Heartburn (reflux or GERD)

What is it?

Also known as “HEARTBURN”, or Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease, GERD is caused by stomach acid spilling out of the stomach and “refluxing” into the food tube (the esophagus). It can lead to chest discomfort, often described as a burning feeling, and is usually worse after meals or when lying down. It can also cause a sour taste in the mouth, a chronic cough, hoarse voice, or night sweats. Since other, more serious medical problems can trigger these symptoms, see your healthcare provider to make sure you have the right diagnosis.

Some helpful tips to avoid heartburn after meals:

Techniques: Elevate the head of the bed to about 30°. This uses gravity to keep the stomach acid in the stomach. Do this by using pillows placed long-ways, so that they prop up the entire upper half of your body (not just your neck). Wood blocks or bricks under the mattress can also be used.

After a meal, wait an hour and a half before lying down. This allows time for food to pass from the stomach into the intestines, so there will be less acid around to cause heartburn.

Be careful with these trigger foods: It is not always necessary to avoid these foods completely, but be aware of which foods make your symptoms worse.

Spicy meals (like onions or peppers)
Greasy meals
Large meals
Soda, Tea, Coffee
Acidic foods (citric acid, tomatoes, etc.)
Chocolate
Alcohol
Mint or Peppermint

Medicines:

Prilosec OTC (the generic name is omeprazole) is in a class called Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). It used to be prescription only but recently went “over-the-counter” because it was found to be effective and safe for long-term use. The usual dose is one pill (20 mg) ONCE every day on an empty stomach, best taken about fifteen minutes prior to a meal. If this does not help your symptoms after 7 days, see your health care provider. This can be found in any grocery store or pharmacy.
Other PPIs (Nexium, Aciphex, Protonix, Prevacid, etc.) are prescription only and expensive. Some insurances will not cover these medicines.