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Alegent Health Clinic Offers Help for Chronic Heartburn
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Article Date: Feb 8, 2010
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One look at the shelves at any pharmacy, and you get the picture: there are a lot of people who suffer with heartburn. In fact, it is such a big problem that Americans spent $9 billion in one year alone hoping to find a little relief.
Suzy Simmons was one of them.
“I just figured it was one of those things I was going to have to live with,” said Simmons.
And she did – for 12 years.
“When I would lay down, I would have reflux so bad I would have asthmatic symptoms — wheezing from inhaling the reflux.’
Suzy’s story is not all that uncommon. Alegent Health Clinic Internal Medicine Physician, Dr. Larry Brown, sees, on average, three people a day complaining of heartburn, acid reflux, or problems with indigestion – in short: symptoms of GERD – Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease.
“I want to know, have they tried antacids, H2 blockers, Zantac?” asks Dr. Brown. “Have they tried to treat it themselves? Have they tried life style changes?”
But when all of the above doesn’t work, Alegent Health Clinic Surgeon, Dr. Myles Tieszen, says it’s time to step up the game plan.
“If you are having persistent symptoms, I would recommend taking a look at the esophagus – endoscope – to see if there are any changes going on here that might make us worry about a long term problem,” said Dr. Tieszen.
Like cancer, long term GERD can cause scarring in the lower esophagus, making it hard to swallow. It can also change the lining of the esophagus – something referred to as Barrett’s.
“That person is going to have a 15 to 20 times higher chance of developing esophageal cancer,” explains Dr. Tieszen.
Suzy found relief in surgery. She was able to throw away the Tums and Zantac and put the pain behind her.
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