heartburn treatment
heartburn treatment & Lifestyle Changes
- If you smoke, stop.
- Avoid foods and beverages that worsen symptoms.
- Lose weight if needed.
- Eat small, frequent meals.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes.
- Avoid lying down for 3 hours after a meal.
- Raise the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches by securing wood blocks under the bedposts. Just using extra pillows will not help.
heartburn treatment Medications
Your health care provider may recommend over-the-counter antacids or medications that stop acid production or help the muscles that empty your stomach. You can buy many of these medications without a prescription. However, see your health care provider before starting or adding a medication.
Antacids for heartburn treatment,
such as Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, and Riopan, are usually the first drugs recommended to relieve heartburn and other mild GERD symptoms. Many brands on the market use different combinations of three basic salts—magnesium, calcium, and aluminum—with hydroxide or bicarbonate ions to neutralize the acid in your stomach. Antacids, however, can have side effects. Magnesium salt can lead to diarrhea, and aluminum salt may cause constipation. Aluminum and magnesium salts are often combined in a single product to balance these effects.
Calcium carbonate antacids, such as Tums, Titralac, and Alka-2, can also be a supplemental source of calcium. They can cause constipation as well.
such as Gaviscon, work by covering your stomach contents with foam to prevent reflux.
H2 blockers,
such as cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC), nizatidine (Axid AR), and ranitidine (Zantac 75), decrease acid production. They are available in prescription strength and over-the-counter strength. These drugs provide short-term relief and are effective for about half of those who have GERD symptoms.
Proton pump inhibitors for heartburn treatment
include omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and esomeprazole (Nexium), which are available by prescription. Prilosec is also available in over-the-counter strength. Proton pump inhibitors are more effective than H2 blockers and can relieve symptoms and heal the esophageal lining in almost everyone who has GERD.
Prokinetics
help strengthen the LES and make the stomach empty faster. This group includes bethanechol (Urecholine) and metoclopramide (Reglan). Metoclopramide also improves muscle action in the digestive tract. Prokinetics have frequent side effects that limit their usefulness—fatigue, sleepiness, depression, anxiety, and problems with physical movement.
Because drugs work in different ways, combinations of medications may help control symptoms. People who get heartburn after eating may take both antacids and H2 blockers. The antacids work first to neutralize the acid in the stomach, and then the H2 blockers act on acid production. By the time the antacid stops working, the H2 blocker will have stopped acid production. Your health care provider is the best source of information about how to use medications for GERD.
heartburn treatment through Surgery
Surgery is an option when medicine and lifestyle changes do not help to manage GERD symptoms. Surgery may also be a reasonable alternative to a lifetime of drugs and discomfort.
is the standard surgical heartburn treatment for GERD. Usually a specific type of this procedure, called Nissen fundoplication, is performed. During the Nissen fundoplication, the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the LES to strengthen the sphincter, prevent acid reflux, and repair a hiatal hernia.
The Nissen fundoplication may be performed using a laparoscope, an instrument that is inserted through tiny incisions in the abdomen. The doctor then uses small instruments that hold a camera to look at the abdomen and pelvis. When performed by experienced surgeons, laparoscopic fundoplication is safe and effective in people of all ages, including infants. The procedure is reported to have the same results as the standard fundoplication, and people can leave the hospital in 1 to 3 days and return to work in 2 to 3 weeks.
Endoscopic techniques
used for chronic heartburn treatment include the Bard EndoCinch system, NDO Plicator, and the Stretta system. These techniques require the use of an endoscope to perform the anti-reflux operation. The EndoCinch and NDO Plicator systems involve putting stitches in the LES to create pleats that help strengthen the muscle. The Stretta system uses electrodes to create tiny burns on the LES. When the burns heal, the scar tissue helps toughen the muscle. The long term effects of these three procedures are unknown.
Nutrients for Digestive/Intestinal Health
Step 1. Establish a Nutritional Foundation:
Liquid multi-nutrient delivery technology that provides critical essential nutrients and cofactors needed for the body to thrive. VIBE provides outstanding daily nutritional support and contains specialized nutrients to manage the aging process.*
Step 2. Focus on Digestive Health Goals:
Helpful bacteria promote balanced digestive and intestinal environments for proper nutrient absorption. Supports cholesterol health, the immune system and healthy aging. Assists health during GI distress. Helps replenish beneficial bacteria reduced from antibiotic use.*
Digestive enzymes formulated to aid the body´s natural process of digestion. Its combination of broad spectrum digestive enzymes, herbal components, activating alfalfa nutrients, and the metabolic enzyme Catalase provide a scientifically balanced formula which promotes healthy digestion and overall body health.*
Specialized mineral blend formulated to promote nutritional balance. It has been clinically stated and supported by leading medical researchers that every adult should take a daily multiple supplement. Provides a complete and appropriate physiologic balance of minerals and a foundation for healthy living. Utilizes Eniva´s proprietary Solutomic™ technology to provide bio-available mineral nutrition for enhanced effectiveness.*
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please, consult your health care provider before taking over the counter or prescription drugs, nutritional supplements, or following any health treatment or regimen. The above product(s) is not a substiture for a well balanced diet.
* This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.