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How Can Acid Reflux Be Treated?
Hi doctor, I have had really bad acid reflex and heart burn for the past 5 years and it has slowly gotten worse. Ive taken a prescription omeprazole in the morning and a Zantac at night for about 10 days now. That has helped with normal eating, but I went for a run and it was worse than it s ever been. What should I do?
Mon, 25 Sep 2017
Lifestyle changes may help reduce the frequency of heartburn. Consider trying to:
Maintain a healthy weight. Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up your stomach and causing acid to back up into your esophagus.
Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Clothes that fit tightly around your waist put pressure on your abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter.
Avoid foods and drinks that trigger heartburn. Everyone has specific triggers. Common triggers such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and caffeine may make heartburn worse. Avoid foods you know will trigger your heartburn.
Eat smaller meals. Avoid overeating by eating smaller meals.
Don't lie down after a meal. Wait at least three hours after eating before lying down or going to bed.
Elevate the head of your bed. If you regularly experience heartburn at night or while trying to sleep, put gravity to work for you. Place wood or cement blocks under the feet of your bed so that the head end is raised by 6 to 9 inches. Raising your head with additional pillows is not effective.
Don't smoke. Smoking decreases the lower esophageal sphincter's ability to function properly.
Relaxation therapies. Techniques to calm stress and anxiety may reduce signs and symptoms of GERD. Ask your doctor about relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery.
Contiune just with your omeprazole for 6- weeks and if you still persist to have symptoms get an upper GI endocsopy done to rule out any oesapgeal malignancy.
Maintain a healthy weight. Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up your stomach and causing acid to back up into your esophagus.
Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Clothes that fit tightly around your waist put pressure on your abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter.
Avoid foods and drinks that trigger heartburn. Everyone has specific triggers. Common triggers such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and caffeine may make heartburn worse. Avoid foods you know will trigger your heartburn.
Eat smaller meals. Avoid overeating by eating smaller meals.
Don't lie down after a meal. Wait at least three hours after eating before lying down or going to bed.
Elevate the head of your bed. If you regularly experience heartburn at night or while trying to sleep, put gravity to work for you. Place wood or cement blocks under the feet of your bed so that the head end is raised by 6 to 9 inches. Raising your head with additional pillows is not effective.
Don't smoke. Smoking decreases the lower esophageal sphincter's ability to function properly.
Relaxation therapies. Techniques to calm stress and anxiety may reduce signs and symptoms of GERD. Ask your doctor about relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery.
Contiune just with your omeprazole for 6- weeks and if you still persist to have symptoms get an upper GI endocsopy done to rule out any oesapgeal malignancy.
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