Diagnosing, treating heartburn and acid reflux - Fox News

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>>> DID YOU KNOW THAT ONE IN 10 AMERICANS EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS OF HEARTBURN AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, AND IF IT IS LEFT UNTREATED IT CAN LEAD TO MORE SERIOUS CONDITIONS? HERE IS THE QUESTION AND WE WILL START WITH YOU.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT IS HEARTBURN OR ACID REFLUX? >> ACID REFLUX, OVER TIME IT CAN ERODE PART OF THE ESOPHAGUS.

WHEN YOU EAT FOOD IT GOES THROUGH THE NARROW TUBE CALLED THE ESOPHAGUS.

THERE IS A SPHINCTER AND IT BLOCKS THE FOOD THAT COMES BACK UP.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT CAN RELAX IT AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.

THIS GOES ON OVER TIME.

WE HAD A SEGMENT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER, 78% INCREASE IN THE RISK OF THROAT CANCER AND UH SOV JEEL CANCER IF YOU HAVE REFLUX.

78%.

THE TREATMENT WAS GO AHEAD AND TAKE YOUR ANTI-ACID BECAUSE IT CAN REDUCE IT AND TAKE CARE OF IT.

THE WAY IT PRESENTS IS LIKE CHEST PAIN.

DOCTORS HAVE A PROBLEM DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN HEART ATTACK AND REFLUX OR GURD.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR.

LAST YEAR I HAD A CHRONIC COUGH AND EVERYBODY SAID MAYBE HE IS TIRED AND EXHAUSTED, BUT REFLUX CAN CAUSE CHRONIC COUGH.

A GOOD FRIEND GAVE ME SOME ANTACID AND IT HELPED.

>> AND HORSENESS.

YOU MAY HAVE HORSENESS OR OF COULDING AND IT CAN BE THE ACID COMING UP.

WHEN PATIENTS COME TO SEE ME I HAVE TO LOOK FOR REASONS, ALCOHOL, SMOKING, STRESS, FATTY FOODS.

EVERYONE OUT THERE IS FAMILIAR WITH THESE THINGS.

CHOCOLATE IS ANOTHER ONE.

ONE OF OUR FRIENDS, COFFEE.

WE LOVE COFFEE, BUT COFFEE CAN DEFINITELY CAUSE MAURY FLUX.

>> HOW ABOUT THINGS OVER THE COUNTER? >> I THINK YOU SHOULD SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN.

I CAN PRESCRIBE THINGS.

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE SELF-MEDICATING.

>> I AM GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT UP.

I WOULDN'T GO STRAIGHT TO THE MEDICATIONS.

JUST CHEWING GUM FOR HALF AN HOUR AFTER YOUR FOOD BASICALLY WASHES OUT ALLOTS -- A LOT OF THE ACID.

CHEAP, NO PROBLEM.

SL IS SLIPPERY ELM.

IT IS ABOUT 350 MILLIGRAMS THREE TIMES DAY AND PEPPERMINT , CINNAMON DAY -- CINNAMON TEA IS SOOTHING BEFORE THE MEDICINES.

>> I WANT TO ADD ONE THING, WATER.

DRINK MORE WATER AND YOU DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF REFLUX.

>> AND OF COURSE IT DOESN'T ACCEPT MY INSURANCE.

>> COMING UP, MORE SUNDAY HOUSE CALL.

AND AS WE TOWELED, WE ARE FOLLOWING THE BREAKING NEWS SITUATION.

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