How to Get Rid of Acid Reflux

Many people can get rid of acid reflux by making simple lifestyle changes and taking an over-the-counter or prescription medication as needed. Lifestyle changes that can help include avoiding smoking and alcohol, eating smaller meals, and maintaining a healthy weight.

1. Lifestyle Changes

Acid reflux occurs when your stomach contents, mostly digestive juices, backflow into your esophagus or throat. Occasional acid reflux is nothing to worry about. However, if it happens two or more times per week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Acid reflux can often be controlled and prevented with lifestyle changes. If you have acid reflux or GERD, avoid the following:

• Alcohol, smoking, and tobacco products, which can weaken your lower esophageal sphincter, making it easier for acid to back up into your throat
• Being overweight, which increases pressure on your abdomen and can cause your stomach contents to flow backwards into the esophagus.
• Eating large meals, as it can also cause acid reflux due to excess pressure on the esophageal sphincter
• Eating trigger foods like chocolate, processed foods, fatty/fried foods, or foods that are spicy, minty, or acidic
• Drinking caffeinated beverages like coffee or eating foods that contain caffeine
• Drinking carbonated beverages, such as soda, kombucha, and tonic water
• Eating within two to three hours of bedtime, which can lead to your stomach contents backing up when you lie down
• Wearing tight clothing in your abdominal area, as it can increase pressure on your stomach
• Sleeping flat. Try sleeping on a wedge pillow to prevent gravity-related reflux at night.

Once you commit to lifestyle changes and/or begin GERD treatment, you won’t need to manage symptoms as much or possibly at all.

2. Over-the-Counter Medications

Several over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available for treating both short-term and chronic acid reflux:

• Antacids such as Tums and Rolaids help neutralize stomach acids and reduce acid reflux symptoms. These products are a quick, convenient way to control heartburn. However, they are not for everyday use.
• H2 receptor blockers lower the amount of acid your stomach makes. H2 blockers are available OTC or by prescription.
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) lower the amount of acid your stomach makes. PPIs are better at treating GERD symptoms than H2 blockers, and they can heal the esophageal lining in most people with GERD. They are available OTC or by prescription. Healthcare providers may prescribe PPIs for long-term GERD treatment.

3. Sore Throat Remedies

With GERD, the lining of the esophagus can become inflamed or irritated from stomach acids, which can cause a burning chest pain and sometimes a sour taste or cough. Sore throat is often one of the symptoms of GERD.

Short-term sore throat from acid reflux is caused by the digestive fluids burning your tissues. Long-term sore throat can indicate GERD with coughing, which adds to the inflammation, swelling, and throat pain.

Try these sore throat remedies:

• Drink cold beverages.
• Gargle with salt water to alleviate inflammation and irritation.
• Add honey to a warm beverage.
• Suck on lozenges or a popsicle.

If you have occasional acid reflux episodes that cause a sore throat, these remedies can be an effective short-term solution. However, the best relief for chronic acid reflux comes from addressing the underlying cause(s).

4. Prescription Medications

Symptoms of acid reflux from GERD are usually manageable, but if you have not found relief from lifestyle changes and/or OTC products, consult a healthcare provider about prescription options.

You may only need prescription medications to help with symptom management until you can change lifestyle factors sufficiently to no longer need the medication. However, this may not be the case for everybody.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe prokinetics, which can strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and help the stomach empty faster.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Contact your healthcare provider if you have acide reflux more than once or twice a week, and/or if you have any of the following symptoms with acid reflux:

• Chest pain
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent vomiting
• Difficult or painful swallowing
• Signs of bleeding in the digestive tract, such as vomit that contains blood or looks like coffee grounds, and stools that contain blood or look black and tarry

What Can Happen When Acid Reflux Goes Untreated?

Chronic acid reflux should not be ignored. Serious complications of untreated GERD can include:

• Esophagus erosion: Esophagus tissue lining is worn away by acid, so sores (ulcers) may develop.
• Barrett’s esophagus: This refers to damage to the lower portion of the esophagus. It’s usually a result of repeated exposure to stomach acid. The esophagus lining starts to resemble an intestinal lining.
• Esophageal cancer: The risk of esophageal cancer seems to be higher in people who have more frequent symptoms.
• Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus is referred to as esophagitis. It is a common complication of GERD that can progress to Barrett’s esophagus if left untreated.
• Dysphagia: This is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. Some people with dysphagia experience pain with swallowing as well.