Don't Let Heartburn Symptoms Stop You from Enjoying New and Old Favorites
Don't Let Heartburn Symptoms Stop You from Enjoying New and Old Favorites
Gastroenterologist Dr. Su Sachar Reveals How to Treat Frequent Heartburn
CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Whether it's gourmet French cuisine, or a cheesy pepperoni pizza, food lovers of all kinds are taking to the streets, the food blogs, and the trendy food shows to learn more about trying different cuisines or the newest, trendy restaurant in town. While this commonly enjoyed passion is often a satisfying and delicious experience, that's not always the case for the 50 million Americans who suffer from frequent heartburn1 - or who experience heartburn symptoms two or more days a week. According to a recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research for Procter & Gamble, which brings you Prilosec OTC®, 78% of Americans aren't enjoying the activities they love - including trying new foods or eating at restaurants because of their heartburn symptoms.
While frequent heartburn may be a reality for many Americans, the treatment options can often be overwhelming. Dr. Su Sachar, gastroenterologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, makes sure her patients know the difference.
"Unlike antacids that neutralize acid after the fact and histamine2 (H2) blockers that offer quick relief but do not stop heartburn for long, it's possible just one 20.6mg Prilosec OTC pill a day in the morning for 14 days as directed stops frequent heartburn symptoms at the source for 24 hours of zero heartburn," Dr. Sachar noted. "It's important to talk with your doctor to find the right treatment plan that works for you."
"It's possible that, while taking just one pill a day as directed, a 14-day course of Prilosec OTC can control, and in many cases, eliminate frequent heartburn symptoms. Prilosec OTC may take one to four days for full effect and should not be taken for more than 14 days or more often than every four months unless directed by a doctor. It is not intended for immediate relief."
Dr. Sachar offers the following tips for those suffering from frequent heartburn to prevent symptoms:
Get educated. One of the best defenses is to arm yourself with information. Often, my patients are unaware that some medications are designed to block the acid that causes heartburn and some are designed to treat symptoms after they start. Others often fall prey to the common myth that they have to suffer through daily symptoms, without realizing there are proactive treatment methods. The more you know about frequent heartburn, the better you will be able to treat it.
Know your food triggers. Don't avoid your favorite restaurants or experimenting with new flavors. Just be mindful of your heartburn triggers. For most of my patients experiencing frequent heartburn, I recommend eliminating the most common heartburn triggers such as coffee, alcohol, chocolate and spices.
Engage in low-impact exercise. While more than half of people surveyed do not think weight gain impacts frequent heartburn, maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of managing symptoms for many people. It is important to note that high-impact exercises like running or jogging can aggravate symptoms, so check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program.
For more information on how to best manage your frequent heartburn or to see if you qualify for a free sample, visit www.prilosecotc.com
About the Study
The Prilosec OTC Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,001 Americans, ages 18 and older, who experience heartburn episodes two or more days per week, between April 5th and April 24th, 2012, using an email invitation and an online survey.
Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of this variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.
About PRILOSEC OTC
PRILOSEC OTC® is the #1 Doctor recommended† and #1 Pharmacist recommended‡ OTC acid reducer for the treatment of frequent heartburn. PRILOSEC OTC is the #1 selling OTC heartburn medicine* on the market that can work for 24 hours with one pill a day by directly shutting down many acid pumps in your stomach when used as directed for 14 days for treating frequent heartburn. For more information about PRILOSEC OTC, visit www.prilosecotc.com. PRILOSEC OTC is available over-the-counter through an alliance between P&G and AstraZeneca.
† Source Healthcare Analytics: OTC Acid Reducer Category, through June 2012.
‡ Based on Pharmacy Times 2012 Survey.
* P&G calculation based in part on dollars sold reported by The Nielsen Company in the US market for the Stomach Remedies Category for the 12 month period ending the week of January 14, 2012.
About Procter & Gamble
P&G serves approximately 4.4 billion people around the world with its brands. The Company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, Ambi Pur®, SK-II®, and Vicks®. The P&G community includes operations in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
References:
1. National Heartburn Alliance. The Burn Factor: A Survey of the Effects of Frequent Heartburn on Quality of Life. A National Look. Chicago, Ill: National Heartburn Alliance; 2003.
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