Smoking cessation is important. Refrain from eating spicey and fatty foods, peppermint, caffeine, and chocolate. Seek the advice of your physician for help in eliminating medications that might promote reflux. The second component of treatment is drug therapy. If these fail to provide sufficient relief, prescription medications may be necessary to further suppress stomach acid production.
Some patients also benefit from drugs that improve emptying of the esophagus and stomach.
The third component of treatment is surgery. Some patients are unable to tolerate medical therapy due to side effects from the medications themselves. Other patients experience complications of GERD such as scarring, bleeding, or respiratory symptoms that are sometimes best treated with an operation. There is currently debate over whether young adults with significant GERD symptoms should be considered for surgery even if they obtain adequate relief from medical therapy. Most patients who are recommended to have surgery for GERD will have undergone an endoscopic examination of the esophagus prior to operation.