Conditions/Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)/Chapter
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) — GERD Treatment
Lifestyle, medication, and when surgery is discussed
GERD care is stepwise: lifestyle and diet first, then acid-suppressing medicines; refractory symptoms, complications, or large hiatal hernia may lead to anti-reflux surgery after objective testing.
Key points
- Lifestyle anchorsTap for details
Avoid lying down soon after meals; elevate the head of the bed; weight loss if overweight; avoid tight belts and heavy lifting after eating.
- MedicationsTap for details
Antacids for breakthrough symptoms; H2 blockers for mild disease; PPIs for esophagitis and persistent reflux under medical supervision.
- Diet triggersTap for details
Fatty meals, chocolate, mint, caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods—personal thresholds vary.
- When surgery enters the conversationTap for details · key note inside
Persistent symptoms despite optimized medical therapy, large hiatal hernia, or selected Barrett/esophagitis patterns after endoscopic assessment.
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Appointment / info
This page is for education. It is not medical advice and does not replace a visit with your physician.
Medical editor: Assoc. Prof. Cengiz Dibekoğlu, MD · Last medically reviewed: August 2026 · English patient-education chapter.