How To Manage GERD Symptoms: Causes, Treatments, and When To See a Doctor

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is the medical term for chronic acid reflux. It’s common to experience occasional heartburn, which is the burning sensation in your chest or stomach caused by acid reflux. But if heartburn happens frequently or develops into other symptoms, it may be GERD.

Not only is GERD uncomfortable, but it can affect your quality of life and cause lasting damage to your throat and stomach if not addressed. To manage GERD symptoms, healthcare professionals typically recommend lifestyle changes and over-the-counter (OTC) medications as the first line of treatment. However, if symptoms persist, are severe, or get worse, it may be time to see a gastroenterologist or internal medicine doctor for specialized care.

Understanding GERD: Causes and Common Symptoms

Acid reflux happens when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus—the tube that connects your mouth and stomach. Normally, a small muscle at the bottom (called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES) keeps stomach acid where it belongs. When it doesn’t close completely, acid can rise into the esophagus and cause irritation or discomfort.

Stomach acid is strong. While your stomach lining is made to handle it, your throat and esophagus are not. When stomach acid gets into your esophagus, it irritates the tissue and causes the burning sensation known as heartburn. Over time, repeated acid exposure can damage tissue and lead to more serious symptoms or complications.

General GERD Symptoms

Frequent heartburn is typically the first symptom of GERD, but recognizing these other signs can help you identify the condition and seek treatment before it worsens:

• Pain or difficulty swallowing
• Loss of appetite
• A sour or bitter taste in the mouth (caused by a backup of acid)
• Chronic cough
• Sore throat or hoarse voice
• Nausea and occasional vomiting
• Bloating, stomach discomfort, or indigestion
• Sensation of a lump in the throat

How Long Do GERD Symptoms Last?

Whether GERD symptoms develop and how long they last depends on your age, your overall health, and the severity of your condition. Here’s a general idea of what to expect, based on how severe your symptoms are:

• Mild: Symptoms may occur occasionally and last for a few minutes or hours.
• Moderate: Symptoms happen more often and last for several hours or days.
• Severe: Symptoms are constant or severe, lasting for weeks or months.

GERD is a chronic condition. Symptoms may come and go, and it’s common to experience periods of more intense symptoms—called flare ups—even with treatment.

When To See a Doctor for Acid Reflux

Consider seeing a doctor for acid reflux if:

• You experience heartburn more than twice a week.
• Your heartburn is intense or gets in the way of daily activities.
• Lifestyle changes and OTC medications don’t relieve your symptoms.
• You develop additional symptoms, such as nausea, a sore throat, or difficulty swallowing.
• You experience loss of appetite, vomiting, or unintentional weight loss.

It’s important to see a doctor about chronic acid reflux, so they can evaluate you for any underlying medical conditions, suggest appropriate treatment, and monitor disease progression. Untreated GERD often leads to complications, including:

• Inflammation of the esophagus that causes chronic pain.
• Scar tissue development that narrows the esophagus and makes it harder to swallow.
• Precancerous conditions, such as Barrett’s esophagus, can develop due to prolonged exposure to acid and inflammation.
• Damage to the throat and vocal cords, leading to chronic throat soreness, hoarseness, and vocal cord growths.
• Breathing difficulties as you inhale tiny acid particles that irritate and damage airways, which can aggravate asthma and cause chronic coughing.

Don’t wait to talk to a doctor if you’re concerned about acid reflux or GERD. If you don’t have one already, choose a primary care physician and make an appointment to discuss your symptoms. Appropriate treatment can relieve symptoms and slow the development of complications to help you feel better and prevent additional damage to your body.

How To Treat and Manage GERD

Fortunately, there are many GERD treatment options to help you manage your symptoms. Acid reflux doctors typically recommend starting with lifestyle changes and OTC medicines before attempting surgery or other medical procedures.

Lifestyle Changes for GERD

Here are some key lifestyle changes to help you manage GERD:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese puts pressure on the muscle that keeps stomach acid from leaking into your throat.
• Keep your head elevated after eating: Gravity naturally helps to keep acid down, so sitting or standing right after eating can help. Avoid lying down; if you must, try to keep your head elevated by propping it on a pillow.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking: Tobacco and alcohol can weaken the LES. They also make your stomach more acidic and slow your digestion time.

Diet Adjustments for GERD

Dietary changes can also help you reduce and manage symptoms of GERD. The foods you eat, how much you eat, and when you eat all affect acid reflux. For example, eating small, frequent meals may lessen your symptoms. It may also help to eat several hours before bed rather than right before.

Some foods to avoid with GERD include:

• Acidic foods: Citrus (lemons, oranges, grapefruit, lime, etc.), tomatoes, wine, vinegar
• High fat foods: Fried foods, processed meats (sausage, bacon, etc.), dairy products (butter, cheese, full-fat milk)
• Spicy foods: Hot peppers, chili powder, curry
• Other common trigger foods: Chocolate, carbonated drinks, caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks), onions, garlic, alcohol

Keeping a food diary can help you identify what foods trigger your symptoms. If needed, talk to your doctor about other dietary modifications that may help, or ask for a referral to a dietitian.

Non-Prescription Medications for GERD

In addition to lifestyle and dietary changes, certain OTC medications can provide short-term relief from acid reflux.

Antacids neutralize stomach acid so it’s less damaging to the esophagus. Examples of OTC antacids include:

• Aluminum hydroxide gel 
• Calcium carbonate (Alka-Seltzer, Tums)
• Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) 
• Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids
• Pepto-Bismol

H2 blockers reduce how much stomach acid your body produces by blocking the chemical that tells your body to make it. These are some examples of OTC H2 blockers:

• Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)
• Famotidine (Pepcid AC, Zantac 360)
• Nizatidine (Axid, Axid AR)

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are powerful acid blockers that reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. PPIs can also help to heal the damage acid causes to your tissues, and they’re most often used in severe cases. A prescription is required for higher strength PPIs, but several are available over the counter:

• Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
• Esomeprazole (Nexium)

Other Treatments for GERD

If your symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes and taking OTC medications, your doctor may recommend certain prescription medications or additional treatments. Your primary care physician can offer advice and prescribe medicine to manage your symptoms. In severe cases, you’ll likely be referred to a gastroenterologist, who is a doctor specialized in treating digestive system conditions, including acid reflux and GERD.

Prescription Medications for GERD

In addition to prescription-strength PPIs and H2 blockers, doctors might prescribe:

• Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs): This is a newer class of medication that your doctor might try if your case is severe and other medicines haven’t worked.
• Promotility agents: These medications help your stomach empty faster, but can have side effects. Ask your doctor to weigh your options.
• Baclofen: This muscle relaxant is sometimes used to treat GERD.

Surgery for GERD

In severe cases, your doctor might recommend surgery to treat your GERD. A common procedure increases pressure on your LES to help it close properly. Some patients undergo gastric bypass or another weight loss surgery to treat obesity and relieve GERD symptoms.

Got GERD? Get Relief With Wilmington Health

The discomfort of chronic acid reflux can take a toll on your quality of life. If left unchecked, GERD can lead to serious damage and other health conditions. To manage GERD, find a doctor and schedule an appointment with a Wilmington Health gastroenterologist or primary care provider in Wilmington, North Carolina. Our experienced team is here to help you find lasting relief.