GERD Treatment: OTC, Prescription Medications, and Home Remedies Everyday Health Menu NewslettersSearch GERD Treatment Options for GERD Although most cases of GERD can be effectively managed with lifestyle modifications and medications, sometimes surgery may be necessary. By Mark HenricksMedically Reviewed by Justin Laube, MD Reviewed: December 3, 2021 Medically Reviewed Medications can be used to relieve symptoms of GERD.Vasil Dimitrov/iStock If you have Most people with GERD start with an over-the-counter (OTC) drug. If your symptoms don’t improve within a few weeks, your doctor may prescribe a prescription drug to take instead. Lifestyle and Home Remedies to Treat GERD Lose weight. When excess abdominal weight presses on the stomach, it can cause acid to rise up into the esophagus. If you're Wear loose-fitting clothing. This can reduce pressure on your abdomen.Avoid certain foods. Foods and ingredients that may cause Raise the head of your bed. Try to make the Address stress. Prior studies have shown an association between psychological stress and reflux esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus from GERD), and the degree of inflammation correlated with the level of stress reported. Discuss chronic stress with your primary care doctor, and seek help through therapy or at-home techniques like Medications to Treat GERD These may be bought over-the-counter and are available in stronger formulations prescribed by a doctor.Antacids These drugs treat symptoms by neutralizing acid in your stomach. They can offer quick relief, but they won’t help heal a damaged esophagus. These medications can also lead to side effects like diarrhea or OTC options in this category include Surgery for GERD Surgery may be a helpful option if your GERD isn't well controlled with lifestyle changes and medications, or if there's some reason you can't take a drug to treat it. There are a couple of different surgical options for GERD, some examples include: Fundoplication In this procedure, a surgeon wraps the top of your stomach around your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to tighten the muscle and prevent acid reflux. This is the most common type of surgery for GERD. It’s usually done as a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. The magnetic ring allows food to pass through into the stomach and keeps the area closed when no food is present. Integrative and Complementary Approaches to Treat GERD A review published in the journal Primary Care mentioned some supportive evidence for Talk to your doctor if you want to explore a complementary and integrative approach for your GERD, especially if you are taking it orally, and to discuss how to integrate it with your mainstream medication plan. Here's some more information about complementary and integrative therapies for GERD, with varying supporting evidence.Herbal remedies Chamomile, licorice, and other herbs are sometimes used to relieve NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Digestive Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking Acid Reflux. Show Less The Latest in GERD What’s the Difference Between Acid Reflux and GERD? A burning pain in your chest generally signals heartburn, right? But if you are thinking that heartburn, also known as acid reflux, is the same as gastroesophag...By Denise SchipaniDecember 1, 2021 What Is GERD? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and PreventionBy Ashley WelchAugust 27, 2021 Managing GERD in an Era of UncertaintyBy Everyday Health Guest ContributorNovember 22, 2019 Still Searching for Relief From GERDBy Sean Delshad, MD, MBAMay 24, 2019 Heartburn Causes, Symptoms, and DiagnosisBy Diana RodriguezSeptember 17, 2018 How Changes in Body Weight Affect GERD A growing body of research shows that your weight can have a significant impact on acid reflux and related symptoms.By Allison RyanJune 22, 2018 GERD Symptoms and DiagnosisBy Mark HenricksJune 19, 2018 How to Choose the Right GERD Diet Consuming smaller meals, eating slowly, and avoiding certain foods may help relieve symptoms of GERD.By Mark HenricksJune 14, 2018 New Diet to Cut Acid RefluxBy November 16, 2017 Top 15 Heartburn RemediesBy November 14, 2017 MORE IN What Is a Hiatal Hernia? 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