Question 1

i have been diagnosed gerd & i get heartburns almost once a week. i usually take a pantoprezole tablet then - is it safe to take it so often?

Accepted Answer

Talk to doc but: First you need to take the Pantoprazole 30-60 mins before your first meal of the day.   There is also concern that chronic use of this type of drug increases the risk in getting pneumonia and possibly traveler's diarrhea. 
If taken only when heartburn starts, then a Histamine 2 reverse agonist (Pepcid, Zantac) may be more appropriate.

Question 2

what is the best way to relieve heartburn?  gerd

Accepted Answer

Constant: Heart burn could be a signal of something wrong. From hiatal hernia, to bacterial infection, should be evaluated by gastroenterologist. Some of the over the counter blockers may help, but need to be evaluated.

Question 3

is there a difference between heartburn and gerd?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Heartburn is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (gerd). Not all heartburn is gerd( 95%+ is) and not everyone with gerd has heartburn.

Question 4

what else causes frequent severe heartburn besides gerd?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown: That the differential diagnosis of heartburn symptoms is quite broad, but according to Dr. Harmon and others in Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology,  there are five major causes:
Medications, functional dyspepsia, GERD, peptic ulcer disease, and cancer. 
GERD may have no symptoms of heartburn whatsoever. Here is a review to read: http://tinyurl.com/nqnv9qr

Question 5

what is clinically different between frequent heartburn and gerd?

Accepted Answer

Similar but differen: GERD just means that you have reflux of the gastric content above the stomach-esophagus junction.  It may or may not induce heart burns.  Heartburn is often noted when the refluxed material is very acidic  but everyone has a different tolerance to the degree of acidic. Thus GERD describes a process, heartburn a symptom.

Question 6

what preventative treatments are there for gerd and heartburn?

Accepted Answer

See below: There are a number of medications used to treat acid reflux. Non-medical therapies or preventitive therapies include weight loss, avoiding late meals, avoiding trigger foods, avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol.

Question 7

is it common or possible to have gerd without  the symptoms of heartburn or regurgitation?

Accepted Answer

GERD: Gerd is always associated with symptoms!. If you don't have symptoms you don't have Gerd.
What makes you think something is wrong?

Question 8

can gerd be felt in your back? i have heartburn in my back, with belching. standing up relieves it, as well

Accepted Answer

Yes possibly: However you really should consider changing your lifestyle. Eat healthy and drink your water and exercise

Question 9

i have pain in my chest for a couple weeks now. a little heartburn.feels like something in ches. i was on the gerd meds for over 20 years. no insuranc?

Accepted Answer

Omeprazole: I'd suggest you try Omeprazole otc (generic and cheaper than copay in many instances) for 7 days. If the pain resolves it is almost certainly gerd. If less than 75% improvement you should see your primary care provider and discuss.

Question 10

what is the best treatment for silent gerd, no heartburn whatsoever?

Accepted Answer

The same as GERD: The treatment is the same for both gerd and silent gerd. Low acidic foods and/or medications such as h2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors can relieve symptoms, if you have them. Speak with your doctor about which plan is most appropriate for you.

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Doctor answers about:

Heartburn

A member asked:

I have been diagnosed gerd & i get heartburns almost once a week. i usually take a pantoprezole tablet then - is it safe to take it so often?

A member asked:

What is the best way to relieve heartburn? gerd

A member asked:

Is there a difference between heartburn and gerd?

A member asked:

What else causes frequent severe heartburn besides gerd?

A member asked:

What is clinically different between frequent heartburn and gerd?

A member asked:

What preventative treatments are there for gerd and heartburn?

A member asked:

Is it common or possible to have gerd without the symptoms of heartburn or regurgitation?

A member asked:

Can gerd be felt in your back? i have heartburn in my back, with belching. standing up relieves it, as well

A member asked:

I have pain in my chest for a couple weeks now. a little heartburn.feels like something in ches. i was on the gerd meds for over 20 years. no insuranc?

A member asked:

What is the best treatment for silent gerd, no heartburn whatsoever?

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