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Acid Reflux. Taking Prilosec. Pain In Ears, Throat, Constipated. Am I On Menopause? Suggest?
Question: Hi! Over the last 2 months or so I have had trouble with what I think may be acid reflux. I've changed my diet and have taken prilosec for the suggested 2 week period. That seemed to help a bit. I have a constant pressure and pain in my throat (at the point where the isthmus is located) and also pressure and pain in my ears. I am constipated a lot of the time and nothing seems to help. Also, I'm very gassy I've lost about 6 pounds since this all began, but I'm sure that is because I don't want to eat too much because it makes all of these symptoms worse. I'm also tired a lot of the time, especially after eating. I have no choice but to take a nap after eating! I have achy joints a lot of the time, but I think this is due to menopause. I am on the Combi Patch. Any suggestions you can give me would be a great help! Thanks! B. XXXXXXX
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query. Two possibilities are coming to my mind from your symptoms.
1) The first possibility is of gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is usually after eating a heavy fatty meal and sedentary lifestyle. It can also be caused by drinking too much alcohol, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, stress or infection with bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).
2) Second possibility is of middle ear to the back of the throat and when this tube is blocked then it may cause fluid build up in ear and hence pain and pressure in ears and throat.
You need to consult a physician and get these possibilities ruled out. You may need a hydrogen breath test to rule out any H. pylori infection and an ENT examination as well. Till that time, make some lifestyle changes which will help in decreasing the symptoms:
1) Eat healthy, nutritious food and take it 2 hrs prior to bedtime. Also keep the head end of your bed elevated by two blocks and avoid eating a single, heavy meal.
2) Alterations in diet, like gradual addition of more fibre in your diet like whole grain breads, XXXXXXX leafy vegetables & fruits can ease your symptoms. Avoid taking cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, beans and lentils, caffeinated drinks (tea, coffee) aerated drinks, fried and spicy foods.
3) Also drink plenty of fluids and water and try to stop alcohol if there is history of intake of any such substance. Also start doing daily exercises, brisk walks, XXXXXXX breathing exercises which help in decreasing acid production.
Hope this answers your query.
If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks for posting your query. Two possibilities are coming to my mind from your symptoms.
1) The first possibility is of gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is usually after eating a heavy fatty meal and sedentary lifestyle. It can also be caused by drinking too much alcohol, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, stress or infection with bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).
2) Second possibility is of middle ear to the back of the throat and when this tube is blocked then it may cause fluid build up in ear and hence pain and pressure in ears and throat.
You need to consult a physician and get these possibilities ruled out. You may need a hydrogen breath test to rule out any H. pylori infection and an ENT examination as well. Till that time, make some lifestyle changes which will help in decreasing the symptoms:
1) Eat healthy, nutritious food and take it 2 hrs prior to bedtime. Also keep the head end of your bed elevated by two blocks and avoid eating a single, heavy meal.
2) Alterations in diet, like gradual addition of more fibre in your diet like whole grain breads, XXXXXXX leafy vegetables & fruits can ease your symptoms. Avoid taking cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, beans and lentils, caffeinated drinks (tea, coffee) aerated drinks, fried and spicy foods.
3) Also drink plenty of fluids and water and try to stop alcohol if there is history of intake of any such substance. Also start doing daily exercises, brisk walks, XXXXXXX breathing exercises which help in decreasing acid production.
Hope this answers your query.
If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank You for your prompt reply!
I do not drink alcohol, but I had been taking quite a few ibuprofen on a daily basis for joint pain (usually 4 or 5). I have a very physical job and am on my feet 8-9 hours a day 5 days a week. Also lots of lifting involved, up to 40 lbs. I read that NSAIDS could be part of the problem, so I stopped taking them right away. I'm really hoping that all the changes I'm making in diet and life style changes will make this go away, but I will make an appointment with my doctor. I'm having a bit of trouble giving up coffee, but I have cut back to one cup in the morning. My job starts at 4am...
One more thing to add... I have a horrible snoring problem, so I have raised the head of my bed for that reason. It did help the snoring problem somewhat. I still snore and my husband says it seems to come from my throat. It doesn't matter if I'm sleeping on my back or my side, I still snore. Better now since I raised the head of the bed
Thanks again for your help!
I do not drink alcohol, but I had been taking quite a few ibuprofen on a daily basis for joint pain (usually 4 or 5). I have a very physical job and am on my feet 8-9 hours a day 5 days a week. Also lots of lifting involved, up to 40 lbs. I read that NSAIDS could be part of the problem, so I stopped taking them right away. I'm really hoping that all the changes I'm making in diet and life style changes will make this go away, but I will make an appointment with my doctor. I'm having a bit of trouble giving up coffee, but I have cut back to one cup in the morning. My job starts at 4am...
One more thing to add... I have a horrible snoring problem, so I have raised the head of my bed for that reason. It did help the snoring problem somewhat. I still snore and my husband says it seems to come from my throat. It doesn't matter if I'm sleeping on my back or my side, I still snore. Better now since I raised the head of the bed
Thanks again for your help!
Hello,
Thanks for writing back.
If the symptoms of acid reflux persists then you may also need antacids and proton pump inhibitor drugs like omeprazole or rabeprazole for controlling the stomach acid. These are available only under prescription.
Snoring can be caused by narrowing in the nose, mouth, or throat and can be due to obstruction of the nasal passages like deviation of the nasal septum, allergies, sinus infections, swelling of the turbinates, or large adenoids (tonsils in the back of the throat); any mouth breathing and enlarged tonsils and abnormally long or thick uvula.
Hope this answers your query.
If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks for writing back.
If the symptoms of acid reflux persists then you may also need antacids and proton pump inhibitor drugs like omeprazole or rabeprazole for controlling the stomach acid. These are available only under prescription.
Snoring can be caused by narrowing in the nose, mouth, or throat and can be due to obstruction of the nasal passages like deviation of the nasal septum, allergies, sinus infections, swelling of the turbinates, or large adenoids (tonsils in the back of the throat); any mouth breathing and enlarged tonsils and abnormally long or thick uvula.
Hope this answers your query.
If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you good health.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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