Acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD), occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (or valve to the stomach) doesn’t open and close properly. An faulty lower esophageal sphincter (or LES) will trigger the overproduction of stomach acids into the esophagus (heartburn). The presence of a stomach abnormality (or hiatal hernia) can also cause the LES to continually allow stomach acid up into the esophagus. This triggers the painful yet well known symptoms of heartburn—including burping, nausea, hiccups, bloating, sore throat, and burning food regurgitation.

Acid reflux is typically diagnosed when GERD symptoms occur more than twice a week. Of course, acid reflux can be exacerbated if patients:

• Are overweight
• Suffer from Dysphagia (narrowing esophagus)
• Smoke
• Eat acidic inducing foods (i.e., onions, fatty foods, garlic, chocolate, tomatoes, citrus)
• Lie down following meals
• Tend to overeat
• Snack right before bedtime
• During pregnancy
• Regularly take muscle relaxers, blood pressure medications, aspirin, or ibuprofen
• Drink gassy beverages (i.e., beer, carbonated drinks, coffee)

In many cases, doctors will recommend a combination of lifestyle changes combined with over-the-counter medications to treat GERD:

1. Lifestyle changes

Many patients with acid reflux significantly reduce their symptoms by quitting smoking, eating smaller, frequent meals to prevent heartburn, losing weight, avoiding tight or compressive clothing, and consuming meals at least 3 hours before lying down.

2. Over the counter antacids

Several over the counter remedies can do their part to help reduce acid reflux symptoms. Many health professionals recommend daily use of Riopan, Rolaids, Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, and Mylanta to help neutralize stomach acid and soothe GERD. However, keep in mind that long term antacid use can cause diarrhea or constipation.

3. Prescription medications
For chronic, severe GERD, doctors often prescribe a combination of drugs to reduce stomach acids (i.e., H2 blockers like Zantac), stomach coaters (i.e., foaming agents like Gaviscon), and Proton pump inhibitors, like Prilosec and Nexium).

4. GERD surgery

When over the counter remedies, lifestyle changes, and prescription medications are unable to provide relief from acid reflux, doctors may recommend surgery in extreme cases when GERD is impacting daily life. The common surgeries conducted as a last result on extreme GERD cases include:

• Fundoplication surgery, which creates an artificial valve by making a tiny incision in the abdomen and wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the LES to repair a hiatal hernia.
• LINX surgery, surgically implants a LINX ring around the outside of the lower end of the esophagus to strengthen the LES and block stomach content from regurgitating back up into the esophagus.