Is Acid reflux an epidemic??? Do you have this??or Someone you know?

Question

I know three newborn babies who take medicine for this!

Answer 1

I have acid reflux, really bad, for years. I finally had a doctor diagnose me about 2 years ago. He prescribed Protonix and I took this for a year or so. It didn't do the job and the stomach acid started coming up through my esophagus. That's when I was put on Nexium. Boy does that do the trick. I don't think it's an epidemic, the problem has been the docs didn't know how to diagnose the problem. Now with all the research and better understanding of how Ulcers develop, they zeroed in on the acid reflux. It's always been a part of the problem with human beings having to do with life style and diet.

It starts with cronic heartburn that is ignored. It takes years to develop but when it does, it hits like a bomb. Think of your stomach problems (heartburn) as an open wound/sore. If you don't take care of it, it gets worse. Thats what happens with indigestion and heartburn. If you don't pay attention to what is causing this, it will develop into something much worse.

We are reluctant to change our diets because for whatever reason the foods we love so much are the exact foods that give us the stomach problems. So we rely on OTC relief until that doesn't work anymore. Thats why you hear so much about acid reflux. We take these antiacids which masks the problem, thinking we are doing the right thing, and whamo the problem develops into something much worse. Had I changed my diet things would have been a lot better. But I didn't and now I take the little purple pill. Thank god for the little purple pill!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

It's not epidemic. I've had it since I was about 11. I thought it was a normal thing so I just ignored it. Then, a few years ago I woke up in a hospital (for a different reason) and one of the prescriptions they gave me was for Prevacid. I took those, one pill per day, and now I can eat rusty nails and it won't bother my stomach. Once, I ran out of pills and didn't refill my prescription on time. On the second day without taking a pill I got a stark reminder of what acid reflux feels like.

Answer 4

Yes there is an epidemic of people having stomach trouble; most often it is caused by OVER EATING!

There is also a "perceived" need for treating stomach disorders from the drug companies. A lot of these companies invested big money in treatment for stomach ulcers. Then some doctor found out that most Stomach Ulcers were actually caused by bacteria (like those that can infect improperly refrigerated food). The drug companies resisted him and tried to shut him down. Finally the doctor ingested the bacteria and documented his own case proving that he was right. Now ulcers were treatable by cheap antibiotics. With all this money invested in the ulcer treatment drugs the drug companies had a drug in search of a disease. Acid Reflux is a real condition, and it can be treated with some of these drugs. Saving all the drug companies their big investments. So, after getting FDA approval, they started advertising these drugs for an illness that isn’t that common but, the first rule in advertising is to create a market; even if there isn’t a real need for it.

These types of medications do have another use; they handle the stomach problems created by people who have to take a lot of oral medication. I am one of those people. I have to take over one dozen different medications in one day, all in varying dosages taken at several times during the day. I have been doing this for well over a decade. All these drugs have started to abuse my stomach so I need to take stomach acid reducing medication. I have to take at least three extra medications to treat the problems caused by the other medications. Since I can’t function without my medication I have no choice, but to take those drugs and the extra drugs.

Answer 5

I do not know if its an epidemic. I think part of it is how foods are grown or produced now, alot of presatives and chemicals. I do not have acid reflux, but a host of digestive/stomach problems it could attribute to how do eat. I have been reading about inflammation and the human body it can attribute to a HOST of various problems. My sister has GERD, it is form of bad acid reflux, it could be diet, but she also smokes. I hope you find the answers you need, good luck.

Answer 6

No, it's not an epidemic. It's just something that happens to people as they get older. Usually comes on in the 30s or 40s.

Answer 7

It's not an epidemic. I don't have it; I do know someone who does. Funny thing though, I saw my doctor for a general checkup last week, I am in my 40s and he asked me if I had it. Nope doc, don't have it. It made me think though that it has become more prevalent, maybe from the diet people eat or the stress they are under.

Answer 8

I"ve had this for many years. It is really terrible and I have some scar tissue build up in my esophagus from frequent attacks. It makes it hard to swallow food sometimes, but I try to watch eating greasy and spice foods. No chocolate before i lay down or anything minty because both of these things weaken the esophageal sphincter and that allows gastric contents to come back up. If you have this I would suggest going to your doctor. Tagamet and pepcid work pretty good. I hope it helps.

Answer 9

Take some sodium bicarbonate ( antacids ). Drink milk. Stop worrying. It's just stomach acids moving up the oesophagus. Calm.

Answer 10

acid reflux is so horrible I had it and was admitted to the hospital.thank god i got better cause they wanted to remove my esophagus.Just keep a diet and avoid foods like salsa pizza things that trigger acid reflux.