Q: I am working in a private company and have the following problems:1.I had heart burning sensation after taking food (taken many tablets but of no use), I went for a barium meal test and I said that I have duodenal ulcer; 2. I also have burning sensation in stomach so the doctor did endoscopy and then said that there was a problem in the oesophagus (due to smoking, no ulcer); 3. He gave me some tablets and to some extent I am relieved but again I feel a burning sensation in stomach after taking spicy food; 4. I have pain in the middle of the stomach but not continuous. I have stopped smoking (for the past 10 months). Please suggest the right treatment to get permanent relief.

A:It is unclear what your investigations showed. The best method of diagnosis is endoscopy. If there was no ulcer but only inflammation of the esophagus, you have a condition called reflux esophagitis and you need to take the following steps: 1. Raise the head of the bed by 4 inches by means of a block of wood or a brick. 2. Lose weight if you are overweight. 3. Avoid a large meal at night and do not go to bed for at least 2 hours after meals. 4. Avoid smoking. 5. Take a Proton pump inhibitor such as Prilosec, one tablet once or twice a day.