Psychology Week1

PSY/201 FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY

05/11/2013

Researching alternative medicines for my GERD.

I was diagnosed with Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in 2010, I have been on prescription strength Omeprazole since then. For the past year I had noticed that my medication wasn’t as effective in managing the symptoms of my GERD. I scheduled an appointment with my doctor, but it was more than a month away. I decided to see if there was a way to try different ways of treating my GERD without going through severe symptoms.

I also decided to start researching alternative medications and treatments for my condition. I had started to wonder if the medication was hurting me biologically because it does lessen a natural body function, so looking at a different way to treat my GERD appealed to me. Since I had a research essay to do in English Composition II, I decided to write down what I learned as my essay.

I found out through online research that there was no alternative medication for the treatment of GERD on the market. There was, of course other types of medications to treat my symptoms, but they were even stronger than what I was taking. I also learned that there are different surgeries that a person can have to get rid of GERD and it symptoms.

Through doing the research I found out that though there are surgeries being performed for this condition the side-effects and risks were too great for me to consider it. I found out that changing my lifestyle may help my symptoms become better, so that is something I will consider. I have decided to speak to my doctor about starting a stronger medicine and will be asking for a referral to a specialist that will help me manage my GERD.

If I hadn’t done this research I wouldn’t know what options I had for my condition. I would still be in the dark, following doctor’s orders without the knowledge to protect my health. I do feel that there are professionals who do similar...