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Almost everyone has had a “Maalox moment.” Dietary indiscretion can cause food and gastric contents to reflux into the esophagus causing heartburn, chest pain and also difficulty with swallowing. Cardiac disease should always be considered with chest discomfort and ruled out.
Recurrent acid reflux is extremely common. Studies have shown that over 40% of the adult population can have 2 or more episodes on a monthly basis.
“Acid blockers” like Pepcid are good at controlling the symptoms in many cases, but a detailed evaluation is warranted in patients with repeated symptoms to prevent scarring and deformity and, more importantly, ideally identifying Barrett’s Esophagitis, a complication of chronic reflux. Barrett’s Esophagitis is a pre-cancerous condition requiring close attention and management under the care of a Gastroenterologist.
