Ask an Expert: Heartburn
Question Archive
I currently take Nexium® to treat my heartburn. Although I'm not a heavy drinker, can you tell me whether or not I can drink while taking this medication?
Dr. Moayyedi's Response
There is no interaction between Nexium® and alcohol so it is safe to drink whilst taking this drug. But keep in mind that alcohol can relax the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus that prevents acid reflux. Drinking alcohol therefore increases the risk of having heartburn.
Click here to ask Dr. Moayyedi a question about Heartburn
- Can heartburn wake you up at night with severe chest pain? All tests that I've had to look for heart problems have come back normal.
- Could you explain how the proton pump inhibitor medications work?
- Does having an ulcer increase the chance of suffering from heartburn? I was recently diagnosed with an ulcer caused by H. pylori.
- Does taking digestive enzymes help reduce heartburn? I would like to take supplements and eat more organically.
- How should I treat a child with heartburn? Do medications that work on adults work on children equally well?
- I have been diagnosed with GERD and I also have esophageal spasms. These spasms are painful and happen quite frequently. What can I do to relieve the pain and suffering I am enduring from these frequent esophageal spasms?
- I have serious heartburn problems. My doctor told me that I have a viral infection. Could the viral infection be the cause of my heartburn?
- I know that some fruits are high in acid content. When I eat certain fruits and vegetables, I have bad heartburn for the whole day. I love these foods. Is there a way to enjoy them without getting heartburn?
- I love coffee. I drink at least 2 cups a day, but I often get heartburn after drinking it. Could there be a connection between my coffee intake and the heartburn?
- I read that when a person is taking certain medications, it is important not to chew, crush, or break them. Is this true for esomeprazole, which I take for my heartburn? Swallowing pills whole is sometimes difficult for me. Do you have any suggestions on how I can make swallowing my pills easier?
- I understand that heartburn occurs when stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus. Is there a way to strengthen the stomach valve so it can better stop the upward flow of stomach contents (e.g., exercise)?
- I understand that seniors have less stomach acid as they age. But, sometimes I get heartburn. Can a person with low stomach acid still suffer from heartburn?
- I usually use over-the-counter (OTC) medications like antacids to help with my heartburn. Unfortunately, they’re not always effective in relieving the burning sensation in my chest. Are OTC medications the right medication for everyone with heartburn?
- I'm often under pressure at work and find that I have more things to do than I can handle. Can the stress that I experience be related to the frequent heartburn that I suffer?
- I'm pregnant and suffering from heartburn. It seems to be getting worse. My doctor prescribed a medication to control the heartburn. Is this safe for my baby?
- I've been experiencing a lot of heartburn recently. My diet and lifestyle haven't changed very much, but I have put on a few pounds. Could this be causing my heartburn? Are there factors that can increase my chances of having heartburn?
- I've been tracking the foods I eat to investigate what triggers my heartburn. Should I share this information with my doctor? What other health care professionals could help me?
- I've gained a lot of weight over the last year and I've noticed that I experience heartburn more frequently now. Is there a link between heartburn and being overweight? My doctor wants me to try Nexium® to control my heartburn. Is this a good option for me?
- In order to control my heartburn, my doctor prescribed a medication called a proton pump inhibitor to lower the acid level in my stomach. She said this was the key to controlling my heartburn. Are some proton pump inhibitors better at doing this than others?
- My doctor prescribed a medication for my heartburn. I've been taking it regularly, but I still notice some symptoms. What can I do?
- My doctor prescribed medications for high cholesterol and related heart problems two years ago. Now, I'm beginning to notice that I have more and more frequent heartburn. Could this be a side effect of the heart medications or could it be another condition?
- My doctor told me that I have GERD? What is GERD? Is this the same thing as heartburn or acid reflux?
- My heartburn is keeping me awake at night. I’ve become increasingly moody and tired from the lack of sleep. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do or take?
- My heartburn started a number of years ago, but I've got it under control now, after starting Nexium®. I've recently heard from a friend that there is a link between heartburn and cancer of the esophagus. Is this true? Am I at risk?
- My mother has a hiatus hernia. What is this condition and how does it relate to heartburn?
- My son, who is 8, sometimes complains of heartburn. Is it possible that he really has heartburn? I didn't think that children could get it.
- People who smoke and who have heartburn are often told to stop smoking. How is heartburn related to smoking?
- Sometimes my tongue burns. It's a very strange sensation that my dentist cannot link to any problems in my mouth. Does heartburn ever cause burning of the upper esophagus and tongue?
- What are the long-term effects of taking prescription medications for heartburn? I've been taking Nexium for a while now and would like to know if this is safe.
- What is the difference between acid reflux and bile reflux? What are the symptoms, and do you treat the two conditions differently?
- What lifestyle changes can I make to help symptoms related to GERD? Will these changes be enough to give me lasting relief from heartburn and other symptoms?
- What prescription medications are currently available to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? How do they work? Is acid control the only factor that I should worry about?
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