That's a lot of stomach problems. Blame stress and an ageing population ? and above all, experts say, they blame habit of Americans eat too much.
Turn 40, and suddenly talks about digestive problems in urgent fascination. Garlic just does not sit right over. Or Mexican food, perhaps ? or onions or red wine. Or above.
The ubiquity of acid reflux has turned into a stone of touch of medium-sized American culture age, with over-the-counter medications to proliferate in commercial television and resources such as magnetic bracelets very upset offered by Internet.
Friends compare symptoms and remedies on Facebook. Sleep through the night disturbed by heartburn and digestive backup becomes an important goal of life. The table with the glasses to read and small bottle of Tums has become one of the pillars of the decor of the home of 50 years.
Relax, middle-aged Americans. It is not the age. It is chronic indulgence.
"There was a kind that came in, turned out to be Girl Scouts cookie season,", said Dr. Ronald Hsu, a gastroenterologist Sutter Roseville Medical Center. "At the moment, we have had a diagnosis".
Extra weight around the Middle, that is, is one of the main culprits behind Chronicle of gastroesophageal reflux. More than 40 percent of the population reaches more than once or twice per week, for antacids suffer from heartburn which is serious enough to withdraw with the doctor.
But the acid reflux can occur at any age, even the younger group. Don Gloor, for example, recalls are chronic heartburn as a university student whose diet includes Caribbean and tequila.
"Always had a roll of Tums close, but really I do not think about it," said Gloor, now 53, who works for the State and live in Carmichael. "As mellowed would have, happened less."
Here is howacid reflux works. When the sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach is weak, acid can backwash to the esophagus during digestion, leading to a range of symptoms associated with reflux ? of acidity and queasiness cough, asthma and a predisposition for hiccups.
The problem can be particularly annoying at night, with episodes of acidity interrupt sleep. The solution? Not going to bed with a full stomach: a light dinner food three hours before going to bed is a good idea. Also, avoid sleeping on your back.
"Anything that increases the pressure of the stomach increases reflux," Hsu said. "Those who are more obese have symptoms more." "Pregnant women can have reflux over".
Even modest amounts of weight can lead to acid reflux problems. Women with a BMI of 25 to 27, considered only slightly overweight, more than double that to develop the disease, researchers at Boston University found.
What to do? First, avoid antacids with mint flavour. Peppermint relaxes the valve between the stomach and the esophagus, worsening the problem.
For many people, weight loss helps to relieve the pressure of stomach and solve your acid reflux. Others find that avoiding a list of foodstuffs which make life worth living ? food chocolate, spicy, citrus, ? of alcohol and caffeine can help to relieve the symptoms of acid reflux.
"From time to time, I can have a drink or bar of caramel or perhaps a glass of wine," said Brian Lampman, 52, who lives in Auburn and was diagnosed with acid reflux for six years. "It looks good and sounds good, but you leave have, because you bother you later."
