Specific treatments for GERD will vary depending on individual needs, however the goals are essentially the same:

• To bring the symptoms under control so that you feel better.
• To heal the esophagus of inflammation or injury.
• To manage or prevent complications, such as Barrett's Esophagus or stricture.
• To maintain the symptoms of GERD in remission so that daily life is unaffected or minimally affected by reflux.

Lifestyle Changes
Medications
Surgery

Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes are one avenue of therapy that may help achieve the goals of treatment. These changes are fairly straightforward:

• If you smoke, stop.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Lose weight if needed.
• Eat small meals.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes.
• Avoid lying down for 3 hours after a meal.
• Raise the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches by putting blocks of wood under the bedposts--just using extra pillows will not help.

Medications
There are many medications that may be helpful in treating the symptoms of GERD. Medications used to treat the symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation start with antacids and progress through histamine blockers (Tagamet and Zantac) to protein pump inhibitors (Prevacid and Nexium). Each medication is effective in neutralizing, reducing, and eliminating acid production to various degrees. If the medicine controls GERD and you are able to discontinue use of drugs, that's great. However, if your symptoms are not relieved you may need to consider other options. What your doctor may recommend will depend on how long you have had the problem and how severe your symptoms are.

Different types of medications may be used and doctors often recommend different combinations of several medications to achieve satisfactory control of symptoms.

Antacids are one type of medication often recommended or prescribed to treat GERD. Common examples include Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepto-Bismol, Rolaids, Riopan, Tums, Titralic, and Alka-2. Long-term use of these products, however, may cause diarrhea or constipation. In addition, medication may mask other disease processes, most significantly, Barrett's Esophagus.

Surgery
Surgery is an option when medicine and lifestyle changes do not work. Additionally, many people may consider surgery to be a desirable alternative to other types of therapy. You may be considered for surgical treatment after trials on medication and through evaluation. Surgical criteria include:

• Persistent symptoms on medication
• Medication dependency
• Active regurgitation
• Hiatal hernia
• Pulmonary complications
• Strictures requiring dilation
• Dental disease
• Anemia
• Barrett's Esophagus

Click here to learn more about the surgical treatment of GERD.