heartburn

Yes, both of us had upper endoscopies and were diagnosed with hiatal hernia. That's often a genetic defect and there is lots of it in both our families. Dr prescribed Protonix (a PPI and the one that works for us) BUT the gastroenterologist ALSO told us to raise the head of our bed (impossible here, thus the wedge) and avoid eating anywhere near bedtime, also avoid spicy foods and all the other triggers. Neither of us is overweight or drinks. Hiatal hernia is a medical condition and the surgery is pretty drastic and usually a last ditch measure. My 100 lb mother had hiatal hernia and certainly never over ate or otherwise abused her health. She had to have the esophagus stretching procedure three different times. All of which is not to say that some people do not overindulge and make their own reflux problems, but it sure is not everybody.