What are different treatments for GERD?
Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that causes the stomach content to be repeated back to the esophagus, causing chronic pain in most patients. GERD can be treated by different methods and should be diagnosed and monitored by a doctor. GERD treatment can be selected based on the severity of the condition and includes prescription drugs, diet and lifestyle changes and in extreme cases surgery.
GERD is a chronic health condition. Once the patient is diagnosed with GERD, it will probably have it forever; The treatment is designed to handle symptoms. The combination of drug changes and lifestyle releases symptoms in most patients.
After initial diagnosis, GERD treatment often includes changes in the patient's diet and lifestyle. Removal of caffeine, avoiding sour foods and weight loss will help reduce the symptoms of GERD. Other lifestyle -related treatments include how much food is consumed and how food is consumed quickly. DoctorThey often recommend changes in sleep or rest positions to reduce the amount of reflux.
If the patient is unable or reluctant to make lifestyle changes, or if the changes do not consider symptoms, additional GERD treatment can be used. Prescription drugs can help by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach or neutralizing acid, so it does not cause pain. The drugs are usually not effective for GERD over the counter; Most suffering require stronger medicines available only for prescription.
GERD treatment that operates by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach is called H2 blockers. These work well for about half of the patients for whom they are prescribed and have minimal reported side effects. Other medical treatments for GERD are proton pump inhibitors (PPI), which work almost 90% of patients who use them. PPI works by limiting the abilities of the stomach excretionVat acid. Both types of medical treatments for GERD must be used continuously to be effective; He does not cure Gerd, but controls symptoms.
In extreme cases, GERD may be required surgical repair. Surgery is used when medical treatment no longer works when the esophagus was seriously eroded with acid or if the patient is unable to take medication for this condition. Surgical procedures for GERD are considered the last option and sometimes cause undesirable side effects. H2BLOCKERS or PPI may still be necessary after surgery.