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How can I treat acid reflux?

PPI's proton pump inhibitors (nexium and prilosec and aciphex and protonix) are the most helpful medicines for this problem, but when they're not giving enough relief in a few weeks, I find that adding an antacid at maximal dose (H2 blocker such as tagamet, zantac, pepcid) at night helps with nighttime symptoms since the PPI has worn off by then. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prilosec (omeprazole) are stronger than H2 blockers such as Zantac HB (ranitidine), Pepcid AC (famotidine), and Tagamet HB (cimetidine). The reason is that PPIs prevent the top of the stomach (antrum) from producing the acid. H2 blockers only prevent the hormonal receptors from receiving the instructions to produce more acid, which is less effective. Both PPIs and H2 blockers can be taken at the same time. If these over the counter medicines are needed for more than 2 weeks, go see your doctor.

Prop the head of the bed up so you sleep on an incline. Not eating/drinking in the evening helps. Eating larger meals earlier in the day helps. Waiting on drinking fluids until after eating helps (the food absorbs the acid in your stomach). Eating smaller meals more frequently helps.

Behavior change can also help decrease these symptoms. Cut out alcohol, caffeine, laying down after eating. Eating largest meals early in the day allows for digestion while one is up and around. Eat less at one time, since smaller food boluses in one's stomach are less likely to regurgitate to the esophagus. Don't snack at night.

Lose weight, eat smaller meals, increase exercise earlier in the day to use up excess calories.

The great thing about acid reflux is that you can do something about it. If it's not getting better, it's worth seeking a doctor's visit for to rule out more serious problems such as an ulcer, or very rarely, cancer.

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