GERD treatment: Simple fixes and real options to stop acid reflux

Got burning in your chest after meals or when you lie down? That’s classic GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). You don’t have to accept daily heartburn. Try a few simple changes first, then consider medicines or tests if symptoms don’t improve.

Quick lifestyle fixes that actually help

Change what and how you eat: smaller meals, slower eating, and stopping food 2–3 hours before bed cut down reflux. Avoid big triggers for you — common ones are coffee, spicy or fatty foods, chocolate, citrus, and alcohol. Keep a food diary for two weeks and watch what spikes symptoms.

Sleep smarter: raise the head of your bed by 6–8 inches or use a wedge pillow. Lying flat lets stomach acid travel up; tilt keeps it down. Don’t stack pillows — the tilt matters more than extra pillows.

Weight matters. Losing 5–10% of body weight often lowers pressure on the stomach and reduces reflux. Quit smoking and limit alcohol — both weaken the valve between your stomach and esophagus.

Medicines, tests, and when to see a doctor

Over-the-counter options include antacids (Tums, Maalox) for quick relief and H2 blockers (famotidine/Pepcid) for longer relief. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like lansoprazole (Prevacid) are the strongest OTC prescription-class option; they reduce acid production and work best if taken daily before breakfast. Use PPIs as directed — many people need 4–8 weeks to notice real improvement.

Worried about long-term PPI use? Talk with your doctor. Possible issues include lower vitamin B12, bone density changes, or kidney effects in rare cases. Your provider can try the lowest effective dose, intermittent therapy, or testing to confirm GERD before long-term use.

If lifestyle changes and a short PPI course don’t help, doctors may recommend tests: an upper endoscopy checks for damage, and pH monitoring measures acid levels. These tests help guide treatment if symptoms are severe, bleeding occurs, or you have trouble swallowing.

Surgery is an option for people who can’t tolerate meds or who have a weak valve. Procedures like Nissen fundoplication or the LINX magnetic device tighten the valve to stop reflux. Surgery usually works well for the right patients, but discuss risks and recovery with a surgeon.

Use these steps: try lifestyle fixes for 4–8 weeks, try OTC or prescribed meds if needed, and see a doctor if you have weight loss, blood in stool, trouble swallowing, or chest pain that isn’t heartburn. Small changes often make a big difference, and when they don’t, testing and targeted treatment will get you back on track.