GERD: What You Can Expect for a Successful Treatment

The methods used for GERD treatment are usually on a trial and error basis. However, the treatments generally all start the same. For example, you will need to lose any extra weight, try to control GERD through diet and possibly medications and the last course of treatment is usually surgery.

Losing weight is very important in controlling GERD. Your doctor will likely suggest a well balanced GERD safe diet plan for you to follow. Incorporate a light to moderate exercise routine and you should be losing weight in no time. Shortly after losing weight you should begin to feel less symptoms of GERD.

When a person is overweight they often experience GERD because there is unnecessary and excessive pressure on the internal organs in the stomach area. This forces the gasses and acids back up into the throat and mouth.

The next treatment is usually medications. These can be over the counter or prescribed by your medical care provider. It is more common for the doctor to first suggest an over the counter treatment for GERD symptoms. For example, Rolaids or Tums might be suggested as a first course of treatment.

In the event the over the counter medications do not work or a re necessary more frequently than is safe the doctor might feel it is best to place you on a prescription medication. There are acid reducers, acid eliminators and acid neutralizers that might be prescribed.

Your medical care provider will take into consideration any other medications you are taking. This includes all over the counter as well as prescription medications.

Be sure that you fully disclose all medicines you are currently taking and also any medications you have had a reaction to in the past. This will assist your doctor in determining the best medication to prescribe you for your GERD treatment.

Generally, surgery is only considered if the rest of the possible treatments are unsuccessful. However, if a proper diagnosis and treatment was not done early enough it is likely surgery will be performed instead of trying the other GERD treatments.

In the event surgery is deemed a necessary course of action, your doctor will walk you through the entire process. You should have a full understanding of what to expect both during the procedure as well as after the procedure has been completed. Be sure to ask any and all questions before you agree to have the surgery done.