system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 30-year-old man presents with heartburn for the past couple of weeks. He says he feels a burning sensation in his chest, at times reaching his throat, usually worse after eating spicy foods. He is overweight and actively trying to lose weight. He also has tried other lifestyle modifications for the past couple of months, but symptoms have not improved. He denies any history of cough, difficulty swallowing, hematemesis, or melena. The patient says he often drinks a can of beer in the evening after work and does not smoke. His blood pressure is 124/82 mm Hg, pulse is 72/min and regular, and respiratory rate is 14/min. Abdominal tenderness is absent. Which of the following is the next best step in the management of this patient?
assistant
Start omeprazole.