include lifestyle changes, medications and surgery.

Acid Reflux Cure

Lifestyle change is not always a successful acid reflux cure (people react very differently to changes in diet, and no particular foods have been proven to cause or prevent acid reflux), but these tips are definitely helpful:

• If you smoke, quit.
• Try and lose weight
• Eat smaller meals
• Wear less tight-fitting clothing
• Stay upright (sitting or standing) for at least 3 hours after eating
• Incline/raise the head of your bed 6-8 inches (15-20 cm)

However, a more guaranteed acid reflux cure involves medication – over-the-counter antacids that your doctor may recommend, or medications that stop acid production.

Antacids are the first line of offence in your acid reflux cure, however they do have side effects.  Magnesium salt can lead to diarrhea, while aluminum salt can cause constipation.  (Fortunately, these products are often combined to cancel each other out.)

Another possible acid reflux cure involving medications include foaming agents (covering your stomach contents to prevent reflux) H2 blockers, which impede acid production, which are effective for about half GERD patients, and proton pump inhibitors (more effective that H2 blockers).  Another group of drugs can strengthen the esophagus sphincter to empty the stomach faster. 

Finally, if symptoms persist, the only other acid reflux cure is non-invasive medical procedures such as a spongy implant into the esophagus, or invasive surgery.