Whether GERD requires lifelong medication depends on the condition. For mild GERD, lifelong treatment is not required, only as needed; for those who stop taking medication and relapse soon, severe, esophageal stricture, Barrett’s esophagus, long-term treatment is required, and the exact duration depends on the condition, and lifelong treatment may or may not be required. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disease in which the contents of the stomach and duodenum reflux into the esophagus causing uncomfortable symptoms or complications, including reflux esophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease. 1. As-needed treatment: Non-erosive reflux disease and mild esophagitis can be treated as-needed, with medication used when there are symptoms and stopped when there are no symptoms. Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole and rabeprazole, are generally preferred. 2. Long-term treatment: For patients who have relapsed soon after stopping the medication and have persistent, severe esophagitis, esophageal stenosis, Barrett’s esophagus should be treated for a long period of time, and the specific duration of maintenance treatment depends on the condition of the patient. Proton pump inhibitors are generally preferred for maintenance therapy, such as omeprazole. Patients with GERD should go to the hospital and be treated under doctor’s supervision.