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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Treatments
GERD Treatment Options
If you are suffering from GERD, the good news is that there are many treatment options available. Treatment options for GERD include:
- Diet and lifestyle modifications
- Medication
- Surgery
We will determine the treatment option that is best for you based upon a number of factors, including your medical history and the frequency of your GERD symptoms.
GERD Treatments: Lifestyle and Diet Modification
Before exploring medical and surgical options, we may suggest making small changes to your diet and lifestyle. Many people are successful in managing the frequency of their GERD through dietary and lifestyle changes, allowing them to avoid surgery.
Some lifestyle and diet modifications that can help lessen the frequency of GERD may include:
- Losing weight, not overeating and eating more slowly
- Quitting smoking
- Not going to bed with a full stomach
- Wearing loose-fitting clothing
- Reducing alcohol consumption
Gastrointestinal issues are often associated with unintended weight loss and malnutrition. At Stanford, we have a dedicated team of nutritionists who can help add low-acid foods to your diet or help you lose weight. Learn more about medical nutritional therapy at Stanford.
GERD Treatments: Medication
If diet and lifestyle modification do not help alleviate your symptoms, we may suggest medication. Some over-the-counter and prescription drugs are helpful in treating GERD. These may include
- Antacids
- H2 blockers to reduce acid production
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce acid production
GERD Treatments: Surgery
If we determine that surgery is the most effective way to treat your GERD, you can feel confident knowing that our surgeons are among the most experienced in the country.
We use a minimally invasive approach whenever possible. In fact, experts at the Esophagus Center perform more minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, than anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Some of the surgical options we offer include:
- Esophagus reconstruction: Reconstructing the natural barrier between your stomach and esophagus with the help of the Stretta® device.
- Transoral incisionless fundoplication: Reconstructing the valve between your esophagus and stomach through a minimally invasive procedure with the help of the EsophyX® device.
- Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: This procedure creates a new valve between your esophagus and stomach while also reinforcing the closing function of your esophagus.
- Linx® Magnetic reflux management device: The Linx® device is a newly-approved reflux management system that prevents stomach acid from pushing back into your esophagus.
- Collis gastroplasty: This procedure lengthens your esophagus to allow enough surface space to perform a fundoplication procedure. You may need Collis gastroplasty if you have a shortened esophagus due to Barrett's esophagus or other forms of injury.
- Esophagus resection: To remove the diseased portion of the esophagus
- Ablation for esophagus disorders: To remove damaged esophageal cells
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.