Dr. Armstrong offers his insights into what a person should expect from their heartburn treatment.
What should people expect from their heartburn treatment?
Dr. Armstrong has found that in his practice, most people will have almost complete symptom resolution. Other people will feel much better on their treatment, but may still be having symptoms.
He says that the number of people with complete symptom resolution could be higher than it is now. Some people improve on their treatment but still continue to suffer from some heartburn symptoms. The important thing is to tell your doctor if you are still experiencing symptoms so that they can be resolved.
How can people tell if they're getting symptom resolution?
You can tell if you're having symptom resolution when:
- your symptoms go away completely
- you can sleep through the night without regurgitating or choking on fluid
- you can eat without worrying about what you're eating, when you're eating, or how much you're eating
- you can exercise and bend over comfortably
If your symptoms are better, but you are still having problems doing the activities you enjoy, ask your doctor what can be done. It's important to know that you have options.
How long does it usually take for symptoms to resolve?
This varies from person to person. Some get better in a few days, but most people find it takes longer. It can take up to 8 to 16 weeks before you have complete symptom resolution. It's important to know that if you're not completely better after 2 weeks, this doesn't mean your treatment isn't working for you.
What should patients do if they don't get symptom resolution?
If you don't have symptom resolution, talk to doctor about it. Your doctor will reassess your symptoms and treatment. Depending on the individual person, the doctor may check to make sure your symptoms are really due to reflux disease. They may also look into changing your medication, the dose of your medication, or how you're using it.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2021. 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/Heartburn-A-Doctors-Perspective