Acid reflux and heartburn treatment online
Burning behind the breastbone after meals, a sour taste at night? A licensed provider can help you get acid reflux under control online – lifestyle changes that work, and prescription medicine when you need it.
- Licensed providers
- Same-day visits, usually
- Video or phone
Get started Members: request a visit
Written by the CheckMD care team · Updated
Signs of acid reflux
Acid reflux happens when stomach acid flows back into the food pipe. When it happens twice a week or more, it is called GERD. Common signs:
- A burning feeling in the chest or throat, often after eating or when lying down
- A sour or bitter taste, or food coming back up
- A hoarse voice, a sore throat or a cough that won't go away
- Trouble sleeping because of heartburn
How your provider can help
Your provider goes through your symptoms, diet, medicines and habits. Small changes make a big difference: smaller meals, not eating two to three hours before bed, raising the head of the bed, and cutting back on triggers such as alcohol, coffee, spicy or fatty food and smoking.
If that isn't enough, your provider can prescribe acid-reducing medicine and set a plan for how long to take it. Members already on reflux medicine can renew it through a visit.
Medicines your provider may prescribe
- Famotidine (Pepcid) – reduces stomach acid
- Proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole or pantoprazole for frequent heartburn
- Antacids for quick relief now and then
Only when it is right for you: your provider checks your symptoms, allergies, other medicines and health history first. Prescriptions go to the pharmacy you choose.
What you can do at home right now
- Eat smaller meals
- Don't eat in the 2 to 3 hours before bed
- Raise the head of your bed
- Cut back on alcohol, coffee and fatty food
Get urgent help for
- Chest pain or pressure, especially with shortness of breath, sweating or pain in the arm or jaw – call 911, it may be your heart
- Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or black, tarry stools
- Trouble swallowing, food getting stuck, or losing weight without trying
- Heartburn that started after age 60, or that doesn't improve with treatment
A virtual visit is not an emergency service. For chest pain, trouble breathing, severe bleeding, signs of a stroke or a serious injury, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) at any time.
Get help in three steps
Request a visit
Tell us what is going on and choose video or phone.
Talk to a provider
Usually the same day, often within hours.
Start feeling better
Get your care plan and any prescription at your pharmacy.
Questions about acid reflux
Can I take reflux medicine long term?
Some people need it, but it is best to use the lowest dose that works for the shortest time. Your provider will review this with you.
What causes GERD?
A weak valve between the food pipe and the stomach. Extra weight, pregnancy, smoking, large meals and some medicines make it more likely.
How do I know it is heartburn and not my heart?
You can't always tell. Chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or pain spreading to the arm or jaw needs 911, not a virtual visit.
How much does an online visit cost?
Visits are part of your CheckMD membership – one yearly price, and you don't need insurance. You pay the pharmacy for any medicine. See the current plans on our pricing page or read about telehealth without insurance.
Can I be seen today?
Most visits happen the same day. Request a visit, choose video or phone and pick the earliest time.
What if I don't get better?
Book a follow-up visit. Your provider can adjust your treatment or tell you where to be seen in person. If you get worse quickly, don't wait – get urgent care.
Feeling unwell? Talk to a provider today.
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