For some people, finding the right acid reflux prescription medications is something that turns out to be very simple, but for others, there may be some trial and error involved.

This condition is pretty straight forward, and there are many effective treatments and medications. Once you find something that works for you, you will probably have to take it for a few months to heal damage, though sometimes lifestyle changes can work wonders and you might be able to stop sooner. Most medications are of the once-a-day variety, but your doctor will tailor your prescription to your needs.

Here are five of the most common and most used medications for acid reflux.

Nexium (generic name- esomeprazole): Like Prilosec, this is a drug that is a PPI. It suppresses the enzymes that produce stomach acid to alleviate the symptoms and damage associated with GERD or gastric reflux. This comes in pill form, but there is an intravenous dose for special cases. This is often taken one hour before a meal, and is swallowed whole for best results. Also like Prilosec, this has not been studied with pregnant and nursing women.

Prevacid (generic name-lansoprazole): This is another of the PPI drugs, and it helps retard acid production while allowing the damaged tissues in the esophagus to properly heal. They can be swallowed, or there are tablets that can be placed under the tongue to dissolve rather than swallowed whole. Intravenous doses are available for those who cannot handle the tablet. This is also not be recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing.

Protonix (generic name- pantoprazole): Protonix is also a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) but is perhaps not as well known as the others. It works in the same manner though, and comes in only pill form at this time. Though this is a treatment for GERD, it is also known to be an effective treatment for ulcers. This pill might be taken in whole form only about 30 minutes before a meal for up to two months to decide if it is effective and if healing has occurred. This can not yet be recommended for pregnant and/or nursing women.

Tagamet (generic name-cimetidine): Though this is often thought of as an over-the-counter medication, it is available in prescription strength for those with persistent and daily heartburn problems. This works to stop acid production, but is different than the PPI variety of drug. It blocks histamines, which are known to stimulate acid production. In most cases, the prescription strength is only needed when there has been damage to the tissues. This is taken in pill form, and there is no research as to whether pregnant or nursing women should take it or not.

As with any type of medication, there is always the possibility that one of these might interact with other medications you may be taking for another condition, so be sure to let both your doctor and your pharmacist know what else you are taking.

You should find relief very quickly with each of these, and if you do not, talk to your doctor. You might need a different dosage of these acid reflux prescription medications, or you may not have acid reflux at all. There are times when other problems can mimic this condition, so if your meds are not working, you should get a second opinion.

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By Kathryn Whittaker. Sign up for a free newsletter at http://tinyurl.com/2yow72 that has proven methods for tackling Acid Reflux, Heartburn and GERD head-on and discover more about acid reflux. In the newsletter you’ll also find more about the different kinds of acid reflux help and what to do if you have severe heartburn.

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There are many things that cause problems for those who have GERD (otherwise known as acid reflux). There are some things you can’t eat, and some that you should. There are times when this can be very confusing, and many don’t want to rely on medications to make all foods tolerable. If you want a home remedy for acid reflux, there are things you can try. One of these things is drinking herbal teas. Some of them will help, and some might make matters worse, so you should know which to have and which to avoid.

When choosing herbal teas, there is one important thing to think about when you are choosing what you want to try. Caffeine is a known trigger for acid reflux, and it should be avoided. That means that any herbal teas that you try must be caffeine-free. Though you can get decaffeinated coffee to drink, even that is known to aggravate GERD and should be avoided. This makes decaffeinated herbal teas the best choice when you seek a hot and soothing drink. Some of them might even help with some of your symptoms of acid reflux.

Chicory Root can also be used to make a great herbal tea. You boil a few cups of this and then let sit for a while. You can then drink the tea with honey if you wish. Marshmallow tea might also help. This is not tea made from the marshmallows in your cupboard as the name might suggest, but from a root by the same name. This is known to soothe the digestive system. Another popular type of tea is Chamomile. This is also known to help soothe the symptoms of acid reflux.

You can make many of these on your own, but you can also find them in natural food stores or special sections of your grocery store. Any of these teas might help you feel better, but you won’t know until you try them. However, it is important that you talk with your doctor before you try them, as some can have side effects that you need to know about, and they might also mix badly with any prescription drugs that you might be taking for your acid reflux or for any other reason. You usually will not have any problems with this type of home remedy for acid reflux, but you don’t want to take a chance with your health.

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By Kathryn Whittaker. Sign up for a free newsletter at http://tinyurl.com/2yow72 that has proven methods for tackling Acid Reflux, Heartburn and GERD head-on and discover more about acid reflux. In the newsletter you’ll also find more about the different kinds of acid reflux help and what to do if you have severe heartburn.

View the original article here

The patient was anxious and bothered while waiting for a straightforward answer from her doctor who was quietly fumbling through some files on his drawer. She tried to hide what she felt although the look on her face and her body movements gave away her true sentiments of that exact moment. Another minute of waiting seemed like forever. The lady felt like a second opinion would surely help. She bravely posed the same question again, “Doc, so just how do I cure my GERD?”

Picture yourself in the patient’s shoes? Isn’t it just stressful to know that you’ve got a health condition and wanting to find out the best possible solution for it?

You spend a considerable sum of money for all those tests – from that basic blood sample to a whole abdominal ultrasound and finally an endoscopy examination, ruling all possible digestive disorders, and ending up to discover that you have Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (shall we just call it GERD?).

GERD or acid reflux, depending on its case and severity, can be very much debilitating and can greatly reduce your quality of life — if you do not take immediate measures and get necessary treatment.

So does treatment have to equate with taking all those prescriptive medication from your medical expert and following all his advice? To one extent, it is good to follow your physician’s “well sought for” recommendations — and that’s what most doctors often do. Sometimes it’s best to follow your doctor’s advice.

And sometimes it helps better if you consider that there are better alternatives .. That is, if you keep your eyes open and know where to look, especially when the opportunity presents itself.

The lady folded her arms impatiently yet nervously, and called her doctor’s attention again, “Doc, I really don’t want to have this condition for the rest of my life. That’s why I came to you to know if you can help me cure my GERD. Can’t you give me anything that would relieve my acid reflux and heartburn problems?”

The doctor breathed a sigh of relief as he closed his drawer and looked at his patient, “I’ve finally found what I was looking for”, and gave the young lady a small white card with a website address on it. “These good people provided me with the cure to a condition such as yours. I know their system works.”

“How can you say that?” The patient asked, eagerly looking for assurance.

The doctor gently relaxed himself into his chair and smiled, “Because not too long ago, I was once in your shoes.”

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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a term used to describe the variety of symptoms and forms of tissue damage resulting from chronic reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus.

Over 15 million Americans suffer from daily heartburn, the most common symptom of GERD. In addition to heartburn, other symptoms associated with GERD include regurgitation, chest pain, hoarseness, wheezing, and chronic cough.
GERD is a major healthcare problem with many sufferers reporting worse emotional well-being than patients with diabetes or high blood pressure. Normally, a muscular valve at the end of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) keeps stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus. However, in GERD, the LES is weak or relaxes too frequently, allowing stomach contents to flow freely into the esophagus. Left untreated, GERD can lead to a variety of esophageal complications including inflammation, ulceration, bleeding, and strictures. In addition, GERD patients are at risk to develop a pre-cancerous condition known as Barretts esophagus.

The Full-Thickness Plicator Procedure is a non-surgical, endoscopic GERD treatment based on the proven principles of anti-reflux surgery. The procedure allows the physician to create a full-thickness plication at the gastroesophageal junction under direct endoscopic visualization; enhancing the competency of the gastric cardia and restoring the normal anti-reflux barrier. Patients are treated on an outpatient basis and usually are able to return to normal activities the following day.