GERD (Stomach Acid Reflux): How Can My Rexall Pharmacist Help?
The facts about GERD (stomach acid reflux)
Heartburn is a classic symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD) and is caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus from the stomach. About five million Canadians experience GERD at least once each week. In addition to causing heartburn, GERD can cause difficulty swallowing, chest pain that is not related to a heart problem (always seek medical help right away if you have chest pain that could be related to a heart problem!), cough, sore throat, and laryngitis. People most likely to experience symptoms of GERD include those who are overweight or obese, who smoke cigarettes, eat fatty foods, are older than 65 years of age, and/or have a lot of stress in their life. About one in four pregnant women experience heartburn every day!
If you suffer from bothersome symptoms of GERD, talk with your Rexall Pharmacist
If you have bothersome symptoms of GERD, you should see your Rexall Pharmacist. They will assess your condition to ensure that you do not have any signs and symptoms that would be better treated by a doctor or other health professional. In addition to suggesting treatment for your symptoms, your Rexall Pharmacist can recommend other ways to manage symptoms of GERD, such as wearing looser-fitting clothing, avoiding late night meals, raising the head of the bed, and quitting smoking. Your Rexall Pharmacist will also check to see if you are taking any medications that might be contributing to your GERD symptoms.
What can my Rexall Pharmacist prescribe to relieve symptoms associated with GERD?
Your Rexall Pharmacist can assess your situation and discuss benefits and risks of available treatment options based on your personal circumstances. If deemed appropriate, your Rexall Pharmacist may prescribe a medication to meet your treatment needs. Some examples of drugs that are used to manage GERD symptoms include antacids, H2 blockers (such as ranitidine and famotidine), and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole and lansoprazole. If you have any questions about your condition or your treatment, or feel that your medication may be causing side effects, don’t hesitate to ask your Rexall Pharmacist at any time.