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Suggest Treatment For GERD And Acid Reflux
Question: Hey dr,
I have been a chronic sufferer of GERD for over two years now. I'm now 19 and I weigh 56kg. I have been on a PPI's twice in that time period for only one month at a time. The last couple months it hasn't been too bad though probaly the best it ever has been with only slight outbursts that have only been mild with just some chest pains, feeling of food in my throat and I have some lower right back pain from it but other than that not much and it's a lot less often. Now my diet isn't the best I do eat quite a bit of fast food and junk food like chocolates etc but I do try to supplement it with mainly drinking a lot of water, I don't have many sugary drinks and having a mix of fruits and vegetables every day. I also have a lot of adrenaline highs throughout the day if I get excited which I assume isn't good for acid reflux. Usually when I do get bad acid reflux I take Zantac 150mg or just Gaviscon if I get an outburst after food. I have just been reading up about Barrett's esophagus and Esophageal cancer and I was just wondering what I should do to prevent me from getting it in terms of diet and medication. How would I even be able to tell if I had it do you have to get some type of scan?
Kind Regards,
XXXX
I have been a chronic sufferer of GERD for over two years now. I'm now 19 and I weigh 56kg. I have been on a PPI's twice in that time period for only one month at a time. The last couple months it hasn't been too bad though probaly the best it ever has been with only slight outbursts that have only been mild with just some chest pains, feeling of food in my throat and I have some lower right back pain from it but other than that not much and it's a lot less often. Now my diet isn't the best I do eat quite a bit of fast food and junk food like chocolates etc but I do try to supplement it with mainly drinking a lot of water, I don't have many sugary drinks and having a mix of fruits and vegetables every day. I also have a lot of adrenaline highs throughout the day if I get excited which I assume isn't good for acid reflux. Usually when I do get bad acid reflux I take Zantac 150mg or just Gaviscon if I get an outburst after food. I have just been reading up about Barrett's esophagus and Esophageal cancer and I was just wondering what I should do to prevent me from getting it in terms of diet and medication. How would I even be able to tell if I had it do you have to get some type of scan?
Kind Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Barrett's is extremely UNLIKELY; Cancer is OUT of question. NO worries
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting query at HCM.
You maybe familiar with the common mechanism of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) ; however i will briefly explain:
Food enters in to stomach from esophagus via lower esophageal sphincter (LES) . If XXXXXXX fails to close/contract effectively food content from stomach may reflux into the esphagus leading to GERD.
Certain food may lead to relaxation of XXXXXXX and/or increase gastric acid production. :
1. chocolate 2. caffeine. 3 Alcohol. 4. fatty meal. 5. citrus fruit and tomato
Barrett's esophagus occurs when the normal cells that line "the lower part" of the esophagus (called squamous cells) are replaced by a different cell type (called intestinal cells). This process usually occurs as a result of repetitive damage to the inside of the esophagus caused by "longstanding" acid reflux disease, called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Long history of Barrett's may Lead to Cancer.
At your age - your 19, Barrett's is extremely UNLIKELY and very rare;
Cancer is OUT of question.
therefore, NO worries
"longstanding" is the keyword and it may take years for barretts to develop. however, NOT all patients with gerd develop barretts. some patients wont develop with a history of 20years.
so do not worry.
You are NOT at risk BUT those "at risk" for Barrett's are usually advised to have upper GI endoscopy every 2 to 3 years.
If you have a history of GERD that has been treated successfuly , then advise is:
1. avoid chocolates; carbonated drinks,
2. avoid tomato juice, decrease salt intake
3. minimum alcohol intake and try quit smoking ( if your a smoker)
4. eat your dinner at least 2 to 3 hours before going to bed
5. raise your head by placing two pillows under your head before sleeping
Hope to answer your concern
Further questions are most welcome
Regards
Dr Tayyab Malik
Barrett's is extremely UNLIKELY; Cancer is OUT of question. NO worries
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting query at HCM.
You maybe familiar with the common mechanism of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) ; however i will briefly explain:
Food enters in to stomach from esophagus via lower esophageal sphincter (LES) . If XXXXXXX fails to close/contract effectively food content from stomach may reflux into the esphagus leading to GERD.
Certain food may lead to relaxation of XXXXXXX and/or increase gastric acid production. :
1. chocolate 2. caffeine. 3 Alcohol. 4. fatty meal. 5. citrus fruit and tomato
Barrett's esophagus occurs when the normal cells that line "the lower part" of the esophagus (called squamous cells) are replaced by a different cell type (called intestinal cells). This process usually occurs as a result of repetitive damage to the inside of the esophagus caused by "longstanding" acid reflux disease, called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Long history of Barrett's may Lead to Cancer.
At your age - your 19, Barrett's is extremely UNLIKELY and very rare;
Cancer is OUT of question.
therefore, NO worries
"longstanding" is the keyword and it may take years for barretts to develop. however, NOT all patients with gerd develop barretts. some patients wont develop with a history of 20years.
so do not worry.
You are NOT at risk BUT those "at risk" for Barrett's are usually advised to have upper GI endoscopy every 2 to 3 years.
If you have a history of GERD that has been treated successfuly , then advise is:
1. avoid chocolates; carbonated drinks,
2. avoid tomato juice, decrease salt intake
3. minimum alcohol intake and try quit smoking ( if your a smoker)
4. eat your dinner at least 2 to 3 hours before going to bed
5. raise your head by placing two pillows under your head before sleeping
Hope to answer your concern
Further questions are most welcome
Regards
Dr Tayyab Malik
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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