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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Acid Reflux

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Posted on Wed, 4 Jun 2014
Question: i have had severe acid flux which caused burning in my throat , i was on 80 mg nexium for 2 weeks and am now down 2 40 , i was symptom free for a few days but the slight burning in throat has returned again at night , i take the 40 before e bed

doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Chronic acid reflux needs at least 8 to 12 weeks treatment to help it subside.

2. Take the tablet early in the morning half an hour before breakfast on an empty stomach. You will find that the dose works all day long.

3. To avoid night time reflux, have your dinner early (at least a couple of hours before lying down). Raise the head end of your bed by 4 to 6 inches. Avoid foods which increase reflux and eat a light dinner. You have not mentioned your weight or whether you snore. Avoid stress, tight clothing and belts.

4. Besides Nexium (esomeprazole) take a trial with other similar medications such as omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole. Addition of a gut motility enhancer such as domperidone or levolsulpiride may help. Mucaine Gel may help reduce the burning on bad days (not for continuous use).

Hope, I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (21 minutes later)
Still like 2 ask if in ur opinion 80 mg 4 2 weeks should have stopped it , is this an unusually high dose, ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Over suppression of acid secretion in the stomach affects digestion.

2. The full dose is used for a week or two, then reduced for maintenance.

3. Taking an early morning dose gives a good cover for 18-20 hours, allowing some time for normal acid function. Reducing the production helps reduce the quantum of acid reflux. However it is necessary to check if the reflux is still persistent and to rule out other factors such as hiatus (sliding) hernia, h.pylori infection, reflux of digestive enzymes, esophageal pressure and pH changes and so on.

4. Short term doses up to 160 mg per day have been used safely.

Hope, I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (3 hours later)
Should I take 40 nexium twice daily? As the symptoms don't seem 2 respond 2 just 40 ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Yes, you may increase the dose for a few days. Do remember to consider the supportive medication listed in Point No. 4 of the first answer. These medications will help you reduce the dose of Nexium.

2. I would request you to provide me with detailed reports to rule out the conditions listed in Point No. 3 in the answer above.

Hope, I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (2 hours later)
I do have a sliding hiatus hernia , which was diagnosed from an endoscopy three years ago, I have been on nexium since Decmber , as I had a bad fare up following a uri . If I'm on 80a day now , how long before I can expect relief from burning throat symptoms
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. The severity of the type of the hiatus hernia will add to the severity of the reflux. Has your hiatus hernia been studied in detail and classified?

2. You can expect relief in about two weeks. It is recommended that you add the supportive treatment mentioned above for early relief. With a sliding hernia, some element of chronic reflux will persist, requiring continuous treatment measures.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 2685 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Acid Reflux

Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. Chronic acid reflux needs at least 8 to 12 weeks treatment to help it subside. 2. Take the tablet early in the morning half an hour before breakfast on an empty stomach. You will find that the dose works all day long. 3. To avoid night time reflux, have your dinner early (at least a couple of hours before lying down). Raise the head end of your bed by 4 to 6 inches. Avoid foods which increase reflux and eat a light dinner. You have not mentioned your weight or whether you snore. Avoid stress, tight clothing and belts. 4. Besides Nexium (esomeprazole) take a trial with other similar medications such as omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole. Addition of a gut motility enhancer such as domperidone or levolsulpiride may help. Mucaine Gel may help reduce the burning on bad days (not for continuous use). Hope, I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them. Regards.