How Are Heartburn and GERD Treated?
Doctors usually recommend trying lifestyle and dietary changes to treat both of these disorders. Avoiding certain foods and beverages such as citrus drinks, tomato products, peppermint, chocolate, fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods often helps. Also decreasing the amount you’re eating or eating several hours before bedtime, dieting if you’re overweight, getting more exercise, elevating the head of the bed 6-8 inches and quitting smoking also help many people. Over-the-counter medications, such as antacids brings some relief if not used long-term or abused. Doctors also prescribe other medications including H2 blocks to reduce acid secretions in the stomach, an acid pump to inhibit an acid-producing enzyme and motility drugs that quicken the emptying of the stomach after eating or drinking.
