HEALTH AWARENESS: Talk to Your Doctor if You Have Frequent and Persistent Heartburn

We've all heard about heartburn and chances are that most of us have experienced it at some point, but have you heard about GERD?

GERD, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, is commonly known as acid reflux disease and is often a chronic condition that affects nearly 19 million Americans.

If you are experiencing frequent and persistent symptoms of heartburn, it is important for you to discuss them with a health care provider. Your doctor can develop an individualized treatment plan, which may consist of diet and lifestyle changes, and might also include medication, depending on the severity of your symptoms.

About GERD

GERD is often characterized by frequent and persistent heartburn that occurs two or more days a week despite treatment and diet changes. GERD can occur in both men and women, and the severity of the disease may vary among patients.

GERD occurs when stomach acid used for digestion repeatedly backs up, or refluxes, into the esophagus. GERD-related symptoms are often triggered by certain foods, stress, or pressure on the stomach. Millions of tiny pumps in the stomach produce acid that helps digest food. Unfortunately, stomach acid can flow back into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach). This usually happens when the valve between your stomach and esophagus (called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES) does not work properly.

Normally, this valve opens to allow food and liquids to enter the stomach, and it closes to keep acid and food in the stomach. But if it doesn't close all the way or if it opens too often, stomach acid can move up into your esophagus. And with continued exposure to stomach acid, the esophagus may become inflamed and possibly damaged, a condition known as erosive esophagitis (EE).

Since heartburn and other symptoms of GERD affect people in different ways, it's important to talk to a health care provider about these symptoms. Only a health care provider can diagnose GERD and determine if there is damage to the esophagus.

Tips for Managing GERD

Lifestyle modifications are a part of a treatment plan and help manage heartburn related to GERD.

Here are some tips:

* Avoid common trigger foods. Fried and fatty foods, onions, citrus fruits, tomato-based foods, alcohol, coffee and other caffeinated drinks, chocolate, peppermint and spearmint can contribute to GERD symptoms.

* Eat small, frequent meals. Avoid eating two to three hours before bedtime.

* Consider your clothing. Try not to wear tight-fitting clothes around your waist.

* Manage your body weight. Watch your weight and lose some if you're overweight.

* If you currently smoke, try to quit.

* Manage stress and how you react to it.

* Raise the head of your bed six to eight inches while you sleep.

Treatment for GERD

Diet and lifestyle changes are typically first-line treatment approaches for GERD. However, if those changes don't help enough to relieve symptoms, a health care provider may recommend treatment with medication. If you are diagnosed with acid reflux disease, DEXILANT(TM) (dexlansoprazole) may be an option - it is an approved medication for the treatment of heartburn related to GERD.

Uses of DEXILANT (dexlansoprazole) 30 mg and 60 mg delayed release capsules

Persistent heartburn two or more days a week, despite treatment and diet changes, could be acid reflux disease (ARD). Prescription DEXILANT capsules are used in adults to treat heartburn related to ARD, to heal acid-related damage to the lining of the esophagus (called erosive esophagitis or EE), and to stop EE from coming back. Individual results may vary. Most damage (erosions) heals in 4-8 weeks.

Important Safety Information

DEXILANT may not be right for everyone. You should not take DEXILANT if you are allergic to DEXILANT or any of its ingredients. Severe allergic reactions have been reported. Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions. The most common side effects of DEXILANT were diarrhea (4.8 percent), stomach pain (4.0 percent), nausea (2.9 percent), common cold (1.9 percent), vomiting (1.6 percent), and gas (1.6 percent). DEXILANT and certain other medicines can affect each other. Before taking DEXILANT, tell your doctor if you are taking ampicillin, atazanavir, digoxin, iron, ketoconazole, or tacrolimus. If you are taking DEXILANT with warfarin, you may need to be monitored because serious risks could occur.

Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. Please see accompanying Prescribing Information for DEXILANT.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Courtesy of ARAcontent