Do I have acid reflux?

[cpals]

Lately I've been getting a burning sensation when I burp or eat/drink. It starts kind of at my upper chest and goes up into my throat. I don't really eat spicy foods though and have been drinking mostly gatorade/water at work.

?

Thanks.

 

[Amplifier]

I'm no doctor, but yes you do. Now here's your prescription.

 

[cpals]

What's a typical treatment and is it something that will go away or you have to always treat (like allergies).

 

[RallyMaster]

Sounds like it. Check webmd.com and search acid reflux. Guaranteed to find you something. After that, go to your doctor.

 

[ThePresence]

Probably.

 

[LordUnum]

I was diagnosed with GERD aka acid reflux about seven years ago. I didn't experience the symptoms (badly) everyday, but when I did, it was paralyzing. It became impossible to scarf down more than a few bites as every bite and nearly every swallow resulted in intense stabbing pains in my chest/stomach area that made me double over. The Prevacid that was first prescribed to me did absolutely nothing other than slightly delay the periods under which I would suffer these intense reflux-related pains. I was eventually given Prilosec and that--along with changing my eating & sleeping habits slightly--definitely did the trick. Within six months, I was free of any GERD symptoms, although I may still have a flap/valve which doesn't close completely between the esophagus & stomach (typical to GERD sufferers). That can only be remedied via surgery I believe.

It's been six years, and I can't recall one instance of acid reflux-related pain or discomfort.

EDIT: <--- W00T!

 

[Ornery]

I can eat any spicy foods you throw at me, but certain fats hammer me instantly. If I eat anything within an hour of going to bed, I'm screwed. Anything except an apple! I can eat an apple right before bed, and it has the opposite effect, which is awesome. Next time you have heartburn, try an apple. If that works for you, it would be much better alternative to choking down antacids all the time.

 

[OhHenry]

Might want to see a doctor about that. I had the weird/burning sensation in my chest and also adominal pains. My doctor prescribe me something, can't remember what it was since it was six years ago, but it never came back.

 

[LordUnum]

^ My money's on PRILOSEC.

 

[wazzledoozle]

I was diagnosed with GERD about a year and half ago, I had gotten the flu bad and was throwing up every half an hour or so for about 2 days. Turns out all the puking really messed up the valve from my stomach to my esophagus, and pretty much anything will give me heart burn. Every few months it wil flare up a good bit, and I take a 2 week cycle of prilosec to tame it.

The pain from it comes in 2 forms-
Pain on the left side of my chest, almost as if from my heart. Dont know why that is...
Extreme stomach cramps

 

[Cattlegod]

spice doesn't matter. it is stuff like italian food (i.e. tomato sauce and the like) that will give you heart burn.

 

[dawnbug]

Definitely sounds like acid reflux. Get a prescription and talk to your doc about your eating habits.

Do you drink a lot of caffeine or eat chocolate? They could be contributing to the problem. My doctor told me some of the foods that could be causing acid reflux, so I try to avoid those more now.

Good luck!