For people with occasional
heartburn, non-prescription medicines like
antacids can provide heartburn relief, but they do not provide a cure. People who have heartburn more than twice a week or who don't find relief with antacids may have a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or
GERD for short.
GERD is a condition in which stomach acids have damaged the esophagus. In these cases, it may be possible to eliminate heartburn. If the esophagus can heal,
heartburn symptoms can improve. This does not mean that the heartburn would be cured, however, because the underlying cause of GERD may still be present. Heartburn symptoms can always return at a later time.
There are several ways to treat GERD, depending on the severity and frequency of symptoms. In about 80 percent of GERD cases, heartburn will disappear when the GERD is properly treated.
A Summary of Heartburn Cure
Heartburn is one of the most common complaints in today's society. With so many people having heartburn, research scientists are actively trying to find a heartburn cure. In the meantime, the majority of people can find heartburn relief through lifestyle changes (such as losing weight and quitting the use of tobacco products) and taking medication when needed.