When to seek medical advice

Most problems with heartburn are fleeting and mild. But if you have severe or frequent discomfort, you may be developing complications that need more intensive medical treatment and prescription medications. Talk to your doctor if you have:

• Heartburn several times a week
• Heartburn that returns soon after your antacid wears off
• Heartburn that wakes you up at night

You may need further medical care, possibly even surgery, if you experience any of these:

• Symptoms that persist even though you're taking prescription heartburn medications
• Difficulty swallowing
• Regurgitated blood or black material
• Stool that's black
• Weight loss

Do You Really Need Acid Reflux Drugs?

If you, like millions of people, suffer from the pain and discomfort of acid reflux disease, your doctor may have suggested medications to help ease your symptoms. Acid reflux, also known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease or GERD, is a painful condition that occurs when stomach contents re-enter the esophagus, due to a weakness of the esophageal sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus. Stomach acids can be dangerous and cause damage to the throat and larynx if left untreated, so it is important to see a doctor to diagnose and treat your symptoms.

Often the use of an acid reflux drug can help to stop the pain and other symptoms almost immediately, bringing welcome relief. Some types of acid reflux drugs cause the production of less acid in the stomach, and some cause the acid to become less strong.

However, while there are many types of acid reflux drug that your doctor may prescribe, prescription medications can be expensive, and sometimes have unwanted side effects. And many people simply want to avoid ingesting chemical medications, preferring a more natural approach wherever possible. Luckily there are many alternatives to acid reflux drugs. Some simple changes in lifestyle may avoid the need for acid reflux drugs. These changes include a special diet to avoid aggravating the acid reflux disease.

One step to take if you wish to avoid taking acid reflux drugs is to eat smaller and more frequent meals. Eating large meals tends to cause the stomach to produce too much acid, while waiting too long between meals can also allow the acids to further irritate the already-sensitive esophageal tissues. You will often notice a bitter taste in the back of your throat in this case.

Eating different foods may also help. Avoid foods that are very spicy, or high in fat. You may also find it helpful to avoid or cut back on alcohol, caffeine, and smoking. Learn which foods are naturally acidic, such as tomatoes, and avoid them while treating your acid reflux disease.

Finally, lying down after meals can almost always make acid reflux symptoms worse. Avoid after-dinner naps, and do not eat directly before bedtime.

If you follow these simple changes, you may find that there is no need to take an acid reflux drug. However, if our symptoms do not improve, check back with your doctor, as acid reflux symptoms can be damaging in the long run.

Acid Reflux Relief Can Be Dangerous

Yes, even the very thing that’s supposed to bring you relief from the discomfort and pain of acid reflux symptoms can sometimes hurt you further. You should realize that taking strong prescription medications can have serious side effects, and are not usually made of natural ingredients but of chemicals that can have unexpected impact on the body. As well, they tend to only treat the symptoms, and not correct the problem that is causing the symptoms in the first place. While you may be glad of the temporary acid reflux relief, medications may not be a long-term solution.


The problem in acid reflux is that the body is failing to close off the esophagus from the stomach, so that foods you eat begin to mix with stomach acids as they should, but then sometimes begin to come back into the throat. Most medications taken for acid reflux relief just make the stomach produce less acid, so that it doesn’t hurt the esophagus as much. But you need the stomach acids to digest your foods properly. The natural balance of your digestive system is upset by this, and while you may get some temporary acid reflux relief, in the long run you can create more problems for yourself.

Antacids - Acid Reflux Relief or Not?

Antacids are named to indicate that they are used for acid reflux relief, but are they? They work by neutralizing stomach acids, but then your body ahs a hard time digesting some foods, and also in getting the proper nutrients and vitamins out of the foods you do digest. Antacids make it especially difficult for your body to absorb vitamin B and iron, which are very important for your health. It won’t do you much good to be free of acid reflux symptoms only to get sick from something else.

Antacids are best left for use for occasional heartburn. For permanent acid reflux relief, try changing your diet to include less acidic foods, do not eat large meals, avoid fast foods and any foods that are high in fat or sugar, and avoid very spicy foods. These changes may also help you lose weight, which is great because weight loss is also recommended as a step toward acid reflux relief. Cut down or avoid drinking alcohol and coffee, and stop smoking. These will bring you the acid reflux relief you are looking for

Surgery for Acid Reflux Disease or GERD

There are many medications today to help relieve Acid Reflux, perscription and over the counter. For people with chronic acid reflux disease, these medications are sometimes just not enough and surgery may be their best chance for relief. The surgery can be done laparoscopically, but many patients don't want such a drastic procedure performed. Fortunately, a new less invasive outpatient surgery is available for acid reflux sufferers called the Plicator procedure.

Acid Reflux happens when the stomach contents refluxes back up into the esophagus because of a weak valve connecting the esophagus to the stomach. Surgery can correct this problem by tightening the valve to prevent the backup from the stomach to the esophagus. Until now, this procedure has been performed laparoscopically, which means a tiny camera/scope is inserted through a small incision which transmits images to a video monitor for the surgeon to see in order to perform surgery. General anesthesia is required for this type of surgery. Many patients are uncomfortable with such an invasive procedure.


The new less invasive surgery involves an instrument called the Plicator. This device enters the body by a tube down the throat. The surgeon uses it to grab, fold to tighten, and suture the stomach tissue without any incisions. This outpatient procedure requires the patient to be under conscious sedation instead of general anesthesia, and takes less than 30 minutes. Recovery time is a day or so, and patients can then stop taking antacid medication. The success rate of the Plicator procedure is now about 80% but it may need to be performed again after a few years to retighten the valve.

Acid Reflux Wedge Pillows

Acid Reflux happens when the liquid contents of your stomach reflux up into the esophagus. Many people suffer from nighttime acid reflux because when you lay down, the contents in your stomach is more likely to flow right into the esophagus since gravity is no longer helping to keep it down. If the liquid, which contains acid, stays long enough in the esophagus, it can cause damage to the lining of the esophagus. The contents of the stomach may even cause damage to the vocal cords or cause tooth decay. It can also irritate the throat which can cause coughing and sleepless nights.

There are many treatments to help with acid reflux disease, such as lifestyle changes, over the counter medications, or even surgery for severe cases. The acid reflux wedge pillow is one way to help prevent acid reflux from happening at night while you are sleeping. Sleeping at an incline 6 to 8 inches up on a acid reflux wedge pillow positions your body in a way that makes it difficult for the contents of your stomach to flow up into your esophagus. Gravity helps keep it down just as if you were standing up.

Infants and children with acid reflux can also benefit from an acid reflux wedge pillow. Since there are many concerns about SIDS, it is now recommended that children sleep either on their side or back. Children that sleep on their back are just as likely to suffer from acid reflux as adults. Some acid reflux wedge pillows especially made for infants and children have a harness like feature to keep them in place on the pillow. Some acid reflux wedge pillows are available for children with side barriers giving you the option to lay your child on his or her side.


A wedge pillow for acid reflux offers great relief for those who suffer from acid reflux disease. Using the acid reflux wedge pillow and other treatments together can help you to get that great night sleep you have been looking for.

Prescribed acid reflux medications

Your doctor may perscribe a stronger medication to help a more serious acid reflux condition if over the counter medications don't help.

One type of medication, called a proton pump inhibitor, stops the production of an enzyme that produces stomach acid. This medication is more effective in stopping acid from being produced than the over the counter Histamine-2 receptor blockers.

Doctors also prescribe promotility agents. This medication strengthens the lower esophageal sphincter to help the food in the stomach empty faster

Over the counter Acid Reflux Medications

Antacids are a very effective way to help relieve acid reflux symptoms. If you take them 1 hour after meals they neutralize the acid in your stomach making it less likely for acid to reflux into the esophagus.

Histamine-2 receptor blockers are also available over the counter. This medication prevents acid production. These must be taken at least 1 hour before meals since they can only prevent acid from being produced, not eliminate it if it already exists.

Lifestyle Changes

Eating and then lying down right after can make it easier for the acid in your stomach to be available to reflux into the esophagus. If you eat and then lie down, the body is producing acid to digest the food so there is plenty available when fluids are refluxing into the esophagus. It's best if your stomach is empty when lying down. But, if the stomach is full, it would be helpful if you elevate the head of your bed 6 inches so gravity can help keep the acid down.

Don't eat large meals. An over full stomach needs more acid to digest, meaning more acid to reflux into the esophagus.

Avoid Fatty foods or spicy foods, Citrus fruits, Onions,Tomato products, Coffee, Caffeinated tea, Alcoholic beverages, Chocolate, mints or peppermints, and Pepper. These foods weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, causing acid reflux.

Stop smoking, this also weakens the lower esophageal sphincter causing acid reflux.

Stay fit and exercise regularly(but not on a full stomach) since overweight people are more likely to suffer from acid reflux than someone who is in shape.

ACID REFLUX TREATMENTS

Acid reflux can't be cured, but it can be treated for relief. There are many ways to relieve the discomfort of acid reflux without a doctors help. These treatments include certain lifestyle changes and over the counter medications. If these treatments don't work, then a doctor may prescribe a medication for acid reflux relief.