Frequently, people will say, “I can’t eat that, it acts up on me.” Perhaps they will say, “It’s my sinuses…my allergies.” Then, there is, “Excuse me, where is your bathroom?” “I need to find a bathroom.” If you are “health-problem-nosy” like I am, you may have asked what they are doing about their heartburn, sinuses, allergies or frequency. Then you hear that they tried a few things, but they did not work. If you ask if they let their primary doctor know about it, they often get a far away look in their eyes, and their voice trails off as they tell you, “No.”

      For the next five articles, health problems that people allow to become a part of their un-wellness will be discussed. This time the focus will be on heartburn. The medical name for heartburn is gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

     It has been estimated that a little over one-third of the US population experiences the symptoms of GERD at least once a month. If a person has these symptoms more than two or three times a week, they need to seek medical attention. (Dr. Philip Katz, MD, Chief of Gastroenterology at the Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa.) To determine if you are suffering from GERD, ask yourself these questions:

• Do you take antacids often?
• Do you have a bitter-acid taste in your mouth after eating or when you awake?
• Do you experience a burning feeling behind the breastbone (sternum)?

     A special reminder is important here. Remember you could interpret it as “heartburn” when the discomfort is “chest pain” and could be a heart problem. If the symptoms respond poorly to antacids, your physician should be consulted. If you cannot be objective, get a medical professional be objective for you.

     The management of GERD requires both medication and lifestyle changes. Some of the changes are:

• Elevate the head of bed with pillows, foam wedge or blocks under the legs at the head of the bed.
• Your head should be higher than your abdomen
• Quit smoking!!
• Lose Weight
• Avoid large meals and late evening meals; do not eat three hours before bedtime. Do not lie down after eating.

      Your physician can recommend over-the-counter medications. These are half of the strength of prescription drugs. If these preparations are not helpful, a prescription can be given for full strength or a different class of drugs that can reduce stomach acidity while still allowing you to digest your food. 

      The important thing is to actively seek a remedy. Tolerating heartburn can lead to worse conditions that will not be tolerable. It is your body, your life, and you should pursue your optimum wellness. 

© 2001 Joy B. Burch, RN All rights reserved

This is the first in a series of articles about often ignored health problems.