Heartburn, GERD, Acid reflux disease or whatever you want to call it are terms that are used to describe anything from mild indigestion to severe digestive distress that feels like a heart attack. I do not have, nor have I ever had an ulcer, H-pylori or any other stomach ailment but I have been treated for acid reflux for 30-years.
My symptoms are unusual. I feel hungry all the time even when I am not. With my constant battle against the bulge this ?feeling hungry? does not help my waistline at all. The reason I know I am not hungry is because I just ate. Thirty minutes later I am starved. My stomach just produces too much acid hence heartburn and acid reflux. I also wake up in the morning with a giant appetite. I could eat a horse.
The symptoms of acid reflux should be considered as much more than just an inconvenience. Sufferers run the risk of having their esophagus wear away by the unwanted acid, bile and pepsin that is produced in the stomach to aid in normal digestion. What is not normal is that this same bile, acid and pepsin can “back up” into the throat and cause a burning sensation and inflame the esophagus, your throat. Prolonged symptoms can damage your throat and even cause cancer. You can even experience heart attack like symptoms as well as, the more common, throat confined throw up.
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.
Wouldn’t you be elated if relief was just taking one pill once a day? It could be that simple. Don’t procrastinate and get yourself some help right away!
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.
Most of the time after a meal is when you will expect to have symptoms. Think about how your stomachs tarts to digest the meal you just consumed and needs those acids to break the substances down so that it can be absorbed by your system. People vary on how badly they feel. Upon occasion acid reflux been confused as a heart in some sufferers. Other may only vomit into their throats. I just feel hungry. I am more than pleased my symptoms are not more severe. Don’t sit around and not get help. This is not the time to stick your head in the sand. From all statistics it will not subside with time only get worse.
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.
