GERD Treatment | Acid reflux treatment | Heartburn / GERD symptoms and treatment / How to treat acid reflux at home
0:00 Introduction
0:14 What is GERD?
0:53 What are the symptoms of GERD
1:40 Lifestyle changes for GERD
2:15 Antacids for GERD
3:32 H2 blockers for GERD/ Acid Reflux
4:41 Proton pump inhibitor for GERD
5:42 Prokinetic agents for GERD
6:42 Foam barriers for GERD
7:15 Surgery for GERD
What is Gastroesophageal reflux and disease
Acid reflux happens when content from your stomach move back up Into your esophagus. This action is also called acid regurgitation or gastroesophageal reflux. And having this once in a while is common; but if you are experiencing this more than twice a week/ very often then you might have GERD
Symptoms of GERD
GERD symptoms
The main symptom of GERD is acid reflux. Acid reflux can cause an uncomfortable burning feeling in your chest, which can move up into your neck and throat. This feeling is often known as heartburn.
So If you have acid reflux, you might develop a sour or bitter taste at the back of your mouth. It might also cause the regurgitation of food or liquid from your stomach into your mouth.
Some other symptoms of GERD are:
nausea
chest pain
pain when swallowing
difficulty swallowing
chronic cough
a hoarse voice
bad breath
GERD treatment:
To manage and reduce the symptoms of GERD, your doctor might advise you to make certain lifestyle changes, like:
-maintaining a moderate weight
-quitting smoking,
-avoiding big, heavy meals in the evening
-waiting a few hours after eating to lie down
-Keeping the head elevated during the sleep and not lying down immediately after meal
Medicines to treat acid reflux:
1. Antacids
Antacids have been used for centuries in the treatment of patients with dyspepsia and acid reflux disease. It is typically used for occasional and mild symptoms of acid reflux and GERD.
The principal function of antacid is to reduce gastric acidity. A single dose of antacid taken 1 hour after a meal can effectively neutralise gastric acid for upto 2 hrs.
2. H2 receptor blockers
H2 blockers like cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine and nizatidine suppress acid secretion.
If you are experiencing heartburn or dyspepsia fewer than 3 times per week , then you can take antacids or H2 blockers. H2 blockers are best for night time acid secretion. And they are extremely safe medicines.
3. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
PPIs like Omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole also lower the amount of acid your stomach makes. The best time to take PPIs is approximately 1 hour before meal. Normal recommended dose is once daily. It relieves GERD related symptoms in 85-90% of the patients. In some people twice daily dose might be needed.
4. Prokinetic Agents:
Prokinetics help to strengthen the lower oesophageal sphincter and prevent acid reflux. The most widely studied agents include bethanechol, metoclopramide, domperidone and cisapride.
It is used as a single agent or in combination therapy
5. Foam barriers
Foam barriers are tablets that are composed of an antacid and a foaming agent. As soon as the tablet reaches to the stomach it disintegrates and turns into foam that floats on top of the liquid contents of the stomach. It is a kind of physical barrier which prevents the reflux of liquid.
The tablets are best taken after meals.
Surgery for GERD:
Doctor might recommend surgeries like:
Fundoplication (during which the top of your stomach is sewn around your esophagus), and
Bariatric surgery (usually recommended when a doctor has concluded that your GERD may be exacerbated by too much excess weight).
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