First and foremost, there are several simple lifestyle changes you can make to help avoid acid reflux. Avoiding aggravating factors such as caffeinated beverages like coffee and soda, alcohol, consuming large amounts of vitamin C, foods high in sugar and fat, acidic foods (oranges, lemons, tomatoes), fried foods, spicy foods, and dairy products are good ways to keep acid reflux at bay. Most important is that you avoid eating within 2 hours of bedtime, or laying down after having eaten a meal. It is also suggested that cutting back on smoking can also help reduce your chances of experiencing acid reflux.
If these things do not work, your doctor may recommend antacids(Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta) or acid reducers(Tagament, Zantac, Pepcid). Proton Pump Inhibitors are prescription medications designed to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. Proton Pump Inhibitors are usually prescribed for severe acid reflux cases, and can also be used to treat severe symptoms like inflammation of the esophagus. The most common Proton Pump Inhibitors are Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, and Prontoxin.
In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary to treat severe acid reflux. The most common procedure, known as Nissen fundoplication, consists of wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the Lower Esophageal Sphincter to strengthen the sphincter and prevent future acid reflux.