Q:

Since winter break 2012 I have been getting heart burn off and on, usually minor, but sometime major heart burn. I have also had a burning sensation in my upper stomach/lower chest for the past couple of years. Especially in the morning after breakfast and at night after dinner my stomach feels very acidy and it feels like whatever I ate is not being digested. This sensation worsens when I lay down or run. I usually feel a loss of appetite until my stomach settles a few hours later. Usually, but not always, this sensation worsens with eating oranges, yogurt, eggs, drinking tea. I am really good physical shape because I run a lot, and I am very good about drinking lots of water during the day and eating a variety of foods. What is the problem with my stomach?

 

A:

It certainly sounds like hyperacidity in the stomach lining (gastritis) with episodes of esophageal reflux.  This can be caused by caffeine, use of aspirin or ibuprofen/naproxen, or alcohol.  It can also be caused by a bacterial infection of the stomach lining.

We can assess your symptoms and make a recommendation of medication or other treatment/diagnostic procedures you might want to consider.

~The Doc