How is gastroesophageal reflux treated?

The treatment of gastroesophageal reflux mainly includes the following aspects:

1. Lifestyle modifications: Improve unhealthy eating habits, such as eating smaller meals more frequently, avoiding eating within two hours before bedtime, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and controlling body weight. Additionally, elevating the head of the bed by 15–20 degrees during sleep can help reduce nighttime reflux.

2. Medication therapy: Proton pump inhibitors are commonly used, as these medications can rapidly and effectively suppress gastric acid secretion and relieve reflux symptoms. For patients with milder symptoms, H2 receptor antagonists may also be selected. Furthermore, prokinetic agents and gastric mucosal protectants can be used as adjunctive treatments.

3. Surgical treatment: For patients who do not respond to medication or have severe symptoms, anti-reflux surgery such as laparoscopic fundoplication may be considered to reduce the frequency of reflux episodes and control symptoms.

4. Psychological therapy: Patients with accompanying depressive or anxiety symptoms should receive appropriate psychological intervention to alleviate mental stress and improve their condition.

At the same time, lifestyle adjustments are emphasized to achieve optimal treatment outcomes.