DEAR DR. GOTT: I was prescribed omeprazole 20 milligrams daily following an upper endoscopy. I have been taking this medication for almost a year and have been told that it inhibits the absorption of calcium. I was diagnosed with GERD and a hiatal hernia, plus two small stomach ulcers. I’m a 62-year-old female and have in the past been prescribed Evista, which my doctor took me off after one year and a sufficient bone-density test. Should I continue to take the omeprazole? I have severe stomach cramps that are debilitating for about three days and also vomiting about once a month, even with the medication.

DEAR READER: Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus fails to close properly or is weakened, allowing a backwash of stomach acid into the esophagus. Hiatal hernia occurs as a result of increased abdominal [Read more...]