Sara Gaggi is a 51-year-old overweight white female with HTN who presents for an evaluation of heartburn that has been increasing in both intensity and frequency during the past 18 months. She reports...

Sara Gaggi is a 51-year-old overweight white female with HTN who presents for an evaluation of heartburn that has been increasing in both intensity and frequency during the past 18 months. She reports epigastric burning after eating. It is worse after eating spicy foods or drinking red wine. She is occasionally awakened at night with symptoms. OTC antacids and H 2 -receptor antagonists relieved her symptoms initially, but lately they have provided only minimal relief. Her only routine medication is amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker for her high blood pressure. Because the symptoms are increasing and her current therapy is not relieving her symptoms, an endoscopy was performed, which revealed the presence of GERD.

1. How would you describe to Sara the dangers of self-medicating GERD symptoms with OTC medications?

2. What three risk factors in this case predispose Sara for the development of GERD?

3. What medications will her health care provider likely prescribe?