With the proper medication and medical advice, most heartburn sufferers can achieve complete relief of heartburn symptoms. Many heartburn sufferers significantly reduce their risk of getting heartburn by avoiding the trigger foods and behaviors that affect them most. The next line of defense is medications. Many heartburn sufferers can find some relief from the wide variety of medicines that are available without prescription. In addition, there are even stronger medicines available by prescription.
Antacids neutralize existing acid to provide short-term relief.
H2 blockers reduce acid production, allowing many patients to both relieve and prevent heartburn symptoms for a longer duration of time than antacids. See the chart for a summary of the major types of heartburn treatments and how they work. GERD can also contribute to asthma, pneumonia, hoarseness, chronic cough, abnormal functioning of larynx and dental problems. Additionally, people with GERD also have a higher risk of developing Barrett's esophagus, a condition marked by severe damage to the lining of the esophagus and possibly linked to an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus. Fortunately, both heartburn and the symptoms of GERD can be treated, and many of these complications can be avoided with proper monitoring from a physician.