Even after their symptoms have disappeared and the esophagus has healed, many patients need to continue taking their GERD medicine. “GERD is a relapsing disease,” says Dr. Esrailian. “To prevent recurrence and further damage to the esophagus, people may have to stay on the drugs for years, even for life.”
However, most over-the-counter treatments for heartburn are not meant to be taken every day for a long time. Prescription proton pump inhibitors are generally given for short-term use (4-8 weeks) to help control acid reflux and stomach ulcers.
Do not take nonprescription omeprazole for longer than 14 days or treat yourself with omeprazole more often than once every 4 months without talking to your doctor.
Stopping PPI treatment can cause rebound acid hypersecretion, leading to the transient appearance of symptoms such as indigestion, heartburn or regurgitation.
GERD is a potentially serious condition, and it will not go away on its own. Untreated GERD can lead to inflammation of the esophagus and cause complications like ulcers, strictures and increased risk of Barrett's esophagus, which is a precursor to esophageal cancer.
Although you may have been diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), that doesn't mean you can't enjoy your life to its fullest. There are ways to control GERD that won't necessarily make your acid reflux go away, but it may help alleviate the symptoms enough so that you forget that they are there.
Surgery for GERD
The goal of surgery for reflux disease is to strengthen the anti-reflux barrier. During a procedure known as a Nissen fundoplication, your surgeon wraps the upper part of your stomach around the lower esophagus. This enhances the anti-reflux barrier and can provide permanent relief from reflux.
Recurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common among patients who are no longer receiving proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
As chronic GERD continues untreated, the stomach acid can scar the lining of the esophagus. As the scar tissue increases, it makes the esophagus more narrow in certain spots. It becomes difficult to eat and drink and may lead to dehydration and weight loss. Ask Digestive Health Services about an available treatment.
Is it safe to take Gaviscon for a long time? Gaviscon does not usually cause problems when you take it for a long time. Tell your doctor if you need to take it regularly for more than a week.
Risks of Acid-Reducing Drugs
Other consequences include reduced nutrient absorption, increased risk of infection, and increased risk of cancer and other diseases.
Stage 1 (mild): A person has infrequent heartburn and regurgitation happening once or less each week. Stage 2 (moderate): A person has regurgitation or heartburn occurring a few times a week. Stage 3 (severe): A person has regular heartburn, a chronic cough, regurgitation, a hoarse voice, and regurgitation of food.
If you experience acid reflux/heartburn more than twice a week over a period of several weeks, constantly take heartburn and antacids and your symptoms keep returning, call your healthcare provider.
Advanced acid reflux or GERD is treated and cured with surgery. Nissen fundoplication and hiatal hernia repair is a minimally invasive procedure with almost 100% effectiveness in stopping acid reflux. Nissen fundoplication surgery, when properly performed, is safe and durable.
There is some evidence to suggest that stress and anxiety may provoke acid reflux or make the symptoms worse. For instance, a 2018 study involving more than 19,000 people found that those with anxiety were more likely to experience GERD symptoms.
If not treated, GERD can lead to more serious health problems. In some cases, you might need medicines or surgery. However, many people can improve their symptoms of GERD through self-care and lifestyle changes.
For some folks, it can last just a few minutes. Sometimes it can last for several hours. Heartburn happens about once a week for up to 20% of Americans and is common in pregnant women.
There is no one clear age where heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) see a specific spike, but it's a fact of life that heartburn does worsen as we get older.
With age, the stomach muscles and tissue fibers weaken, and it's not uncommon for the upper portion to bulge into the chest cavity, a condition called hiatal hernia. This causes your diaphragm to reposition as well, so it can no longer keep stomach fluid in its place — heartburn.
Treating and Preventing Acid Reflux
Try over-the-counter antacid medications (like Prilosec) Eliminate foods and drinks that trigger your symptoms (see below) Avoid eating right before bed.
As well as acid reflux and heartburn, GERD is sometimes associated with problems swallowing. Other possible symptoms include a burning sensation in your throat, a bad taste in your mouth, and stomach noises. People who have GERD often feel very full. They may also feel nauseous and like they need to vomit.
How common is GERD? Researchers estimate that about 20 percent of people in the United States have GERD.
Recent studies show that overuse of PPIs can be harmful to your health and should not be used long-term. Side effects of proton pump inhibitors include infections, bone fractures and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Research has even connecting extended PPI drug use to increased risk of stomach cancer.