According to a study mandated by a new Medicare law, data has come back saying that drugs can be just as effective as even surgery in managing some of the symptoms of acid reflux. This can affect many people, as it is estimated that currently sixty million Americans have acid reflux.

If you have been diagnosed with acid reflux disease, knowing that in some cases drugs may be as effective as surgery, it makes available a variety of treatment options. Your doctor may recommend an over the counter medication, such as an antacid or a prokinetic agent. If this is not effective, prescription antacids may be recommended or even surgery, or a combination of both.

It's been found that with chronic GERD, over-the-counter medications (such as Zantac, Pepcid and Tagamet -- each with their own respected trademarks) are not as effective as proton pump inhibitors. But the proton pump inhibitors can have more side effects. Also, the respected brands Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec OTC are all similar in the degree of effectiveness. And when compared to surgery, they seem to compare similarly in relieving the discomfort of GERD.

One thing to keep in mind is that even though there are antacids and surgery to help manage your symptoms, be sure not to overlook a simple cure.

Sometimes just because a cure is simple, people scoff at the ability of it to help. It's best to start with the easiest and cheapest solutions (such as reducing workplace stress) and then work your way to something more dramatic (like surgery).

Some people have found a simple way to control heartburn is by just making simple lifestyle changes.

The most obvious lifestyle change that you could make to help manage your heartburn symptoms is also the simplest of all solutions: avoid any food or drinks that make you feel uncomfortable. Some people say this is too easy and it can't work, some people say it's too difficult to make dietary adjustments. But you can try a simple experiment to see if this provides your cure.

Take four week test and replace any fatty, deep-fried foods with healthier alternatives, such as a salad, vegetables, and non-citrus fruits. In addition, try to avoid any caffeine drinks (this is probably the most difficult of all) and instead try non-caffeinated drinks and herbal teas.

Another diet tip is to eat a just barely ripened banana (were there is still a small bit of green left to it) about a half hour before bed. I know, it sounds crazy, but some people swear by this simple and healthy method of controlling heartburn.

You may not have realized it, but stress could be a contributing cause to your acid reflux. Studies have found that the body makes more stomach acid in stressful situations, and if you find yourself "stressing out," then it's time to learn to relax.

There's lots of resources on the internet with instructions on reducing stress: the main thing is to find a relaxing place all to yourself, or listen to calm music, or read by yourself. Make sure you don't let other people make their problems become your problem. If everyone asks you how to solve their problems, then get out of the problem solving business. Once you discover the source of your stress, find ways to reduce your exposure to this stressor and you may find your acid reflux to be a thing of the past.

If you have acid reflux, the best thing to do is to seek help from your medical professional. You can get trusted advice and then make your own choice. And for some people, the acid reflux may be so severe that they'll need to have surgery and then follow up with medications to really get a handle on it.

However, some simple changes in your life may provide all the help you need and may even enhance your quality of living.

Copyright (c) 2006.