concerned girlfriend

[alwaysme26]

My boyfriend doesn't believe in western medicine and refuses to see the doctor unless it's a life or death emergency. He does seem to suffer from acid reflux every day, though. I'm not one to diagnose it, but basically he craves spicy (as in hot) foods and then he eats too much and then he feels stuffed for hours and has the reflux which wakes him up at night. The severity is different from day to day depending on how much spicy food he eats and if he's eaten before bedtime, but it does seem to be a daily problem. He's not overweight and he doesn't have any other health conditions that I know of. I am worried because I know that GERD can cause throat cancer if its not treated. He says he tried prilosec and it didn't help. He also says that taking those medications just mask the problem for a while and then make them worse because of rebound acid. I don't try to force him into medication, but he's not even doing anything alternative except trying to cut down on large meals and spicy foods. I don't think it's enough. Am I being irrational? Should I even be worried? How can I help him?

[selmaS]

No worries...good luck.

"selma"

[alwaysme26]

Thank you, Selma. I'm not sure about a family history of Hiatal hernia's, but the problem has been for a few years. I'll click on that link. Thanks again.

[selmaS]

HI..there r several things u can do to help him and if it works his problem may not be one that needs a dr...but if left go, reflux can do damage....

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=236
This link is to the Health Pages, please see them for tips on diet and lifestyle modifications....like elevating the head of the bed...not eating 3 to 4 hrs prior to lying down.....avoid dairy products b4 bed....

An OTC Med like pepcid can help if taken b4 eating the occasional spicy foods....u r right that if left untreated reflux can cause a lot of damage, PPI's can repair the damage...and the meds should be stepped down bcuz of the rebound effect...PPI's stop the proton pumps from producing acids...when u stop taking them they begin to overproduce and u r right back where u were....PPI's like Prilosec is available OTC too....but, until he has it under control and willing to modify the diet, that may not help.PPI's like prilosec do take time b4 u see results, so u deff have to be patient.

Do u know if his family has a history with Hiatal hernia's?How long is this going on?

"selma"

Cutting down on large meals is a plus...in fact 4 to 5 small meals would be better.....