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.

Exercise can be a big help to acid reflux sufferers. Which reflux sufferers can benefit most from exercise? Those who are overweight. Exercise promotes a healthy weight, and a healthy weight is important for preventing heartburn and for reducing it in people who already have it. Excess weight puts too much pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and that pressure can cause acid reflux.

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.

The medications you take also can have an impact on your acid reflux. Fortunately, drugs undergo significant testing for side effects before they go on the market, and the findings are fairly easy to obtain. So yes, you may have to figure it out through trial and error, but the information on which medications may trigger your reflux is available — you’ll find it on that piece of paper your pharmacist gives you with your prescription.

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.

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).