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Treatment Plan
| Type |
Best Treatment To Discuss With Your Doctor |
Reflux
(GERD) |
- The use of prescription heartburn medicine for at least 4-6 weeks. These medicines should be taken after meals and at bedtime as needed.
- A review by your doctor of other medicines you are taking and possible discontinuation of any that may be causing your symptoms.
- Lifestyle changes that may help your symptoms improve.
|
| Chronic Heartburn |
- Discontinuation of pain killers other than TylenolŪ, if possible.
- Potential discontinuation of any other medicines that may be causing the heartburn.
- Lifestyle changes that may help your symptoms improve.
- Performance of a blood test to check for H. pylori (a bacterium). IF THE H. PYLORI TEST IS POSITIVE: MEDICATIONS THAT TARGET H. PYLORI.
- IF THE H. PYLORI TEST IS NEGATIVE: other treatments and medicines.
|
| Possible tumor |
- Referral as soon as possible to a stomach (GI) specialist or admission to a hospital if the situation is urgent/critical.
|
If Your Heartburn Doesn't Improve After 4-6 Weeks
| Type |
Best Treatment To Discuss With Your Doctor |
Reflux
(GERD) |
- If the symptoms do NOT get better, or return quickly, changing the medicine or increasing the dose for 4 weeks.
- Referral to a stomach specialist.
- Medication continuation if the symptoms DO get better.
|
| Chronic Heartburn |
- If you had a positive test for H. pylori and treatment did not relieve the symptoms, or they came back: ordering a test called a breath test to see if the H. pylori responded to treatment.
- If your test for H. pylori was negative and your doctor started you on a medicine called an H2 blocker that did not help your symptoms: starting a medicine called a proton pump inhibitor.
- If that fails to make you better, referral to a stomach specialist.
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Antacids can help some people with GERD. If these don't work, your doctor may give you a prescription for H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors.
Sometimes surgery called fundoplication can help relieve your chronic heartburn if medications have failed. This involves tightening the valve between the esophagus and the stomach. But be very careful in choosing your doctor. If the surgery is not done correctly, you may have trouble swallowing, diarrhea and pain. Check the American Board of Medical Specialties Web site to make sure your doctor is board-certified.
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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