How long gerd takes to cure

Always ask your doctor about the best treatment for your GERD-related throat inflammation. Fact-checked Written By A Doctor.

MD, Associate Lecturer of Gastroenterology and hepatology. An IBS sufferer, gut health enthusiast and witer. Facebook Twitter Linkedin. What Causes a Hiatal Hernia to Flare-up? Read More ». How Does H. Pylori Affect Your Throat? Doctor Explains. How H. Doctor explains.

Maintenance treatment for persistent-but-mild GERD. People who require maintenance treatment may be directed to take either antacids or H2 blocker medication on a regular schedule rather than taking them "as needed.

H2 blockers are used to prevent and relieve symptoms of heartburn and sour stomach, while antacids are best for rapid relief of symptoms and can be taken immediately after meals as well as within 1 to 3 hours of bedtime. Maintenance treatment for persistent moderate-to-severe GERD.

People who have more severe symptoms, greater damage to the esophageal tissues, or whose symptoms return as soon as medication is stopped often need ongoing treatment to control and relieve symptoms. Maintenance treatment requires aggressive measures to block the production and release of stomach acid. This method uses proton pump inhibitors, such as Prevacid, Prilosec, Aciphex, and Protonix.

They are also used when complications such as esophagitis fail to heal with regular treatment. They are generally taken once a day, in the morning before breakfast. However, higher doses of proton pump inhibitors may be necessary in very severe GERD or in people who don't respond to treatment.

Some medications, such as antacids, work right away. Others take days to weeks before you notice a difference in your symptoms. Your response depends on how severe your GERD symptoms are and what treatment plan you're following. Always ask your doctor how soon you can expect relief.

Sign up for our Newsletter! You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. No alternative medicine therapies have been proved to treat GERD or reverse damage to the esophagus. Some complementary and alternative therapies may provide some relief, when combined with your doctor's care.

Talk to your doctor about what alternative GERD treatments may be safe for you. The options might include:. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment anytime you don't understand something. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may leave time to go over points you want to spend more time on. You may be asked:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Endoscopy Open pop-up dialog box Close. Endoscopy An endoscopy procedure involves inserting a long, flexible tube endoscope down your throat and into your esophagus. Substitute for esophageal sphincter Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Substitute for esophageal sphincter The LINX device is an expandable ring of metal beads that keeps stomach acid from refluxing into the esophagus, but allows food to pass into the stomach.

Email address. First Name let us know your preferred name. Last Name. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. In most cases, it leads to long-term improvement of GERD symptoms. During the operation, a surgeon sews the top of your stomach around the end of your esophagus to add pressure to the lower esophageal sphincter and help prevent reflux.

Surgeons may perform fundoplication as laparoscopic or open surgery. In laparoscopic fundoplication, which is more common, surgeons make small cuts in the abdomen and insert special tools to perform the operation. Laparoscopic fundoplication leaves several small scars.

In open fundoplication, surgeons make a larger cut in the abdomen. Bariatric surgery. If you have GERD and obesity, your doctor may recommend weight-loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery , most often gastric bypass surgery. Bariatric surgery can help you lose weight and reduce GERD symptoms.