Putting Things in Proportion for Heartburn Relief

Large meals can take a toll. Not just on your clothing size, but on your comfort level too. The larger the meal, the longer it takes to digest. And the longer a meal stays in your stomach, the more opportunity there is for the acidic contents in your stomach to escape into your esophagus and cause heartburn.

Today's typical portions are at least 2 times, and sometimes as much as 8 times, larger than the standard serving size recommended by the USDA on their Food Guide Pyramid. Larger muffin tins and pizza pans are two good indicators of this nationwide trend.

There's no need to feel helpless, though, in the face of expanding serving sizes everywhere you turn. You may not always be in control of what you're served, but you are in control of what you eat.

Here are some tips to help you stay in charge.

  • Don't put platters of food on the table. Fill your plate (favor vegetables and salads over fatty entrées)—and then enjoy. Don't go back for seconds
  • Eat slowly so that you have time to feel full
  • Repackage extra-large sizes. Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign showed that when people buy large-size bags of practically anything, they tend to eat more at one sitting, which can increase what they eat by up to 43%
  • Check the nutritional label for the number of servings in a package. Then check the caloric and fat content in each serving. Many people eat 2 or more servings without even realizing it—and without realizing they are getting 2 or more times the calories they are expecting
  • When preparing meals at home, stick with recipes that have modest recommended portion sizes, and don't exceed them.

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Important Safety Information About NEXIUM

In adults 18 and older, side effects with NEXIUM include headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

In children 1 to 17 years of age, side effects with NEXIUM include headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and sleepiness.

Symptom relief does not rule out the presence of other serious stomach conditions.

Before taking NEXIUM, tell your doctor if you are taking atazanavir, nelfinavir, saquinivir, digoxin, iron salts, ketoconazole, voriconazole, cilostazol, or warfarin.

Approved Uses for NEXIUM

NEXIUM is prescribed to treat the symptoms of acid reflux disease, which typically include persistent heartburn on 2 or more days per week, despite treatment and change of diet.

For many people, NEXIUM is also prescribed to heal damage to the esophagus called erosive esophagitis. This damage may be caused over time from stomach acid wearing away the lining of the esophagus. Only a doctor can diagnose this condition. With NEXIUM, most erosions heal in 4 to 8 weeks. Your results with NEXIUM may vary.

Please read the full Prescribing Information and discuss it with your doctor or health care professional.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.