The chronic problem of GERD involves the repeated leaking of stomach liquids or acids into the esophagus. As the contents of the stomach are acidic in nature, this reverse pathway of the acids into the esophagus causes esophageal irritation and heartburn. Though GERD is mostly a result of bad dietary and lifestyle habits, it can be caused by other reasons too. Controlling GERD mostly involves controlling the GERD causing factors such as making some healthy lifestyle and dietary changes, but GERD or acid reflux can also be controlled with some GERD treatment medications as well as some natural remedies.

Given below are some good GERD treatment medicines that have proven to be very effective in preventing an acid reflux into the esophagus.

Prescription Medications for GERD:

There are numerous prescription medications that can be used to treat GERD. Most of these are easily available in the market. GERD treatment medications usually aid in limiting the production of stomach acids, thus relieving the symptoms of acid reflux. Unfortunately, GERD treatment medications are not a long-term solution as they do not permanently treat the underlying causes, therefore dietary and lifestyle restrictions are a must for long terms results. Below are a few medication classes that can be considered as GERD treatment medications:

• Antacids

These are most probably the most popular of GERD treatment remedies. This frequently used medication class contains GERD medications such as Mylanta, Maalox, Tums and Gaviscon. These are taken before meals or immediately as soon as some acid reflux symptoms are felt. These are effective gastric acid neutralizing agents and may be available without a doctor’s precription.

• Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors such Omeprazole, Rabeprazole, Lansoprazole and Esomeprazole, work by reducing the secretion of gastric acids. These GERD medicines are taken once a day and are known to provide immediate relief from acid reflux symptoms such as heartburn.

• Promotility Medications

Promotility medications or promotility agents are nothing but medicines that aid in the faster emptying of the stomach. Promotility agents such as Reglan and Bethanechol not only help with the acid reflux symptoms by emptying the stomach of its contents, but they also help by strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter enough to discourage further acid leaks into the esophagus.

• Gastric H2 Receptor Antagonists

The chemical compound histamine is known to increase acid production in the stomach after a meal. Gastric H2 Receptor Antagonists are antihistamines that prevent this acid secretion and reduce the amount of stomach acids. Some Gastric H2 Receptor Antagonists such as Ranitidine, Famotidine, Cimetidine and Nizatidine are available in both prescription as well as over-the-counter forms.

Apart from medicines, GERD can be treated with several other natural treatments. Some GERD natural remedies are as listed below:

• Dietary changes, such as the exclusion of foods that trigger GERD, helps in the management of GERD. Foods such as onions, spicy foods, coffee, aerated drinks, alcohol, garlic and some fatty foods should be eaten in moderation or completely excluded from the diet if your case is severe. Drinking a lot of water also keeps GERD at bay.
• Lifestyle changes such as exercising, yoga, etc can help your overall body and may indirectly also help with your GERD problems. Taking a walk after a meal also helps speed up digestion and keeps GERD away. People who have chronic GERD issues should avoid smoking and eating right before bedtime.

Herbal remedies as well as home remedies such as using apple cider vinegar, ginger root or aloe vera juice to relieve GERD symptoms also helps manage it and that too without any side effects. Numerous herbal medicines are also available for the management of GERD symptoms in chronic sufferers.

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