Michelle Beaver

There are many opinions out there about how to treat acid reflux. It can get confusing! Particularly confusing is the fact that what triggers one person's reflux may not trigger yours. This Cheat Sheet breaks down the bulk of what you need to know so you can reduce your reflux without getting a headache.What causes acid reflux?

A well-balanced carb-intensive breakfast can be a healthy choice, and with the right ingredients, it can be great for someone with acid reflux. Baked goods, even ones that are billed as healthy (as opposed to a donut), are an easy way to consume lots of sugar and fat that you’re not intending to consume. Many muffins, for instance, are only about as healthy as a cupcake without frosting.

Acid reflux is more common in senior populations than in other demographics, but statistics vary as to just how common it is. Just as acid reflux is different in infants than it is in kids, acid reflux is different in younger adults than it is in older adults. For one thing, acid reflux in older adults can be much more dangerous and lead to more complications.

H2 receptor antagonists (also known as H2 blockers) are prescribed to treat occasional acid reflux that results from too much stomach acid making its way up the esophagus and causing esophageal inflammation. These drugs used to be prescription only, but they’ve recently been approved for over-the-counter sales.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed for patients with acid reflux. PPIs help prevent acid reflux outbreaks instead of treating symptoms that have already manifested. PPIs are the most common medication prescribed to GERD patients. In fact, they’re among the most widely prescribed medications in the world, with 119 million U.

When most people think about acid reflux, they immediately think of heartburn and use the words interchangeably. Although reflux and heartburn are related, they’re not the same thing. Heartburn is actually just a symptom of acid reflux. Heartburn is an uncomfortable or painful burning sensation in the chest that usually occurs after a meal.

Acid reflux is dangerous because it's linked with several serious, life-threatening medical conditions. One of the more serious conditions associated with reflux is esophageal stricture (a narrowing of the esophagus). This condition can make it difficult to swallow and may require surgery. Even more serious is Barrett's esophagus, a mutation of the cells that line the esophagus.

The old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" certainly applies to acid reflux: It's better to prevent acid reflux than to treat it. When you get acid reflux, if you keep doing whatever gave you the ailment, you'll keep getting the ailment, and eventually there will be consequences beyond discomfort and pain.

The terms acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference among these three digestive disorders: Acid reflux is the reason you have heartburn. It is the underlying condition that allows stomach acid to escape into the esophagus. Reflux is the result of a malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter (LES).