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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Nexium Safe To Be Taken For Severe Acid Reflux?

I have just been diagnosed with severe acid reflux, although I have no symptoms, and a hiatal hernia. I was experiencing difficulty swallowing so they did 2 endoscopies and stretched my esophagus and did a barium swallow test. They have put me on Nexium. Why do some people get prescribed H2 blockers and some proton pump inhibitors? What is the difference? As long as these things help with my swallowing, am I safe to not do anything else about the hiatal hernia or the acid reflux? Since I don t experience symptoms of acid reflux, how will I know if it is getting better with the Nexium/
Mon, 30 Oct 2017
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General Surgeon 's  Response
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history and understood your concerns.
This is very tricky as you do not have symptoms but then why were the endoscopies done at all. Well, Nexium helps to neutralize the acid in stomach by proton pump inhibition and Ranitidine helps for the same by its H2 blocker action.
Wither of these should help you.
Since you have hiatus hernia too, it is not necessary that it gives symptoms unless it is large.
So wait and watch is the policy.
You can certainly take the medication for 6 weeks and see the results. There may be some improvement for the minor symptoms that you have not noticed but become apparent after a proper management.
Also take small frequent meals.
Avoid any activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure too much.
Also see for any development of new symptoms and report to your Doctor to get investigated and treated accordingly.
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Is Nexium Safe To Be Taken For Severe Acid Reflux?

Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted the history and understood your concerns. This is very tricky as you do not have symptoms but then why were the endoscopies done at all. Well, Nexium helps to neutralize the acid in stomach by proton pump inhibition and Ranitidine helps for the same by its H2 blocker action. Wither of these should help you. Since you have hiatus hernia too, it is not necessary that it gives symptoms unless it is large. So wait and watch is the policy. You can certainly take the medication for 6 weeks and see the results. There may be some improvement for the minor symptoms that you have not noticed but become apparent after a proper management. Also take small frequent meals. Avoid any activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure too much. Also see for any development of new symptoms and report to your Doctor to get investigated and treated accordingly.