Treatments For Acid Reflux

If you are suffering from acid reflux, there are several treatment options. Some of these options are lifestyle changes and Impedance testing. Impedance testing is a non-invasive procedure that measures the electrical resistance of the esophagus. Lifestyle changes can help prevent the occurrence of acid reflux and improve your digestive health.

Symptoms of acid reflux

If you’ve been suffering from heartburn, acid reflux may be the cause. This disease causes stomach acid to reflux back into the esophagus and cause a burning sensation in the chest. Symptoms can range from a tingling or burning sensation to a full-blown attack. For the most part, acid reflux symptoms are not severe, but they can be uncomfortable.

Fortunately, several lifestyle changes can help relieve your symptoms. For example, a diet low in fat, high in fiber, and low in alcoholic drinks can help reduce your symptoms. Likewise, you should avoid foods that may relax the sphincter, allowing more acid to reflux.

Treatment options

Over-the-counter medications such as antacids and H2 blockers can help relieve symptoms. These drugs suppress acid production by blocking the H2 receptors in the stomach. However, in severe cases, surgery may be recommended. Symptoms of acid reflux can range from a mild annoyance to a chronic condition.

Medications to reduce the acid in the stomach are the most common treatment for GERD. The most effective of these include drugs such as omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and esomeprazole (Nexium). These medicines can be purchased over the counter, but higher doses require a prescription.

Lifestyle changes

Many lifestyle changes can help alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux. Some doctors have been dismissive of lifestyle modifications. Still, studies have shown that these changes can dramatically reduce the number of acid reflux episodes and prevent the development of more severe conditions like GERD. Lifestyle changes include eating healthier and avoiding overeating. Altering the timing of meals, eating smaller portions, and increasing exercise are all key to reducing the severity of acid reflux.

Eating fewer late-night meals can help alleviate symptoms. Avoiding acidic foods can also help, as can wearing loose clothing. Tight clothing can cause discomfort because it can promote the development of a hiatus hernia and force stomach contents up the esophagus. Lifestyle changes can also help reduce medication use. Nonprescription antacids and histamine receptor antagonists are two medications that can be used to treat mild to moderate acid reflux.

Impedance testing

Impedance testing for acid reflux symptoms is a diagnostic tool that measures the amount of acid in the stomach. This test involves wearing a device called a pH probe through the nose into the esophagus. The device is worn for 24 hours and records the pH and duration of acid exposure in the esophagus. The results are compared with an average reading to diagnose acid reflux. It is considered a “gold standard” for diagnosing the condition.

Several studies have been conducted to determine the average values for impedance-pH monitoring for acid reflux symptoms. For example, in a European study, patients with acid reflux had two-to-three times the mean values compared with those with non-acid reflux. However, the presence of weakly acid reflux and non-acid reflux was rare. As a result, the 95th percentile was considered the upper limit of normal.

Avoiding foods that trigger acid reflux

Certain foods and beverages can trigger acid reflux. Many increase the amount of acid in the stomach and esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation. Fortunately, there are some ways to avoid these foods and beverages. These include limiting your intake of acidic foods and beverages and avoiding carbonated drinks.

First, you should avoid fatty or fried foods, notorious acid reflux triggers. High-fat foods also tend to stay in the stomach longer, causing more acid to be produced. Therefore, you should limit your intake of fried and greasy food, high-fat dairy, and meat.

Diaphragmatic breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing is a technique that helps reduce the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD. This breathing technique helps strengthen the diaphragm, reducing reflux symptoms over time. Moreover, it helps improve QoL in people with GERD or excessive SGB.

Diaphragmatic breathing has been shown to reduce the frequency of postprandial reflux episodes in GERD patients. This is because diaphragmatic breathing helps create a more significant difference between the pressure in the stomach and the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter.