What type of Doc to look for?

So I have been having abdominal soreness, heartburn, acid reflux and just general discomfort that all came on suddenly last week. I have never had digestive problems at all before so I went to the nurse practitioner at my family physician's office and she gave me Kapidex as well as telling me to take Mylanta and she ordered a right side abdominal ultrasound which came out negative. She actually suggested that I might end up taking antacids permanently which is not acceptable to me. So I am thinking of seeing some sort of gastroenterologist or internist. Am I thinking correctly? Also, how do I find a doctor that wants to look for the base cause and not just treat symptoms?

BTW,
I am NOT pregnant
I am NOT having heart problems

The Wikipedia says......

"Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the organs from mouth to anus, along the alimentary canal, are the focus of this specialty. Physicians practicing in this field of medicine are called gastroenterologists."

I would also recommend a gastroenterologist. Hope you feel better soon.

It's only been a week or so. Our body can be funky sometimes. Give the antacids a chance to do their thing and see what happens.

If it persists, then your family doctor may refer to you a GI specialist so that you can have an endoscopy.

In the meantime there are things you can do to reduce the acid reflux.

1. Chewing gum or sucking on a lozenge for 30 minutes after meals increases the production of saliva. This saliva can relieve heartburn by bathing the esophagus and lessening the effects of acid refluxed into the esophagus by washing it back down to the stomach.

2. Sit up when you are eating, and stay upright for at least 2 to 3 hours after eating.

3. Eat low acid foods. Certain foods and drinks can trigger the symptoms of acid reflux. Different people will react differently to these foods, so it is important to take the time to recognize the foods that affect you. When you start to feel the symptoms of acid reflux, write down what you just ate and exactly how itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s affecting you (i.e. heartburn, upset stomach).

4. Foods to Avoid with Acid Reflux:
- Fried and fatty foods
- Spicy and heavily seasoned foods
- Onions and garlic
-Orange juice and tomato juice
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- Peppermint and spearmint
- Soft drinks

5. Avoid physical exertion directly after eating and try to wait at least an hour before engaging in any kind of exercise.

6. Avoid stress. strong emotions can cause you to tense up, contracting the stomach muscles.

7. Get regular exercise, avoid smoking.

8. Dont' wear tight fitting clothing around your midsection or wearing your belt too tight.

9. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Larger meals take longer to digest and can often put extra pressure on the stomach. You can avoid this by eating five or six smaller meals more frequently throughout the day rather than eating three large meals.

10. Eat your largest meal at lunchtime to avoid the potential hazards that come from lying down and resting in the evening after a large dinner. Also, remember to eat in an upright and relaxed position to avoid putting extra strain on your belly.

If you decide to see a doctor, ask for a reference to a Gastroenterologist! I see one twice a year and it makes life SOOOO much better!! I have a few GI issues (GERD, Lactose Intolerance, Insulin Resistance, IBS, Gastroparesis,etc...), so a good GI is a lifesaver in my opinion! Mine put me through quite a few tests at first because I was VERY sick when I initially went to see him- so be patient if they want to run some tests on you. Hope you feel better soon!

In a side note, start keeping a food journal of EVERYTHING you eat now. Record every meal, what you ate, time, and how you felt afterwards. It will be a helpful tool when you go in to see the doctor. You may need to make some dietary changes- the best way to know is through a food journal. Google it and you should be able to find a few examples.