Treatment of Acid Reflux

 People of all ages suffer pain and discomfort of acid reflux. The symptoms of heartburn, sore throat and cough, are all symptoms of acid reflux disease. All people have "reflux" but people who have acid reflux disease experience a reflux that is more acidic, or more traveling to the esophagus. This acid can cause a variety of medical problems and issues.

The good news is that there are many ways to treat acid reflux. The simplest and arguably the most effective method is to make adjustments in their diet, and avoiding foods that trigger acid reflux. If eat fatty food triggers your acid reflux, or eat food in large quantities, try changing the types or amounts of foods they eat. It will often be very effective in the treatment of acid reflux.

There are also many "good" foods that are beneficial in the treatment of acid reflux. A method of dealing with acid reflux is a tea made of anise and lavender. These two herbs make a drink that relieves the stomach acid. If you like sweet, you can add honey for tea. Anise is an herb that is good for the treatment of problems of digestion, and lavender also works in the treatment of acid reflux because it reduces the amount of acid in the stomach.

Another herb used to treat acid reflux is cinnamon. Add some cinnamon to a hot drink, or even sprinkle some of his favorite dish as a method of treatment of acid reflux.

Pineapple and papaya are both fruits which can be used in the treatment of acid reflux as they are rich in enzymes that help digestion. Fresh papaya and pineapple taste so delicious and can be found at any supermarket. Papaya helps the digestive systems of his body and pineapple is the reflux of acid to reduce inflammation.

Root of chicory is another way of dealing with acid reflux without drugs or chemicals. All you need to do to prepare the root chicory is boiling in water, allows to cool down, and will have as a tea.

Some changes in your lifestyle can be very good in treatment of acid reflux. Reduce the amount of coffee and alcohol you drink can have a very positive effect on your acid reflux. If you smoke, cut back or even quit smoking can be very effective in the treatment of your acid reflux, such as smoking tends to increase the power of the symptoms of acid reflux.

At your local pharmacy can also find an abundance of envelope pills counter to treat acid reflux. The majority of these treatments work very quickly and well.

If none of the resources already described is effective in the treatment of your acid reflux, your doctor may recommend a course of medication. These medications are usually histamine-2 blockers or an inhibitors Proton pump, which can be very effective in the treatment of acid reflux.

A Closer Look at Children with Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux is a condition normally associated with adults. Sadly, many children also suffer the effects of acid reflux.

This desease, also referred to as gastro-esophageal reflux, occurs when stomach contents churn and rise up into the esophagus, the tube connecting the stomach with the mouth.

A muscle between the esophagus and the stomach, known as the lower esophageal sphincter, is responsible for keeping the stomach closed off until food is swallowed. The lower esophageal sphincter then opens up and allows the food into the stomach before closing again. Although Acid reflux can begin during infancy, it can carry over into early childhood.

Though quite common in children, most people are not aware of it’s occurrence. In most cases, the process of gastro-esophageal reflux occurs quickly, the acid comes up into the esophagus and then rapidly goes back down into the stomach. In this case, the esophagus suffers no damage. However, if the stomach acid stays in the esophagus, it damages the esophagus lining. In some cases, the stomach contents rise up all the way into the mouth, only to be swallowed again. This process causes a number of symptoms such as a chronic cough, or a hoarse voice. More serious symptoms can include difficulty in swallowing, wheezing, and chronic pneumonia.

Anyone who suspects that their child is afflicted with acid reflux, should have the child seen by his or her pediatrician. After examining the child and evaluating the symptoms, the doctor may run tests to diagnose whether acid reflux is present. Often, the doctor will begin treatment before testing for acid reflux. In one of the tests, called an upper GI-series X-ray, the child’s X-ray is taken after being given a glass of barium to drink. This particular test is successfully used to locate hiatal hernias, blockages, and other gastrointestinal problems.

Another test, thought to be more effective than the X-ray, is the endoscopy. Typically, the child is sedated and put to sleep during the test. An endoscope, which is a thin, flexible plastic tube with a camera attached to the end, is then placed inside the throat. With the help of endoscope, the doctor is directly able to examine the esophagus lining, stomach, and a portion of the small intestine. The endoscopy also allows the doctor to perform a biopsy rather painlessly.

Yet another test, the esophageal pH probe, may also be used. This test consists of using an extremely light, and ultra-thin wire with an acid sensor tip and inserting it through the patient’s nose and into the lower esophagus. This method is used to detect and record the presense of stomach acid in the esophagus.

Knowing When It's Time to Consider Acid Reflux Medication

If you have been recently diagnosed with acid reflux disease, you may be thinking about acid reflux medication as treatment for it.

As you work with your doctor, he or she will want to try other treatment options before putting you on prescription acid reflux medication.

If the other treatments are not doing anything for your acid reflux problem, your doctor may want to put you on some type of acid reflux medication.

Other Treatments to Try Before Taking Acid Reflux Medication

You doctor will want you to try to change your lifestyle before prescribing acid reflux medication. These changes include cutting the amount of alcohol and coffee you take, giving up smoking, avoiding certain foods that trigger your acid reflux, and keeping your weight to a manageable level. You will also need to change the way you eat by having smaller meals more often. All these lifestyle changes will help you to control the acid that is produced.

When There is No Other Choice but the Acid Reflux Medication

When you have tried all the lifestyle changes that your doctor has given you and there is still no change -or it is not a noticeable one, you may need to add some over-the0counter acid reflux medication. Antacids will help you to keep your acid level down. You may be also asked to take the antacids right before the doctor runs tests so that your doctor can decide if the problem is acid reflux or something else. It is not necessary for your doctor to do anything more if the non-prescription acid reflux medication is working.

However, if the acid reflux medication does not work or shows little improvement with the heartburn, the damage that can be done gets more serious. Your doctor may want to try another method of treatment to stop any problems with the larynx and esophagus and the pain that comes with it. Your doctor may go to the next step and prescribe some stronger acid reflux medication for you.

You will need to follow the directions and take it on a regular basis. There is not really a time frame on how long you may be taking the acid reflux medication. The acid reflux medication will include histamine-2 blockers. They are commonly known as Zantac or Pepcid. You may also take proton-pump inhibitors called Prilosec or Prevacid. These acid reflux medications will also be taken before any tests are run to make sure that they are working for you.


Acid reflux sufferers have many treatments that are available to them. Your doctor will have many different options he or she may want you to try before the next step is taken. Your doctor will give you the acid reflux medication only after you have tried changing your lifestyle and doing so has not worked for you. When you find the right acid reflux medication to help you, you will find the relief that you have been looking for.