|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| LIVING WITH ACID REFLUX | ||||||||||||
| ��������������� Erik Pennell happens to be someone who has acid reflux. He observes, "Acid reflux can be developed by eating foods that destroy your esophagus. Acid reflux is where your stomach acid becomes too strong for your stomach to handle." | ||||||||||||
| ����������� Erik's experience with acid reflux is not as bad as it is for most people. He recalls, "I discovered that I had acid reflux on my own around the age of fourteen. I was shocked when I found out how serious this disease could get to. Since this disease is usually life-long, I'm glad that it hasn't excelled to a really bad point. I do not have to take prescription medicine because my acid reflux has not gotten bad enough to where I have to do that. I also do not have to see an annual doctor about it." | ||||||||||||
| ����������� When he has an attack, it's usually at home because he doesn't get an attack very often. When he does have an attack, he drinks milk until it goes away. Since Erik has stopped eating junk food and drinking sodas, it has been getting better and better every day. If he continues eating healthy, then his acid reflux will continue to get better and better, and he'll possibly overcome it someday. Erik says, "I also think that my brother Ian may have acid reflux, but he doesn't have to take prescription medicine either." | ||||||||||||
| ����������� Chewing helps get rid of the excess acid in the stomach. Erik said, "I don't know why I chew gum, it's just a habit." Erik has changed his eating habits cutting out fast food and soda. Since this changed he's lost weight and feels better about himself. He's very careful about avoiding the foods that are known to promote acid reflux. He also chews gum on a regular basis to neutralize the acid in the stomach. Erik said, "I still struggle with staying away from foods that aggravate my acid reflux and when I do eat them I'm reminded that I need to stay away from them." Since Erik is a well-built man; it may seem obvious that he is an unhealthy person. He was at one point, but he has turned his life around and decided to start eating healthy and to exercise which should help him by overcoming his acid reflux. | ||||||||||||
| ����������� Other things that he does to treat acid reflux are by putting cinder blocks under the portion of the bed where he lays his head. He explains, "This assures me that I shouldn't have problems sleeping through the night. On occasion, I have to take an antacid after I eat because my acid reflux will act up. After a meal, I usually take an antacid or when symptoms of the reflux start to begin." Antacids neutralize the acid in the stomach so that there is no acid to reflux. | ||||||||||||
| ����������� Describing some of the common symptoms that he gets when he feels the reflux coming on, Erik says, "The most common symptom I experience is heartburn. I usually get heartburn after meals and/or when I lie down. It just feels like a burning sensation in the middle of my chest. Sometimes the pain moves to my back. It doesn't happen frequently, but it happens every so often." Heartburn is caused by nerve fibers in the esophagus being stimulated. Since acid reflux is most common after meals, so is heartburn. "On a very rare occasion, I experience nausea. It's never been serious enough to make me throw up, but I have encountered it sometimes," Erik confesses. | ||||||||||||
| ����������� "I figured I had acid reflux because of the heartburn I had after meals. I've never actually had to go to a doctor to be diagnosed," Erik confides. He is thankful that his acid reflux has gotten so out of hand that he's had to consult a doctor. Erik is aware of how serious acid reflux can become, so he is very cautious of the severity of his symptoms. | ||||||||||||
| Return to my homepage | ||||||||||||