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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Frequent Acid Reflux?

I hae been having requent hearbun or acid reflux - its so bad my stomach would be burning. So i take a couple zantac when it occurs. Let me give you an example last saturday it got so bad i had to take medicine then again on Sunday and Monday, 3 days in a row then it wont happen for like 2 weeks then it would happen again 2 or 3 nights in a row. Now I dont believe it has anything to do with what I eat because i pretty much have been eating the same things my whole life. Im getting worried now that it may be a signal of something serious. Also can you tell me how to differentiate between heartburn and acid reflux?
Wed, 10 Aug 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
You are suffering from gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). In this, the contents of the stomach come back into the esophagus (the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach). There are several reasons why people have GERD. One possible reason has to do with the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus. Normally, this muscle closes to keep food and stomach acid from coming back up the esophagus. In some people with GERD, this muscle does not always work right. GERD often causes heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest and throat. Heartburn may happen many times a week, especially after eating or at night. GERD can also cause you to cough or have asthma symptoms. Treatment options are medicines, surgery and endoscopic treatment. Lifestyle changes are also advised.
Advice
1.     Omeprazole 20 mg per oral empty stomach in the morning. Reflux symptoms tend to be chronic. Thus, a common management strategy is indefinite treatment with medicines as necessary for symptom control
2.     Maintain a healthy weight„
3.     Quit smoking
4.     Limit alcohol „
5.     Avoid eating 3 hours before lying down„
6.     Raise the head of your bed „
7.     Avoid spicy foods, fatty foods, mint, chocolate, tomato-based foods, coffee, and citrus fruits
Thanks
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What Causes Frequent Acid Reflux?

You are suffering from gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). In this, the contents of the stomach come back into the esophagus (the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach). There are several reasons why people have GERD. One possible reason has to do with the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus. Normally, this muscle closes to keep food and stomach acid from coming back up the esophagus. In some people with GERD, this muscle does not always work right. GERD often causes heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest and throat. Heartburn may happen many times a week, especially after eating or at night. GERD can also cause you to cough or have asthma symptoms. Treatment options are medicines, surgery and endoscopic treatment. Lifestyle changes are also advised. Advice 1. Omeprazole 20 mg per oral empty stomach in the morning. Reflux symptoms tend to be chronic. Thus, a common management strategy is indefinite treatment with medicines as necessary for symptom control 2. Maintain a healthy weight„ 3. Quit smoking 4. Limit alcohol „ 5. Avoid eating 3 hours before lying down„ 6. Raise the head of your bed „ 7. Avoid spicy foods, fatty foods, mint, chocolate, tomato-based foods, coffee, and citrus fruits Thanks