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Gerd Treatment

By admin | October 5, 2008

The key aim in acid reflux / GERD treatment is to prevent stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. The purpose of this is to prevent any further damage to the lining of the esophagus and to facilitate the healing of any affected areas.

There are a variety of treatments for GERD sufferers ranging from dietary/ lifestyle changes to surgery.

In some cases a change in lifestyle can significantly reduce the impact of GERD.

Acid reflux can cause considerable damage during sleep when a person is lying flat. It is is advisable for GERD sufferers to sleep in a bed tha can be elevated at top or a bed that has been propped up by blocks. By sleeping with the upper body raised, gravity can help to prevent the flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. The symptoms can also by eased by eating at least 2 hours before going to bed and by avoiding ‘over-eating’ (i.e. eating unnecessarily large portions of food).

Changes in diet can also help to reduce the symptoms of GERD. It has been found that certain foods alter the pressure in the lower esophagal sphincter allowing stomach acid flow into the esophagus. These foods include: food with a high fat content/ fried foods, peppermint, chocolate and drinks containing caffine. Certain other foods can aggravate the symptoms of GERD including: acid fruits, spicy foods and pickled foods.

Smoking is believed to reduce the lower esophagal sphincter’s strength causing to allow the stomach’s contents to enter into the esophagus. The saliva which is produced to help the esophagus to clear acid can be decreased by the nicotine in cigarettes, hence, leaving the esophagus open to acid attack.

Likewise, alcohol can aggrevate the symptoms of GERD by weakening the esophagus’s contractions and this allowing acidic liquid to enter into the esophagus.. Drug therapy may in, some cases, be a necessary, GERD treatment. Some sufferers will be medically advised to avail of over the counter antacids. In other instances, specific drugs such as H2 blockers may be prescribed.

Surgery is likely to be advised in instances where lifestyle/ diet changes and drug therapy have failed to get the symptoms under control. It may also be recommended to people whose muscle sphincter is not functioning properly and those who have developed esophageal cancer.

Fundoplication is the main type of surgery used in GERD treatement. It involves strengthening the valve between the esophagus and the stomach. As seen above there a range of options available to people wishing to limit the impact of GERD on their life. It is, however, strongly advised to seek medical advice before embarking on any course of action in relation to GERD treatment.

Topics: Acid Reflux, Heartburn Treatment, gerd | No Comments »

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