How can I treat Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux can be managed through lifestyle changes, medications and in more severe cases surgery for long term suffers.

Lifestyle Advice

• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid aggravating foods such as peppermint, tomato, chocolate, spices, hot drinks, coffee
• Eat slowly and eat smaller meals and avoid lying down after meals
• Avoid eating before bedtime
• Reduce stress levels and anxiety
• Weight loss
• Stop smoking
• Raising of the head of the bed
• Better posture

Medications

Acid reflux tablets and capsules medication options include:

• Over the counter Antacids e.g. Rennie: is an anti acidity capsule which works by counteracting the acidity in the stomach
• Alginate-containing antacids e.g. Gaviscon: which is an effective medicine to treat stomach acid, forming a ‘raft’ that floats on the surface of the stomach to reduce the amount of acid and reflux and protect the esophagus
• Histamine H2 receptor antagonists e.g. Zantac (Ranitidine) stomach acid tablets: which reduce stomach acidity by stopping the action of histamine on cells which usually signal the release of stomach acid
• Proton-pump inhibitors e.g. Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole: these heartburn tablets provide the most effective relief by inhibiting the enzyme of the cells in the stomach which usually releases stomach acid