Heartburn is pain that starts behind the breastbone and rises up into the chest, typically after meals. For some tips on how to reduce your heartburn and GERD, see “Practical Do’s and Don’ts,” page 6.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is regurgitation of stomach acid into the esophagus–which connects the back of the throat to the stomach—and results in GERD’s number one symptom, heartburn. There is no known single cause of GERD, but symptoms are a result of the damage caused by stomach acid that enters the esophagus.
Nausea OR Vomiting—If caused by a drug, nausea will likely disappear when that drug is stopped. Like diarrhea, nausea or vomiting can be caused by HIV drugs or other medications and by a variety of illnesses, though the causes for nausea can sometimes be different than for vomiting.
Diarrhea—The most common illness associated with HIV. While HIV meds are often the culprit, medications like antibiotics can also cause the runs. Other causes include viruses, bacteria, parasites, irritable bowel syndrome, fatty or spicy foods and lactose intolerance.
