EDUCATION

Managing GERD will help lower the chances of long term problems and damage. It will also help ease symptoms that make it harder to perform day to day activities. The goals are to:

  • Lower the amount of acid made in the stomach
  • Make the sphincter muscle stronger
  • Lower the food, liquid, and stomach acid that flows backwards into the esophagus

GERD is treated with a mix of medicines and lifestyle changes. If these don't work, surgery may be an option. If you have other conditions that cause GERD or make it worse, they will need to be treated as well.

GERD treatment includes:

Lifestyle changes
Medications
Surgery
REFERENCES:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). American Gastroenterological Association website. Available at: https://aga-cms-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018214195040---All_GERD_2017.pdf. Updated July 2017. Accessed August 20, 2018.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116914/Gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-GERD. Updated September 14, 2017. Accessed August 20, 2018.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Merck Manual Professional Version. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/esophageal-and-swallowing-disorders/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-gerd. Updated April 2018. Accessed August 20, 2018.

Katz PO, Gerson LB, Velva MF. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(3):302-328.

Treatment for GER & GERD. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/treatment. Updated November 2014. Accessed August 20, 2018.

Last reviewed May 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daus Mahnke, MD  Last Updated: 8/20/2018