How to manage acid reflux and dysphagia at 26?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

First, I would like to reassure you that dysphagia and reflux symptoms are prevalent and more common than esophageal cancer. I want to reassure you that this is very unlikely to be esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer is more common in older patients who have a history of smoking and or alcohol abuse. In patients with reflux symptoms, those symptoms are usually longstanding and progress to Barrett's esophagus before any cancer develops. I think that you have gastroesophageal reflux, and I think your symptoms can be easily managed.

• Start an over-the-counter reflux medication. I recommend Ranitidine 150 mg every 12 hours. It takes about 30 minutes to start working, and you can take this as soon as you get up in the morning.
• Make sure not to eat for two to three hours before going to bed.
• Avoid spicy or acidic foods, especially for breakfast when you complain you have the most symptoms. This would include avoiding ketchup, citric fruit juices, coffee, and tea. Try to eat a very bland diet for the next two to four weeks and see if that improves. Eggs and toast, for example, caffeine can cause acid, and so I recommend avoiding coffee and tea.
• If you must have it (as I can understand), try to wait until later in the morning and make sure that you have some coffee or tea with food (even just a dry piece of toast). If your symptoms have not improved in one month, you may need to see a gastroenterologist to be evaluated for esophagitis or an ulcer.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.