Acid reflux disease or GERD, as you may have heard in the media is, at least for me, a catch all phrase for mild to chronic indigestion. I do not have an ulcer. I do not have H-pylori and I do not have heartburn, per se, but I am and have been since I was 19-years old, treated for acid reflux disease.
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.
Chronic heartburn can be more than just a bother. Those of us that have this ailment are at risk of having their throats worn away by the bile and acids that are produced in the stomach for digestive purposes. Acid reflux could even cause cancer. Going without treatment can risk the esophagus that attaches your stomach to your throat to permanent damage by acids. Reflux can be as serious as constantly throwing up the bile, acid and pepsin that your stomach produces normally to aid in digestion. In my case I just feel so ravenous and I know that I am not because I just ate.
Visit your local drug store and speak to the pharmacist. They will have suggestions and recommendations for heartburn. It could be that simple. Drugs such as Zantac and Prilosec used to be only available through a doctors prescription but not anymore. You can get a 30-day supply just by walking into your drug store and asking for it. The drug stores do keep these more expensive drugs under lock and key and it will require a drug store attendant to get them for you.
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!
Those that have acid reflux usually never get over it. I guess you could say there is no cure. They must learn to live with it like I did. I take one pill a day since I was 19 and sweat by it.
After a meal is when most people experience most severe symptoms. That is when the gastric juices are at their most active. Pepsin is activated to begin the digestive process for food absorption into the system. Not eating late at night is helpful as well as not eating acid reflux foods. Some say it feels like a heart attached while others actually vomit into their throats. Mine, like I said, just makes me feel ravenous. I think I got off luckier than most. Either way ? get treated. Do something. It is not going away and it can only get worse.
I had a Tums devouring brother who didn't realize he had a serious problem until I finally asked him what was the deal. He said he hadn't noticed how much he depended on Rolaids and Tums. He takes a pill a day (and sometimes two on Thanksgiving of Super Bowel Sunday) and he doesn't feel the symptoms anymore.
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