Medicine Made Simple

STAY INFORMED. STAY HEALTHY.

 

Navigating Long-Term GERD Management: Is This Common Treatment for Reflux Doing More Harm Than Good?
MEDICINE Samantha O'Connor MEDICINE Samantha O'Connor

Navigating Long-Term GERD Management: Is This Common Treatment for Reflux Doing More Harm Than Good?

If you're like 20% of Americans, you may have a condition called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).¹ The focus of treatment is to decrease the amount of acid that leaks out of the stomach, and the main way this is done is by reducing acid production altogether.

One of the main types of medications used to treat GERD are called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Even though it's recommended that they be used after trialing other medications, I still see that they're often the first to be used.

But did you know that, in most cases, it's not recommended to take PPIs longer than eight weeks?

This blog discusses six complications of long-term PPI use.

Read More
How to Treat Acid Reflux: Lifestyle Changes and Medication
MEDICINE, WELLNESS Samantha O'Connor MEDICINE, WELLNESS Samantha O'Connor

How to Treat Acid Reflux: Lifestyle Changes and Medication

If you’ve been diagnosed with acid reflux, which is formally known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you may be struggling with ways to treat it and control your symptoms. These symptoms can make it difficult to do simple things like eat a meal and sleep.

The goal of treating GERD is to decrease the amount of stomach acid that is leaking into the esophagus, as this is what causes the uncomfortable symptoms of GERD.

In most cases, lifestyle changes like weight loss, dietary changes, and sleeping habits may help improve or completely treat your reflux. And if they don’t help enough, there are medications that can be used along with lifestyle changes to improve your acid reflux and the unpleasant symptoms that come with it.

Read More
All About Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
MEDICINE Samantha O'Connor MEDICINE Samantha O'Connor

All About Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Have you ever had heartburn? You know, that feeling of discomfort, nausea, and “indigestion” in your stomach? Maybe it only happens once in a while, or maybe it happens on a daily basis.

Either way, dealing with heartburn can be uncomfortable and unpleasant. Depending on when it happens, it can affect your appetite, your sleep, and your health in general. If it’s happening regularly, you may have something called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

If you think that you may have GERD but you’re not sure where to begin, you’ve come to the right place.

Read More