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As I get older my heartburn gets worse?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 8/13/2013 10:54 AM (GMT 0)
Although I have had GERD since I was in my twenties. I have noticed that as I get older I seem to be more sensitive. I went to a BBQ Sunday. I know I ate foods and I ate more than I normally do. I'm paying the price now. Since Sun no matter what I do my heartburn won't go away. I told my husband from now on even at parties I have to be careful. I used to be able to get away with it more when I was younger. I'm in my forties now. I noticed more "episodes" like this. When I was on vacation recently it took days after I got home for my stomach to get back to normal.
Posted 8/13/2013 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
My GERD started recently (I'm in my early forties). It was soon after my endocrinologist told me he saw markers indicating I was in perimenopause. After reading posts from several forums, it seems that this is common for women to suddenly have Gerd during peri. I know this isn't your case, but maybe the shift in hormones makes Gerd worse for those who have always had it. I saw your other post about periods and heartburn and I have noticed the exact same thing. It took me a while to realize it, but last time, my GERD was almost completely under control and then during that time, whammo! It was awful. Then after it went away I was back to having it under control.
Posted 8/13/2013 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
I have been diagnosed with GERD since I was 14 and even though I am only 18 now, my symptoms feel much more severe too. The two reasons that come to mind for me are the long term effects of acid damage and long term PPI usage. Each time acid goes somewhere that it shouldn't, it does more than just cause a little pain. It scars the tissues that it comes in contact with. The esophagus can take a while to heal this scar tissue and other places like your lungs might need even longer to repair itself. As your esophagus gets more vulnerable, the presence of acid has a larger effect on it since scar tissue is weaker than healthy tissue.

This is why GERD is considered a progressive disease, as it causes itself to become more severe. PPIs also play a part in this since they have many side effects that tend to show up after using them for long periods of time.
Posted 8/13/2013 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to both of you for the advice. I too have thought about it being something with hormones. I think part of it may have to do with perimenopause. Because I have other symptoms associated with that. Thanks again.:)
Posted 8/14/2013 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Misty- I began having GERD episodes in my twenties and I'm now in my late 40s. It does get worse with age. I'm having surgery at the end of the month to fix my condition. I don't know that you're at that point yet, but my recommendation is that you find a good gastroenterologist who can help you address some of your symptoms. There a good medications out there and also life-style changes that might help relieve your symptoms. In the mean time, stay away from spicy, acidic and greasy foods. That should help you in the short-term.
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