store
finder
Shop Online at Pharmasave shop
online
weekly
flyer
Email  
Sign Up

Medication that works: Andrew's story

In the beginning, Andrew's heartburn symptoms seemed mild enough to get by without much help.

"It felt like a bit of acid or a burning sensation was coming up my esophagus," relates the 49-year-old safety officer. "It was nothing major."

But over time, things changed. Andrew's symptoms intensified and he recognized he was dealing with a medical condition that required action. A growing number of foods fuelled more extreme burning sensations, and when Andrew burped, he started to notice an after-taste. So, like many other people in similar shoes, Andrew decided to pay a visit to his family physician for some medical advice as he still couldn’t get lasting relief after many years of treatments.

His doctor had asked him a few questions about his heartburn, such as:

  1. Describe your symptoms.
  2. When did your symptoms start?
  3. Do you have your symptoms all the time or do they come and go?
  4. Rate your discomfort on a scale from 1 to 10.
  5. Does anything help your symptoms?
  6. Does anything make your symptoms worse?
  7. Do your symptoms wake you up at night?
  8. Do you have any difficulty swallowing?
  9. Have you noticed any changes in your weight?
  10. Do you sometimes have a sour taste or food come up to the back of your throat?

Andrew’s doctor ordered a few tests and worked together with Andrew to come up with an action plan for his symptoms. Andrew’s action plan included certain lifestyle changes, such as cutting back on alcohol, steering clear of particular problem foods, elevating his bed slightly to help with sleep, and not eating for four to five hours before going to sleep. The action plan also included the use of medication.

This combination of medication and lifestyle adjustments made a world of difference. Andrew's symptoms went away and his life got back to normal.

"I didn't have any heartburn or indigestion…and my action plan allowed me to eat foods I wouldn’t normally be able to eat, like bananas or tomatoes. It worked very well for me and I was glad I was taking it."

The treatment plan that Andrew and his doctor decided upon may not be appropriate for every person with heartburn. But Andrew's story shows that it's important to take action if you continue to experience symptoms – while keeping risks and benefits in mind when deciding on a treatment.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Stopping-Heartburns-Acid-Sting

Share this page

facebook twitter linkedin