Suggest Treatment For Regular Belching And Heartburn

Posted on Sat, 21 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 20 Mar 2015 Answered on

Fri, 10 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : A 68 yo female complaining of reflux symptoms of burping and heartburn. What is the diagnosis and how should it be treated

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

GERD is the most likely diagnosis. In cases like this endoscopic evaluation is warranted to assess for esophageal lesions (esophagitis etc).
Treating GERD requires diet changes and drugs. Avoiding big meals is essential. The patient should also avoid fatty meals, smoking, coffee, orange juice etc. Eating frequent small meals is better than eating a single large meal.

Drug treatment may be different depending on endoscopic findings. Proton pump inhibitors are the mainstay of treatment.

If esophagitis is present then the highest doses should be used.

I hope I've helped!
If you'd like me to clarify anything, please let me know and I'll be glad to do it.

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (14 minutes later)

Thank you so much! I was right on target. :)

Would the best med to use be omeprazole 20 mg daily?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Intravenous omeprazole has to be used

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

intravenous omeprazole 40mg twice daily has to be used for optimal protection.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar