Did Midterm Election Results Give President Obama Acid Reflux?

Did the Republican take-over of the House and Senate give President Obama heartburn?

Maybe so.

It was announced that the President was taken to Fort Belvoir Medical Center yesterday after complaining of a sore throat. Obama underwent a fiber optic examination his throat which showed some “soft tissue swelling.” The President was then transferred over to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD where he underwent additional testing, including a CT scan. The diagnosis, according to White House Press Secretary, Josh Earnest, was acid reflux.

The President’s physician, Dr. Ronny L. Jackson, reported:

“The CT scan was normal. The president’s symptoms are consistent with soft tissue inflammation related to acid reflux and will be treated accordingly.”

The President gave up smoking before entering the White House.

What is Gastroesopheal Reflux (GER)?

What is GERD?

Who is more likely to have GERD?

Esophageal stricture

​Respiratory problems

With GERD you might breathe stomach acid into your lungs. The stomach acid can then irritate your throat and lungs, causing respiratory problems, such as​

• asthma—a long-lasting disease in your lungs that makes you extra sensitive to things that you’re allergic to
• chest congestion, or extra fluid in your lungs
• a dry, long-lasting cough or a sore throat
• hoarseness—the partial loss of your voice
• laryngitis—the swelling of your voice box that can lead to a short-term loss of your voice
• pneumonia—an infection in one or both of your lungs—that keeps coming back
• wheezing—a high-pitched whistling sound when you breathe

Barrett’s esophagus

GERD can sometimes cause Barrett’s esophagus. A small number of people with Barrett’s esophagus develop a rare yet often deadly type of cancer of the esophagus.

How do doctors treat GERD?

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, medicines, surgery, or a combination.

Lifestyle changes

Making lifestyle changes can reduce your GER and GERD symptoms. You should

• lose weightExternal NIDDK Link, if needed.
• wear loose-fitting clothing around your abdomen. Tight clothing can squeeze your stomach area and push acid up into your esophagus.
• stay upright for 3 hours after meals. Avoid reclining and slouching when sitting.
• sleep on a slight angle. Raise the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches by safely putting blocks under the bedposts. Just using extra pillows will not help.
• quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.

Over-the-counter and prescription medicines​

You can buy many GERD medicines without a prescription. However, if you have symptoms that will not go away, you should see your doctor.
All GERD medicines work in different ways. You may need a combination of GERD medicines to control your symptoms.
Antacids. Doctors often first recommend antacids to relieve heartburn and other mild GER and GERD symptoms. Antacids include over-the-counter medicines such as

• Maalox
• Mylanta
• Riopan
• Rolaids

​Antacids can have side effects, including diarrhea and constipation.

H2 blockers

H2 blockers decrease acid production. They provide short-term or on-demand relief for many people with GER and GERD symptoms. They can also help heal the esophagus, although not as well as other medicines. You can buy H2 blockers over-the-counter or your doctor can prescribe one. Types of H2 blockers include:

• cimetidine (Tagamet HB)
• famotidine (Pepcid AC)
• nizatidine(Axid)
• ranitidine (Zantac 75)

If you get heartburn after eating, your doctor may recommend that you take an antacid and an H2 blocker. The antacid neutralizes stomach acid, and the H2 blocker stops your stomach from creating acid. By the time the antacid stops working, the H2 blocker has stopped the acid.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

PPIs lower the amount of acid your stomach makes. PPIs are better at treating GERD symptoms than H2 blockers.1 They can heal the esophageal lining in most people with GERD. Doctors often prescribe PPIs for long-term GERD treatment.

However, studies show that people who take PPIs for a long time or in high doses are more likely to have hip, wrist, and spinal fractures. You need to take these medicines on an empty stomach so that your stomach acid can make them work.
Several types of PPIs are available by a doctor’s prescription, including:

• esomeprazole (Nexium)
• lansoprazole (Prevacid)
• omeprazole (Prilosec)
• pantoprazol (Protonix)
• rabeprazole(AcipHex)