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Acid reflux treatment

 

Acid Reflux Treatment

 

Treatment for Acid Reflux Disease
• General measures the patient can take to reduce reflux are:
• Eat smaller and more frequent meals.
• Avoid eating before going to bed.
• Eliminate excessive bending, lifting, abdominal exercises, girdles and tight belts, all of which increase abdominal pressure and provoke reflux.
• If overweight, lose weight. Being overweight promotes reflux.
• Eliminate the use of nicotine (cigarettes), fatty foods, alcohol, all coffees (yes-including decaf), chocolate and peppermint.
• Elevate the head of the bed 8" to 10" by placing pillows or a wedge under the upper part of the mattress. In this way, gravity keeps stomach juices out of the esophagus while the patient sleeps. It is not enough to use two pillows under the head.
• Prescription medications - check with the physician regarding side effects of prescription drugs. Some drugs actually lower the strength of the LES muscle. These include anti-spasmotics (Levsin, Librax, Bentyl), calcium channel blocks (Procardia, Cardizem, Calan, Isoptin), anti-depressants (Elavil, Doxepia) and others.
Acid reflux occurs often in normal infants. One of the most common symptoms is spitting up. More than half of all babies, referred to as "happy spitters," experience reflux in the first 3 months of life. For a small number of infants, however, acid reflux symptoms are severe or continue past the age of 3 months, and need to be treated by a physcian. If you think your baby has infant reflux

 

For Acid Reflux Repair
Endoscopic Suturing Non-Invasive, Out-Patient Solution For GERD

  • Other Acid Reflux Treatments include:
    Antacids- These can and should be used more often. Generally, antacids should be taken 30 to 60 minutes after eating and at bedtime. Liquids are preferred to tablets, with the strongest being Maalox II, Mylanta II, Gelusil II and Extra Strength Riopan.
  • Alginic Acid and Antacids- Two products, Gaviscon and Algicon, place a layer of foam over the fluid in the stomach to prevent reflux. These tablets should be chewed well and used 30 to 60 minutes after eating and at bedtime.
  • Acid Reflux Medications- Medicines are now available that effectively reduces and even eliminates the secretion of stomach acid and increases the strength of the LES muscle. These medicines represent the most important method of treating reflux next to surgical or futuristic nonsurgical methods of correcting reflux. Other medications such as Reglan ( generic- metoclopramide), and Urecholine (generic- bethanecol) directly increase the strength of the LES muscle. Unfortunately, these drugs have certain adverse side effects and are not always helpful. Propulsid (generic- Cisapride) has been taken off the market due to it's cardiac side effects.
  • Endoscopic Surgery- Surgery can treat reflux. Those patients who are dependent on acid lowering agents may entertain an antireflux procedure. There are few patients who do not repsond to medical therapy and benefit from antireflux prcedures. Generally, however, a failure of medical therapy is not an indiction for surgery. Prior to any corrective procedure, a patient must undergo an extensive evaluation. The objective of this surgery is to strengthen the LES muscle. Successful surgery greatly relieves and can correct severe reflux and heartburn. A method of performing anti-reflux surgery is by laparoscopic technique whereby the surgery is accomplished through tiny holes in the belly button and upper abdomen. Recovery is quicker with this technique. However, the procedure is still an invasive surgery which has certain inherent risks and potential complications, and requires the use of general anesthesia. This operation should only be performed by qualified surgeons thoroughly familiar with it.

    Heartburn occurs so commonly that it is normal for everyone to experience it sometime. However, when heartburn is persistent, it needs to be evaluated, and long-term follow up care is often required. Heartburn occurring two times weekly or more warrants a medical evaluation.

    Medical treatment for acid reflux along with lifestyle changes are usually very effective and can prevent complications. For those patients requiring chronic medical therapy, an antireflux procedure, such as endoscopic fundoplication, offers a viable and usually successful alternative for treating acid reflux disease.