There are many words that we hear on the tube today for acid reflux; heartburn, GERD. In any case they are all the same thing. Acid reflux can be debilitating. It is a disease that affects many Americans. I have acid reflux and have had since a teenager. Some doctors thought I had an ulcer or H-pylori but neither of these two common diagnoses were true in my case.
In my case I have been told by doctor after doctor that my symptoms are not usual for heartburn. Since I am always looking to loose weight, feeling famished all the time is not a good thing. I know I am not starving because I have just eaten a huge meal when it happens or I could have had a small meal. It happens anyway -- unless I take pills for heartburn. I have an over productive acid producing stomach system. I can also begin my morning with a desire to eat a 3-course meal.
Acid reflux is more than just a nuisance. People who have untreated chronic indigestion or heartburn do not realize that the lining of their esophagus is at risk of being eaten away or worse getting cancer. In simple terms the esophagus is a tube that is approximately 9 inches long that connects your pharynx (throat) to your stomach. The reflux part of this disease is acid, bile, and pepsin that is up-chucked into your throat and burns away at the lining of your throat. My reflux just makes me feel very hungry even when I know I am not.
Treatment could be as easy as taking an over the counter medication like Zantac or Prilosec. Both of these drugs used to be obtained by prescription only but the patent ran out so it is now offered at your drug store over the counter. You may have to ask someone to help you since they keep these and other costly medications locked in special cabinets that require an attendant?s assistance.
In the event that your neighborhood pharmacist cannot help provide relief for your stomach acids you will need to see a doctor to rule out other more serious stomach issues. An internist or a gastrologist is recommended since both treat those areas of the body. A gastrologist is a stomach doctor. Diagnostic tests will usually need to be ordered and they are not cheap so make sure that both the doctors and the clinics that do the testing are on your insurance and in network. Take nothing for granted.
Relief could be as easy as taking a prescription pills each day and avoiding acid reflux foods. I take Prevacid, the over the counters do not work for me. Get help now!
Unless pregnant, once you begin experiencing acid reflux it is usually a lifelong ailment. I can attest to that fact since I have at it since I was 19 and am now over 50 years old. I M U S T take my medication everyday rain of shine or I will experience symptoms. It has never gotten any better.
Generally after meal time is when most people feel the effects of acid reflux. The contents of their stomach trigger the digestive acids that are required to digest food normally. What goes wrong for sufferers is that the biles and acids are not confine to the stomach but regurgitate into the throat. It affects some people a lot more severely than what I experience. For some it is so bad it is likened to a heart attack. Why not get treated? Why would you wait around and not take care of yourself? What is stopping you?
I have a brother who consumed Tums at an alarming rate. He hadn't noticed his habit until I asked him about it. He said he had heartburn constantly so I suggested Prilosec. He now takes this little pill each day and he feels much better. From time to time he says taking two in a day, like Thanksgiving does the trick. He is now symptom free.
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