The pill isn’t the only option. Stop the pills and get relief now.

• How the pills work
• Minimally invasive surgery for reflux
• A brand new treatment

Taking pills every day for life is not the only choice when it comes to acid reflux. Many start by taking over the counter antacids, progress to H2 blockers such as Zantac or Pepcid and then go on to powerful PPIs such as Nexium, Prilosec or Prevacid, often without complete control of symptoms.

Recommendations regarding lifestyle changes such as avoiding certain foods, not eating near bedtime and the importance of losing weight are never provided or are ineffective. Some are never told that the medications are required for life nor educated about the side effects of these medications.

Furthermore, the other treatment options are often never even discussed.

The medications function by either neutralizing or decreasing the production of stomach acid. The acid is only one component of stomach juice which is composed of many chemicals. However, it is the acid, when refluxed upward into the esophagus that is the irritant causing the symptoms of heartburn and pain caused by gastroesophageal reflux.

The pills decrease stomach acid in an effort to reduce symptoms, but do not address the actual cause of reflux, which is the malfunction of the valve that lies at the end of the esophagus (LES).   The LES remains dysfunctional and the pills simply cover up the reflux which still continues. There are immediate and long-term side effects of the pills and they are expensive and inconvenient. Symptom relief is often incomplete and the suffering continues. The stomach is supposed to make acid and there are reasons for it. The pills disturb this which alters the natural digestive process.

What most sufferers do not realize or are never told is that the pill is not the only option. GERD patients deserve to know all the choices when treating their disease so they can work with their physicians in choosing the one best for them.