Therapeutic target
- Improvement of the symptomatology
- Avoidance of complications of pyrosis (heartburn) as a sign of reflux esophagitis (esophagitis due to reflux (backflow) of stomach acid into the esophagus).
Therapy recommendations
- Symptomatic therapy (when gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is assumed and no alarm symptoms are present: such as. Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), odynophagia (pain on swallowing), recurrent (“recurring”) vomiting, (involuntary) weight loss, anemia (anemia), evidence of gastrointestinal blood loss (gastrointestinal bleeding) or a mass): depending on the severity of symptoms:
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs; acid blockers):
- Long-term therapy often necessary due to high recurrence rates (recurrence of disease).
- Maintenance dosing (step down) according to symptoms in more severe courses of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
- On demand therapy in milder courses of GERD with a dose every 2-3 days.
- Antacids (stomach acid neutralizing drugs, such as aluminum hydroxide/are incorrectly called stomach acid binders; for occasional heartburn).
- See also under “Further therapy”
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs; acid blockers):
Supplements (dietary supplements; vital substances)
Suitable dietary supplements should contain the following vital substances:
- Minerals (calcium, magnesium)
Note: The listed vital substances are not a substitute for drug therapy. Food supplements are intended to supplement the general diet in the particular life situation.
