Treatment

Determining which treatment options to pursue depends upon the severity of the disease.

Lifestyle changes are always encouraged and should be implemented no matter the severity to help prevent disease progression and alleviate symptoms. Some of these include losing weight if indicated, limit use of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc…as these are harmful to the GI tract), limit alcohol intake, and eat small portions throughout the day rather than a few large meals.  

Medications are commonly used to treat the symptoms of heart burn. Unfortunately these do not cure the disease, but rather make it more comfortable to live with. The most popular and accessible of these are antacids, such as Tums. Antacids provide short term relief after meals. The two classes of drugs which are most commonly prescribed for long term treatment are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and Histamine-2 receptor blockers (H2 blockers). These both work to limit the amount of acid present in the stomach. Each function in a different location within the acid production pathway in the body, but the goal is to reduce the amount produced and secreted into the stomach.  Common side effects of these drugs are diarrhea or constipation, nausea, and headaches.

If the disease has become severe and lifestyle changes are not sufficient, anti-reflux surgery may be an option. The procedure is called fundoplication. If a hiatal hernia is present, the surgeon will resolve this issue by moving the bulging stomach portion back into place and stitching the hiatus (opening in the diaphragm muscle) to make the opening smaller in hopes to prevent the recurrence of a hernia. Part two involves stitching the upper portion of the stomach to the bottom of the esophagus. This technique places pressure on the esophagus in a way that prevents the reflux of contents.

References:

1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. (2015, April 9). Retrieved May 6 , 2015, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000265.htm