Books and Articles by Patricia Raymond

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.

You don’t want you to have to give up foods that you like if they don’t cause problems for you. And likewise, you want to know what foods do cause you problems so you can stay away them. Take this nine-day challenge to find out which foods bother you and which foods don’t. Cutting down or cutting out favorite foods can be tough.

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.

Prokinetics focus on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This type of medication is aimed at addressing the root cause of acid reflux instead of simply reducing symptoms. Prokinetics are available by prescription only and come in liquid, tablet, IV, and subcutaneous injection form. They’re often used in conjunction with other acid reflux and GERD medications, such as H2 receptor antagonists and Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs).

The most common surgical procedure for relieving the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — and one that has been around for years — is the Nissen fundoplication, which has about an 85 percent success rate in relieving reflux symptoms and healing inflammation of the esophagus. The procedure involves wrapping the upper stomach, or fundus, around the lower part of the esophagus.

There are a wide variety of reasons why any particular drug goes from a prescription medication to an over-the-counter version. Some of these reasons are for the patient’s good; others are for the good of the drug manufacturer. For example, advertising for over-the-counter drugs have much lower standards for informing consumers about potential side effects, drug interactions, and new research.

Unless you have an allergy to a particular grain, every grain is a healthy food choice for the general population and for the acid-reflux sufferer. So, gain some grains with the following recipes. Muesli is common in Europe and a nice alternative to the mushiness of American-style oats. Credit: ©iStockphoto.com/AbbieImages Fast Morning Muesli Preparation time: 20 minutes Yield: 4 servings 1 cup rolled oats 1/4 cup dates or raisins 3 cups soymilk or rice milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) 1 cup chopped almonds 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup sunflower seeds In a large bowl, combine the oats and dates or raisins.

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.