Learn How to Prevent Acid Reflux and Heartburn

Medication

Many people’s symptoms can be alleviated by making lifestyle modifications. Others may need drugs to prevent or treat acid reflux and heartburn. Your doctor may advise you to take over-the-counter or prescription medications such as antacids, such as calcium carbonate (Tums), H2-receptor blockers, such as famotidine (Pepcid AC) or cimetidine (Tagamet HB), mucosal protectants, such as sucralfate (Carafate), proton pump inhibitors, such as rabeprazole (Aciphex), descanso (Nexium)

 

Proton Pump Inhibitors: A Word of Caution

The most effective therapies for persistent acid reflux are proton pump inhibitors. They’re typically thought to be highly safe. They reduce the amount of stomach acid produced by your body. Unlike some other medications, they only need to be used once a day to keep symptoms at bay.

The long-term use of proton pump inhibitors has some disadvantages. They can reduce your body’s supply of vitamin B-12 over time. Proton pump inhibitors can increase your risk of infection and bone fractures because stomach acid is one of your body’s defenses against infection. They can increase your risk of hip, spine, and wrist fractures in particular. They can also be costly, frequently costing more than $100 per month.

Surgery

Surgery is only required in extremely uncommon cases of acid reflux and heartburn. The Nissen fundoplication treatment is the most commonly performed to treat acid reflux. A surgeon raises a part of your stomach and tightens it around the junction of your stomach and esophagus during this surgery. This raises the pressure in your lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

A laparoscope is used to do this surgery. You will be required to stay in the hospital for one to three days following the procedure. Complications are uncommon, and the outcomes are extremely effective. However, surgery may result in increased bloating and flatulence, as well as difficulty swallowing.

 

The Bottom Line

Consult your doctor if you have frequent acid reflux or heartburn. They may advise you to adjust to your lifestyle to help prevent your symptoms. For example, they may suggest you eat smaller meals, stand up after eating or exclude particular foods from your diet. They might also persuade you to lose weight or stop smoking.

If lifestyle modifications do not alleviate your symptoms, your doctor may advise you to take over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Surgery may be required in rare circumstances. Complications from surgery are uncommon.