Reflux may cause symptoms. Harsh stomach acids can also damage the lining of the esophagus. Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux can be caused by or made worse by pregnancy.

Symptoms can also be caused by certain medicines, such as:. Talk to your health care provider if you think one of your medicines may be causing heartburn. Never change or stop taking a medicine without first talking to your provider. Symptoms may get worse when you bend over or lie down, or after you eat.

Symptoms may also be worse at night. If your symptoms are severe or they come back after you have been treated, your provider may recommend a test called an upper endoscopy EGD.

A positive stool occult blood test may diagnose bleeding that is coming from the irritation in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. You can make many lifestyle changes to help treat your symptoms.

You may use over-the-counter antacids after meals and at bedtime, although the relief may not last very long. Common side effects of antacids include diarrhea or constipation. Other over-the-counter and prescription medicines can treat GERD.

They work more slowly than antacids, but give you longer relief. Your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse can tell you how to take these medicines. Anti-reflux surgery may be an option for people whose symptoms do not go away with lifestyle changes and medicines.

Heartburn and other symptoms should improve after surgery. But you may still need to take medicines for your heartburn. There are also new therapies for reflux that can be performed through an endoscope a flexible tube passed through the mouth into the stomach.

Most people respond to lifestyle changes and medicines. However, many people need to continue taking medicines to control their symptoms. Avoiding factors that cause heartburn may help prevent symptoms.

Obesity is linked to GERD. Maintaining a healthy body weight may help prevent the condition. ASGE Standards of Practice Committee, Muthusamy VR, Lightdale JR, et al. The role of endoscopy in the management of GERD. Gastrointest Endosc. PMID: pubmed. Falk GW, Katzka DA.

Diseases of the esophagus. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website.

Updated July Accessed February 6, Richter JE, Vaezi MF. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. Reviewed by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.

Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A. Editorial team. Share Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Home Health Library.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease Peptic esophagitis; Reflux esophagitis; GERD; Heartburn - chronic; Dyspepsia - GERD.

Causes When you eat, food passes from the throat to the stomach through the esophagus. The risk factors for reflux include: Use of alcohol possibly Hiatal hernia a condition in which part of the stomach moves above the diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities Obesity Pregnancy Scleroderma Smoking or tobacco use Lying down within 3 hours after eating Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux can be caused by or made worse by pregnancy.

Symptoms can also be caused by certain medicines, such as: Anticholinergics for example, sea sickness medicine Beta-blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease Bronchodilators for asthma or other lung diseases Calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure Dopamine-active drugs for Parkinson disease Progestin for abnormal menstrual bleeding or birth control Sedatives for insomnia or anxiety Theophylline for asthma or other lung diseases Tricyclic antidepressants Talk to your health care provider if you think one of your medicines may be causing heartburn.

In addition to avoiding dietary triggers, our doctors may recommend several lifestyle changes you can make to alleviate GERD symptoms: Avoid lying down for at least two hours after a meal or after drinking acidic beverages, like soda, or other caffeinated beverages.

This can help to prevent stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus. Keep your head elevated while you sleep.

Using an extra pillow or two can also help to prevent reflux. Eat smaller and more frequent meals each day instead of a few large meals. This promotes digestion and can aid in preventing heartburn. Wear loose-fitting clothes to ease pressure on the stomach, which can worsen heartburn and reflux.

Quit smoking. Smoking can increase the production of stomach acid and reduce the function of the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that keeps acid and other stomach content from reentering the esophagus.

Smoking can also decrease the amount of saliva, which neutralizes acid produced by the body. How heartburn and GERD occur Acid reflux occurs when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of your esophagus relaxes at the wrong time, allowing stomach acid to back up into your esophagus.

More Information Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD care at Mayo Clinic GERD: Can certain medications make it worse? Request an appointment.

Email address. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Hiatal hernia Enlarge image Close.

Hiatal hernia A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of your stomach bulges through your diaphragm into your chest cavity. More Information Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD care at Mayo Clinic What causes laryngospasm? By Mayo Clinic Staff. Show references Maret-Ouda J, et al.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: A review. Katz PO, et al. ACG clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. Acid reflux GER and GERD in adults.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed April 13, Kahrilas PJ. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in adults. Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD adult.

Mayo Clinic. Townsend CM Jr, et al. Gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia. In: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice. Elsevier; Feldman M, et al. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management.

Medical management of gastroesophageal reflux in adults. Winter HS. Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents. Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. April 7, Khanna S expert opinion. May 1,

Reflux may cause symptoms. Harsh stomach acids can also damage the lining of the esophagus. Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux can be caused by or made worse by pregnancy.

Symptoms can also be caused by certain medicines, such as:. Talk to your health care provider if you think one of your medicines may be causing heartburn.

Never change or stop taking a medicine without first talking to your provider. Symptoms may get worse when you bend over or lie down, or after you eat. Symptoms may also be worse at night. If your symptoms are severe or they come back after you have been treated, your provider may recommend a test called an upper endoscopy EGD.

A positive stool occult blood test may diagnose bleeding that is coming from the irritation in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. You can make many lifestyle changes to help treat your symptoms.

You may use over-the-counter antacids after meals and at bedtime, although the relief may not last very long. Common side effects of antacids include diarrhea or constipation.

Other over-the-counter and prescription medicines can treat GERD. They work more slowly than antacids, but give you longer relief. Your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse can tell you how to take these medicines.

Anti-reflux surgery may be an option for people whose symptoms do not go away with lifestyle changes and medicines. Heartburn and other symptoms should improve after surgery. But you may still need to take medicines for your heartburn.

There are also new therapies for reflux that can be performed through an endoscope a flexible tube passed through the mouth into the stomach. Most people respond to lifestyle changes and medicines. However, many people need to continue taking medicines to control their symptoms.

Avoiding factors that cause heartburn may help prevent symptoms. Obesity is linked to GERD. Maintaining a healthy body weight may help prevent the condition.

ASGE Standards of Practice Committee, Muthusamy VR, Lightdale JR, et al. The role of endoscopy in the management of GERD. Gastrointest Endosc. PMID: pubmed. Falk GW, Katzka DA. Diseases of the esophagus. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds.

Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Updated July Accessed February 6, Richter JE, Vaezi MF. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds.

Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. Reviewed by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.

Editorial team. Share Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Home Health Library. Gastroesophageal reflux disease Peptic esophagitis; Reflux esophagitis; GERD; Heartburn - chronic; Dyspepsia - GERD. Causes When you eat, food passes from the throat to the stomach through the esophagus.

The risk factors for reflux include: Use of alcohol possibly Hiatal hernia a condition in which part of the stomach moves above the diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities Obesity Pregnancy Scleroderma Smoking or tobacco use Lying down within 3 hours after eating Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux can be caused by or made worse by pregnancy.

Symptoms can also be caused by certain medicines, such as: Anticholinergics for example, sea sickness medicine Beta-blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease Bronchodilators for asthma or other lung diseases Calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure Dopamine-active drugs for Parkinson disease Progestin for abnormal menstrual bleeding or birth control Sedatives for insomnia or anxiety Theophylline for asthma or other lung diseases Tricyclic antidepressants Talk to your health care provider if you think one of your medicines may be causing heartburn.

Moderate to severe symptoms — People with more severe or frequent symptoms, complications related to GERD, or mild symptoms that have not responded to the above medications see 'Mild symptoms' above usually require treatment with a medication called a proton pump inhibitor PPI.

Lifestyle changes can help as well. See 'Lifestyle changes' above. Proton pump inhibitors — PPIs are the most effective medications for reducing stomach acid. They include dexlansoprazole brand name: Dexilant , esomeprazole brand name: Nexium , lansoprazole brand name: Prevacid , omeprazole brand name: Prilosec , pantoprazole brand name: Protonix , and rabeprazole brand name: AcipHex.

Some PPIs are available over-the-counter, although higher doses may require a prescription. Once your health care provider determines the optimal dose and type of PPI for you, you will probably continue taking it for at least eight weeks. More prolonged treatment depends on whether and when symptoms return after cessation:.

Your provider will also likely recommend an upper endoscopy if you haven't already had one to rule out other problems. The goal is to take the lowest effective dose of medication that controls symptoms and prevents complications. PPIs are safe, although they may be expensive, especially if taken for a long period of time.

Long-term risks of PPIs may include an increased risk of certain gut infections or reduced absorption of minerals and nutrients. In general, these risks are small. However, even a small risk emphasizes the need to take the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.

If symptoms do not improve — Some people do not experience complete symptom resolution with PPI treatment. Doctors call this "refractory" GERD or refractory GERD-like symptoms.

If you continue to have bothersome symptoms after a course of PPI treatment, your provider may recommend one or more of the following:. Treatment of GERD during pregnancy — Treatment of GERD during pregnancy begins with lifestyle changes see 'Lifestyle changes' above.

If this does not relieve symptoms, your health care provider may suggest antacids or alginates. If the above measures are not effective, your provider might recommend a histamine antagonist followed by a PPI if necessary. Although both classes of medication are safe during pregnancy, the general strategy is to avoid all medications during pregnancy if possible.

See 'Histamine receptor antagonists' above and 'Proton pump inhibitors' above. Surgical treatment — Because lifestyle changes and medications are very effective in controlling symptoms in most cases, there is a limited role for surgical treatment of GERD.

However, it may be an option for certain people whose symptoms are not adequately controlled with other treatments, or who cannot or do not wish to comply with a medication regimen.

In general, "antireflux" surgery involves repairing a hiatal hernia if present and strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter. The most common surgical procedure is called laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

This procedure involves wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the lower end of the esophagus figure 3. Following Nissen fundoplication, most people experience symptoms including difficulty swallowing and feeling bloated called the "gas bloat syndrome".

These symptoms may resolve over time but can persist. There are other risks associated with surgery as well. Despite this, most people say they are satisfied with the results of the surgery in the long term. There are other surgical procedures sometimes used to treat GERD as well, including less invasive options.

Your health care provider is the best source of information for questions and concerns related to your medical problem. This article will be updated as needed on our website www. Related topics for patients, as well as selected articles written for healthcare professionals, are also available.

Some of the most relevant are listed below. Patient level information — UpToDate offers two types of patient education materials.

The Basics — The Basics patient education pieces answer the four or five key questions a patient might have about a given condition. These articles are best for patients who want a general overview and who prefer short, easy-to-read materials. Patient education: Acid reflux and GERD in adults The Basics Patient education: Acid reflux and GERD in children and teens The Basics Patient education: Acid reflux and GERD during pregnancy The Basics Patient education: Spitting up and GERD in babies The Basics Patient education: Upper endoscopy The Basics Patient education: Peptic ulcers The Basics Patient education: Hiatal hernia The Basics Patient education: Barrett's esophagus The Basics Patient education: Achalasia The Basics Patient education: Hiccups The Basics Patient education: Cough in adults The Basics Patient education: Esophageal stricture The Basics Patient education: Esophagitis The Basics Patient education: Eosinophilic esophagitis The Basics Patient education: Bronchiectasis in adults The Basics.

Beyond the Basics — Beyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated, and more detailed. These articles are best for patients who want in-depth information and are comfortable with some medical jargon. Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents Beyond the Basics Patient education: Acid reflux gastroesophageal reflux in babies Beyond the Basics Patient education: Chest pain Beyond the Basics Patient education: Upper endoscopy Beyond the Basics Patient education: Barrett's esophagus Beyond the Basics Patient education: Losing weight Beyond the Basics Patient education: Quitting smoking Beyond the Basics Patient education: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea caused by Clostridioides difficile Beyond the Basics.

Professional level information — Professional level articles are designed to keep doctors and other health professionals up-to-date on the latest medical findings. These articles are thorough, long, and complex, and they contain multiple references to the research on which they are based.

Professional level articles are best for people who are comfortable with a lot of medical terminology and who want to read the same materials their doctors are reading.

Approach to refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults Non-acid reflux: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in adults Complications of gastroesophageal reflux in adults Gastroesophageal reflux and asthma Helicobacter pylori and gastroesophageal reflux disease Laryngopharyngeal reflux in adults: Evaluation, diagnosis, and management Medical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults Proton pump inhibitors: Overview of use and adverse effects in the treatment of acid related disorders Pathophysiology of reflux esophagitis Surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in adults.

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View Topic. Font Size Small Normal Large. Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults Beyond the Basics. Formulary drug information for this topic.

No drug references linked in this topic. Find in topic Formulary Print Share. These can increase your chances of quitting for good. If you have GERD symptoms at night, raise the head of your bed 15 to 20 centimetres 6 to 8 inches by putting the frame on blocks or placing a foam wedge under the head of your mattress.

Adding extra pillows does not work. Do not wear tight clothing around your middle. Lose weight if you need to. Losing just 2. How are medicines used to treat GERD? Medicines can: Relieve symptoms heartburn , sour taste, or pain. Allow the esophagus to heal.

Prevent problems caused by GERD. You may take: Antacids. These include Gaviscon and Tums. Antacids neutralize stomach acid and relieve heartburn.

If you want to take medicine only when your symptoms bother you, antacids are a good choice. Acid reducers, such as: H2 blockers. These include cimetidine and famotidine Pepcid. H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid in the stomach.

Most are sold in both over-the-counter and prescription strength. These include lansoprazole Prevacid and omeprazole Losec. PPIs reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. Some are available over-the-counter.

How is surgery used to treat it? It may be done in one of two ways. A partial fundoplication. With this, the stomach is wrapped only partway around the esophagus.

A full fundoplication. With this, the stomach is wrapped all the way around the esophagus. Related Information Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease GERD. Credits Current as of: March 22, Current as of: March 22,

So, when food and stomach acid regurgitate back into the esophagus, a burning feeling is felt near the heart. This feeling is known as heartburn. Antacids may be used to relieve heartburn by making stomach juices less acidic, thereby reducing the burning feeling felt in the esophagus.

If heartburn becomes frequent or prolonged, medical intervention may be necessary to correct the problem. A band of muscle fibers, the lower esophageal sphincter, closes off the esophagus from the stomach. If the sphincter does not close properly, food and liquid can move backward into the esophagus and cause heartburn and other symptoms known as gastroesophageal disease GERD.

To alleviate symptoms dietary changes and medications are prescribed. For a patient who has persistent symptoms despite medical treatment, an anti-reflux operation may be an option. The esophagus is a narrow, muscular tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach.

The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach. A sphincter at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach prevents reflux of food and acid from the stomach into the esophagus. You've just finished eating a double chili dog, when it hits. That burning, belching feeling, like your dinner has taken a detour back up your throat.

You've got heartburn, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, for short. When heartburn becomes a frequent, unwelcome visitor and you're tired of taking medicine to treat it, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Normally when you eat, food passes down this tube, called the esophagus. It crosses your diaphragm and enters your stomach through a hole. Sometimes the muscles where your esophagus and stomach meet don't close tightly enough, and this weakness allows acids from your stomach to back up into your esophagus, causing heartburn.

The hole in your diaphragm may also be too big, letting part of your stomach slip into an opening in your chest. That's called a hiatal hernia, and it can make your heartburn symptoms even worse.

If you don't want to take heartburn medicine anymore, or if you're dealing with complications like ulcers or bleeding in your esophagus, your doctor may recommend surgery to fix your hiatal hernia. Usually the surgery you'll have is called fundoplication.

Fundoplication is done while you're under general anesthesia, which means that you'll be asleep and you won't feel any pain. Before your surgery, your doctor will ask you to stop taking drugs like aspirin or warfarin, which makes it harder for your blood to clot.

Also, you shouldn't eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. If you have open surgery, the surgeon will make one large cut in your belly area. With laparoscopic surgery, there are more cuts, but they're much smaller.

The surgeon will use a thin tube with a camera attached to see through these tiny holes and perform the surgery. A newer form of the procedure passes a special camera down your mouth into your esophagus.

Whatever way the surgery is done, the goal is to close your hiatal hernia with stitches and tighten the opening in your diaphragm to keep your stomach from poking through. The surgeon will also wrap the upper part of your stomach around the end of your esophagus so that acids from your stomach can't back up into your esophagus.

Just like any procedure, hiatal hernia surgery can have risks. You might have bleeding, an infection, breathing problems, bloating, or pain when you swallow. Call your doctor for any symptoms that bother you or don't go away.

Expect to stay in the hospital for about 4 to 6 days, and then spend a month to 6 weeks recovering at home with the open surgical procedure.

Laparoscopic surgery will shorten your hospital stay to 1 to 3 days, and you'll be back on your feet and at work in just 2 to 3 weeks. Anti-reflux surgery is safe, and it works. After your surgery, you should have fewer problems with heartburn.

But if that burning feeling creeps back up again, you might need to have a repeat surgery. To avoid another procedure, take your heartburn medicine if you need it. Oh, and take it easy on those chili dogs! When you eat, food passes from the throat to the stomach through the esophagus.

A ring of muscle fibers in the lower esophagus prevents swallowed food from moving back up. These muscle fibers are called the lower esophageal sphincter LES. When this ring of muscle does not close all the way, stomach contents can leak back into the esophagus.

This is called reflux or gastroesophageal reflux. Reflux may cause symptoms. Harsh stomach acids can also damage the lining of the esophagus. Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux can be caused by or made worse by pregnancy. Symptoms can also be caused by certain medicines, such as:.

Talk to your health care provider if you think one of your medicines may be causing heartburn. Never change or stop taking a medicine without first talking to your provider.

Symptoms may get worse when you bend over or lie down, or after you eat. Symptoms may also be worse at night. If your symptoms are severe or they come back after you have been treated, your provider may recommend a test called an upper endoscopy EGD.

A positive stool occult blood test may diagnose bleeding that is coming from the irritation in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. You can make many lifestyle changes to help treat your symptoms. You may use over-the-counter antacids after meals and at bedtime, although the relief may not last very long.

Common side effects of antacids include diarrhea or constipation. Other over-the-counter and prescription medicines can treat GERD. They work more slowly than antacids, but give you longer relief. Your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse can tell you how to take these medicines.

Anti-reflux surgery may be an option for people whose symptoms do not go away with lifestyle changes and medicines. Heartburn and other symptoms should improve after surgery.

But you may still need to take medicines for your heartburn. There are also new therapies for reflux that can be performed through an endoscope a flexible tube passed through the mouth into the stomach. Most people respond to lifestyle changes and medicines.

However, many people need to continue taking medicines to control their symptoms. Avoiding factors that cause heartburn may help prevent symptoms. Obesity is linked to GERD. Maintaining a healthy body weight may help prevent the condition. ASGE Standards of Practice Committee, Muthusamy VR, Lightdale JR, et al.

The role of endoscopy in the management of GERD. Gastrointest Endosc. PMID: pubmed. Falk GW, Katzka DA. Diseases of the esophagus. NYU Langone doctors often recommend making dietary and other lifestyle changes to reduce reflux and prevent damage to the esophagus caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD.

For some people with mild GERD symptoms, lifestyle changes alone may eliminate discomfort. The first step in reducing GERD is often to limit foods that set off reflux. Your doctor may advise that you eliminate some or all of these foods or keep a food diary to pinpoint which foods trigger GERD symptoms.

In addition to avoiding dietary triggers, our doctors may recommend several lifestyle changes you can make to alleviate GERD symptoms:. We can help you find a doctor. Call or browse our specialists. If you need help accessing our website, call Skip to main content. Lifestyle Changes for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Schedule an Appointment Browse our specialists and get the care you need. Dietary Changes The first step in reducing GERD is often to limit foods that set off reflux.

In addition to avoiding dietary triggers, our doctors may recommend several lifestyle changes you can make to alleviate GERD symptoms: Avoid lying down for at least two hours after a meal or after drinking acidic beverages, like soda, or other caffeinated beverages. This can help to prevent stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus.

Keep your head elevated while you sleep.

The site also provides dietary tips on foods to avoid and other ways to reduce triggers. Her blog covers topics from meditation to healthy eating, including her personal experience with GERD and gut inflammation. Additional reporting by Mark Henricks. Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy.

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Your doctor may also use these names for GERD: Acid indigestion Acid reflux Acid regurgitation Heartburn Reflux GERD can interfere with daily living, but most people can get relief from it through lifestyle changes including diet, home remedies, and medical treatment.

What are the main causes of GERD? Risk factors for GERD include being pregnant, being overweight, smoking, drinking alcohol, drinking caffeinated or carbonated drinks, eating large meals, eating before going to bed, lying flat after eating, taking certain medications, and eating certain foods, such as spicy or fried foods, chocolate, citrus fruits, onions, peppermint, or tomatoes.

Is GERD a serious health problem? GERD is a chronic condition characterized by frequent episodes of acid reflux. If left untreated, GERD can cause inflammation, ulcers, and precancerous changes in your esophagus. How do you get rid of GERD? Lifestyle changes to treat GERD include eliminating or avoiding certain foods, eating smaller meals, and not lying down within a couple of hours after eating.

Over-the-counter drugs range from antacids, which offer quick but mild relief, to proton pump inhibitors, which effectively suppress stomach acid and help heal your esophagus. Still, there are some typical telltale signs of GERD. Formal diagnostic tests for GERD include the following: Upper Endoscopy This is a test in which your doctor inserts a thin tube with an attached light and camera down your throat.

This allows for an examination of your esophagus and stomach to detect inflammation or any other complications. Esophageal pH and Impedance Monitoring This test measures the amount of acid in your esophagus while you carry out your normal daily activities like eating and sleeping.

Your doctor will perform the procedure, which involves inserting a thin tube through your nose or mouth into your stomach, at a hospital or outpatient center.

The tube is pulled back into your esophagus and taped to the outside of your cheek. The monitor is worn for 24 hours, and your doctor will ask you to keep a diary of when, what, and how much you eat to see if there are any patterns connected to your symptoms.

Bravo Wireless Esophageal pH Monitoring This test also measures the pH in your esophagus during your everyday life to determine if you have GERD.

The test usually lasts 48 to 96 hours, and the capsule will pass through your digestive tract in a few days. Esophageal Manometry This procedure measures the muscle contractions in your esophagus when you swallow. It can show your doctor if your symptoms are due to a weak sphincter muscle.

Upper Digestive System X-Ray Taken after you drink a chalky liquid, this procedure will allow your doctor to see a silhouette of your esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine. You may also be asked to swallow a barium pill to check for a narrowing of the esophagus or other conditions like hiatal hernias or ulcers.

Your doctor may recommend a number of different treatments for GERD. Medication Options A number of over-the-counter OTC drugs are available to treat GERD and its symptoms: Antacids These neutralize stomach acid and offer quick but mild relief. Overuse of antacids can cause side effects, including diarrhea and kidney problems.

HReceptor Blockers These reduce acid production and provide longer relief than antacids, though they may not work as quickly.

They may reduce acid production from the stomach for up to 12 hours. Proton Pump Inhibitors Called PPIs, they also suppress stomach acid and have been most closely associated with healing inflammation of the esophagus caused by reflux.

Surgical procedures to treat GERD include these options: Fundoplication In this minimally invasive procedure, a surgeon sews the top of the stomach around the esophagus. This adds pressure to the lower end of the esophagus to prevent reflux. LINX Device Another minimally invasive procedure, this involves a ring of tiny magnetic beads that is wrapped around the area where the stomach and esophagus meet.

The magnetic attraction among the beads is strong enough to prevent reflux but weak enough to allow food to pass. Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication TIF In this newer procedure, the lower esophagus is tightened via a nonsurgical approach.

Also known as a peptic stricture, this condition can cause problems with swallowing. GERD Versus Heart Attacks The chest pain that comes with both heartburn and a heart attack can sometimes feel similar, and it may be difficult to distinguish between the two.

Organizations for Essential GERD Information About GERD The official website for the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, About GERD is a nonprofit patient support organization that offers a wealth of resources for people living with functional gastrointestinal GI and motility disorders.

American Gastroenterological Association This organization provides information for doctors, researchers, patient educators, and patients on GI disorders, including GERD. American College of Gastroenterology The American College of Gastroenterology is a professional association of gastroenterologists and GI professionals.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases This institute is a division of the National Institutes of Health and is funded by the federal government to research treatments for many diseases, including GERD. Lifestyle Guidelines for the Treatment of GERD Cleveland Clinic This resource indicates foods to avoid, as well as choices from certain categories less likely to produce symptoms.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has a great page illustrating how GERD occurs to help you better understand the condition. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking.

Resources Definition and Facts for GER and GERD. July Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease GERD : Symptoms and Causes. January 4, Acid Reflux and GERD. September 28, Deleted, December 14, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease GERD : Diagnosis and Treatment.

January 19, Overview: Symptoms of GERD. What causes GERD? How can you care for yourself when you have it? Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor or nurse advice line if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medicine.

For mild or occasional indigestion, antacids, such as Tums or Gaviscon, may help. Your doctor also may recommend over-the-counter acid reducers, such as famotidine Pepcid AC or omeprazole.

Read and follow all instructions on the label. If you use these medicines often, talk with your doctor. Change your eating habits. It's best to eat several small meals instead of two or three large meals.

After you eat, wait 2 to 3 hours before you lie down. Avoid foods that make your symptoms worse. These may include chocolate, mint, alcohol, pepper, spicy foods, high-fat foods, or drinks with caffeine in them, such as tea, coffee, colas, or energy drinks.

If your symptoms are worse after you eat a certain food, you may want to stop eating it to see if your symptoms get better. Do not smoke or chew tobacco. Smoking can make GERD worse.

If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good. If you have GERD symptoms at night, raise the head of your bed 15 to 20 centimetres 6 to 8 inches by putting the frame on blocks or placing a foam wedge under the head of your mattress.

Adding extra pillows does not work. Do not wear tight clothing around your middle. Lose weight if you need to. Losing just 2. How are medicines used to treat GERD? Medicines can: Relieve symptoms heartburn , sour taste, or pain.

Allow the esophagus to heal. Prevent problems caused by GERD. You may take: Antacids. These include Gaviscon and Tums. Antacids neutralize stomach acid and relieve heartburn. If you want to take medicine only when your symptoms bother you, antacids are a good choice.

Acid reducers, such as: H2 blockers. These include cimetidine and famotidine Pepcid. H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. Most are sold in both over-the-counter and prescription strength.

These include lansoprazole Prevacid and omeprazole Losec. PPIs reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. Some are available over-the-counter.

How is surgery used to treat it? It may be done in one of two ways. A partial fundoplication. With this, the stomach is wrapped only partway around the esophagus. A full fundoplication. With this, the stomach is wrapped all the way around the esophagus.