- Online Doctor
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux treatment available online today
Request treatment for acid reflux online from our trusted, board-certified doctors and find relief from pain and heartburn. Get a new prescription to treat acid reflux or refill an existing prescription today.
Book an appointmentRequest treatment for acid reflux online from our trusted, board-certified doctors and find relief from pain and heartburn. Get a new prescription to treat acid reflux or refill an existing prescription today.
Medication services available for adults and kids (3+)
Top quality, board-certified doctors
Insurance accepted, but not required
Prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy*
*Prescriptions provided at doctor’s discretion
We accept these insurance plans and many more!
Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Otherwise, new patient visits are $129, and follow-ups are only $69 for members.
Don’t see your provider listed? Email [email protected] or call (888) 564-4454 to talk to a PlushCare specialist.
3 simple steps to request treatment for acid reflux today
Step 1
Book an acid reflux treatment request appointment.
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Talk to your medical provider regarding your acid reflux symptoms.
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
Pick up a prescription to treat acid reflux.
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Acid reflux treatment pricing details
How pricing works
To request acid reflux treatment and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.
Paying with insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
Copay
For all visits
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price with insurance
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
- We accept these insurance plans and many more:
Paying without insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
$129
Repeats only $69
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $69 for active members.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Learn about acid reflux
Acid reflux is a common condition that happens when contents from your stomach flow back up into your esophagus. It often occurs along with a burning pain, known as heartburn, in the lower chest area.
If you experience acid reflux more than twice a week, you might have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a more severe form of acid reflux. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, GERD affects approximately 20 percent of people in the United States.
Acid reflux causes
Acid reflux is caused by the flow of gastric acid and bile into the esophagus. A ring of muscle, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), serves as a valve that lets food into the stomach but not back up into the esophagus. When this valve fails, stomach contents can move back up into the esophagus.
When this happens, it can lead to heartburn and regurgitation. The stomach lining is equipped to handle hydrochloric acid, which helps break down food and protect against pathogens. However, the esophagus is not protected.
Some possible causes of acid reflux include:
Hiatal hernia: This occurs when a part of the stomach moves above the diaphragm toward the chest. If the diaphragm is compromised, the lower esophageal sphincter may send stomach contents back into the esophagus.
Eating larger meals: Large meals can cause distension of the upper part of the stomach. Due to the lack of pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, the valve has trouble closing properly.
Lying down after large meals: This can also reduce pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, disrupting its normal function.
Acid reflux symptoms
The main symptom of acid reflux is heartburn. Heartburn can cause an uncomfortable burning feeling in the chest area, which can move into your neck and throat. Heartburn feels worse when bending over or lying down, and it can last for several hours.
If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you might notice a bitter or sour taste toward the back of your mouth. GERD can also cause the regurgitation of food or liquid from your stomach into your mouth.
Some other GERD symptoms include:
Nausea
Chest pain
Chronic cough
Difficulty swallowing
Sore throat
Bad breath
Stomach acid regurgitation
How to treat acid reflux
In many cases, health care providers recommend lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications to treat acid reflux. Meanwhile, the main treatment options for people who frequently experience gastroesophageal reflux disease include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers.
Treatment can help relieve symptoms, decrease acid production, and heal irritation of the esophagus to prevent long-term complications. For people with GERD, long-term treatment and lifestyle changes are often required to prevent complications and control symptoms.
Acid reflux medication
There are several types of medications that can effectively treat GERD, reflux, and heartburn symptoms. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend the following medications:
Proton pump inhibitors, including omeprazole, rabeprazole, and esomeprazole
H2 blockers, including cimetidine and famotidine
Over-the-counter treatments, such as antacids
Alginate drugs, including Gaviscon
PPIs and H2 blockers reduce acid production and lower the potential for damage caused by acid reflux. These medications are generally safe, but like any prescription drug, they are not appropriate for everyone with reflux disease.If you experience heartburn or other symptoms, talk to your doctor to determine the best treatment option. If your gastroesophageal reflux disease is unresponsive to medical treatment, your doctor may recommend surgical intervention.
How to prevent acid reflux
For most people, lifestyle modifications and dietary changes can help reduce reflux. Lifestyle changes to help reduce heartburn include:
Improving posture
Wearing loose-fitting clothing
Maintaining a healthy weight
Avoiding increased pressure on your abdomen (i.e., from wearing tight clothing)
Quitting smoking
In addition, some dietary changes to help prevent acid reflux and heartburn include:
Reducing your alcohol and caffeine consumption
Avoiding certain foods that make symptoms worse, such as carbonated beverages, spicy foods, and fried foods
Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
Increasing your dietary fiber intake
Not lying down 2–3 hours after a meal
When to see a doctor for acid reflux
It is important to talk to your doctor about reflux symptoms to prevent long-term complications. Some signs that damage has already occurred include:
Difficulty swallowing or feeling like food is trapped behind your chest
Blood in your vomit or bowel movements
Shortness of breath, coughing, or choking sensation
Weight loss
If you do not notice any symptom improvement with at-home treatments and lifestyle changes, book an appointment with one of our board-certified doctors to discuss your treatment options.
Related conditions to acid reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most closely related condition to acid reflux. Most people experience reflux from time to time, but if you experience reflux more than twice per week, you may have GERD.
GERD is a long-lasting health condition that can lead to complications over time. Without treatment, GERD can lead to esophagitis, esophageal stricture, and other complications outside the esophagus.
Fortunately, most people can manage GERD symptoms with lifestyle changes and OTC medications. In some cases, people with GERD may need stronger medications or minimally invasive surgery to reduce acid reflux.
Acid reflux treatment FAQs
What foods should I avoid eating with acid reflux?
While trigger foods can vary from person to person, some common trigger foods include:
Fried foods
Fatty foods
Fast food
Pizza
Potato chips and other processed snacks
Spicy food, including chili powder and pepper
Fatty meats, including bacon and sausage
Cheese
Alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated drinks
Can acid reflux damage your organs?
In general, occasional reflux is not associated with long-term or serious health complications. However, when gastroesophageal reflux disease is left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including:
Esophagitis
Stomach ulcers
Strictures
Aspiration pneumonia
Barrett's esophagus
Does water help with acid reflux?
Yes, drinking water, low-fat milk, and herbal teas can help reduce reflux. Studies show that frequently sipping water, especially alkaline electrolyzed water, can help clear acid from the esophagus.
Meanwhile, beverages such as coffee, soda, and acidic juices can increase your risk of reflux symptoms.
Does stress make acid reflux worse?
Yes, stress can make acid reflux worse. Emotional stress can increase the production of stomach acid, which can contribute to reflux disease. In people with GERD, stress can further aggravate the lower esophageal sphincter, which can bring on the symptoms of acid reflux.
Is acid reflux worse when you are sleeping?
Yes, acid reflux is worse when you are laying down. When you are not sitting upright, it is more difficult for gravity to push food down your digestive tract.
In addition, lying down prevents gravity from keeping bile and acids from traveling back up into your esophagus. In some cases, the flow of acid from the stomach back into the esophagus can reach as high as the throat, leading to a choking sensation.
As a result, many people find that heartburn is worse at night. If you frequently experience heartburn at night, try using a foam wedge to raise your head and chest.