Classical treatments are often used for alleviation by millions of people enduring the pain and discomfort of symptoms of gastro esophageal disease, the most frequent of which is by all accounts heartburn. A massive seller at the moment, one of these medications for heartburn, Nexium, even became the number three worldwide for drug sales, clocking up over $5.7 billion in 2005.
1. The mounting number of GERD (Acid Reflux) patients in the western world will only continue. In 2006 alone, there were approximately 25 million acid reflux patients with recurrent heartburn in America.
2. Drugs for GERD are marketed with huge financial resources, advertising and publicity, and by physicians prescribing them to patients.
3. Consumers can now purchase such drugs over the counter, a big change from the prescription that was required before. A decade ago, the Food and Drug Administration agreed to over the counter sales of Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, Zantac 75 and extended a number of other medicaments from the prescription-only list.
Before passing any final judgment on the subject, let's quickly go over the nature of acid reflux disease and heartburn, its most frequent external symptom. With the rising popularity of classical heartburn treatment, the big question when using such remedies is whether such drugs have the desired effects when it comes to eradicating the root causes of this medical problem and if the alleviation is better than the potential secondary effects.
Another factor that encouraging conditions for GERD is when the esophagus fails to evacuate gastric juices. In physiological terms, GERD is the after effect of the esophagus having excessively high exposure to stomach juices. This problem comes about because of a weakened LES or lower esophageal sphincter. The LES muscle is a circular valve separating the esophagus from the stomach. In cases of acid reflux disease, the LES does not close correctly, and stomach contents moves back up into the esophagus, giving symptoms of heartburn.
These hidden elements must be treated. If not, there is no permanent answer for this medical problem. It turns out that as well as local reasons for acid reflux, other reasons include genetic characteristics (independent of our control) and other hidden factors and co-factors that creating the context that triggers acid reflux.
Any GERD medication will be one of four kinds:
1. Antacids (the prime example is Alka-Seltzer). By the neutralization of acid in the esophagus, antacids bring relief for a few hours. Upon taking the antacid, the neutralization of the stomach acid starts at once, to prevent further esophageal corrosion.
2. Alginates relieve symptoms by "wrapping up" stomach contents to decrease problems of reflux.
3. H2-receptor antagonists such as HB, Zantac 75 and Pepcid AC, actually stop the gastric system and the stomach from producing acid, preventing the stomach cells from leaking acid. If relief is to be effected, patients must use H2-receptor antagonists ahead of time and any heartburn.
4. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) such as Nexium, which stop the gastric cells "proton pump" from functioning in order to stop acid being created.
So we see that adopting medication as the unique solution to treat heartburn is really unsatisfactory, because it only works on the symptoms, but misses the root cause of GERD. Neglect of causes such as these can worsen your condition over time, leading potentially to even more medical complications. Such treatments for heartburn may also have serious side effects. Headaches, diarrhea and for some patients, osteoporosis, have all been identified as potential additional ailments. Also, their long-term impact is poor and the chance of long term dependency physically therefore more pronounced.
Using a holistic agenda, with particular herbal and vitamin elements, and by sticking to a complete set of dietary principles, getting rid of toxins and using Candida control protocols, a natural and lasting cure is available for your medical problem. Now you know that your discomforting and painful heartburn symptoms of GERD can be eradicated in a lasting and holistic way without recourse to medication for heartburn.
Gerd Acid Reflux Symptoms
These drugs are convenient to use and can be initially useful, but many find that the side effects outweigh the benefits. When it comes to quitting them, one will find that it is not so easy.
PPI drugs are supposed to be used for a restricted period of time, however most patients continue their use indefinitely. Not only do patients abuse these drugs, but also the physicians who prescribe them. Unfortunately, there are no studies regarding the effects of the long term use of these drugs. One has to question whether the prolonged use of PPI drugs is really safe.
We do know that by reducing the production of stomach acid, the proper digestion and assimilation of food is restricted. Are chronic users of these drugs suffering from a form of malnutrition? It is important to keep in mind that stomach acid also keeps potentially dangerous intestinal bacteria in check. So what may seem to be acid reflux utopia, in reality may be acid reflux hell.
When one stops these drugs, after prolonged use, the acid pumps turn on again and come back with a vengeance producing more acid than they did before. This is referred to as ?acid reflux rebound?. This is often such a terrible and frightening experience that most people become quickly discouraged and immediately get back on the drugs. This ?catch 22? situation has proven to be a virtual gold mine for the pharmaceutical companies, who make billions of dollars in profits each year.
It is a horrible position to be in. You know you want to quite these drugs. They stop working and you are instructed to double the dose. You make an effort to stop, but it all backfires on you. Your throat burns like its on fire and your doctor tells you that if you don't take the drugs you may develop esophageal cancer. Who wouldn't be frightened?
Now for the good news; there are non-pharmaceutical things that one can do to survive ?acid reflux rebound? and get back on the right track.
At this point there is most likely damage to the esophagus. One cannot hope to improve until the esophagus is well again.
In order to heal the esophageal damage, there are a few things to be considered. First and foremost one must temporarily change their diet. By now everyone should be aware of what foods and beverages trigger their acid reflux. Replace these offending foods with mild, easy to digest foods.
Instead of a slice of pizza with acidic tomato sauce, have a salad. Substitute that morning cup of coffee with a cup of tea. Have a glass of white instead of red wine with dinner. It's just a matter of common sense, but these changes are necessary during the acid reflux recovery period.
In order to defeat the acid reflux syndrome, one must attempt to become as alkaline as possible. Anything which has an acidic effect on the body should be eliminated. Smoking is perhaps the most acidic thing one can do. Eating too much at one time causes an over production of stomach acid. Aerobic exercise actually causes the body to become more alkaline in nature.
Drinking copious amounts of clean fresh water will help flush out the acidic toxins which accumulate in the body. A body which is properly hydrated is rarely acidic in nature. A glass of water after a meal is a good idea, but drinking much of anything with meals is counter productive. This dilutes the digestive fluids, causing the stomach to produce more acid.
Believe it or not, chewing gum between meals is beneficial. Chewing produces saliva which is very alkaline. Chewing gum after meals puts more alkalinity in the stomach to counteract the over production of acid.
There are many natural ingredients found in grocery and health food stores, which can help during the acid reflux recovery period. Herbs, such as marshmallow and slippery elm have wonderful healing properties. Licorice, natural honey and aloe vera juice can sooth the esophageal lining and assist in the healing process.
There are very few cases of acid reflux which can't be successfully treated if one understands what causes this condition. Simple things like eating slowly and chewing food thoroughly, in a pleasant relaxed atmosphere, can reduce ones chances of having acid reflux.
We do not have to be prisoners of this drug oriented ?acid reflux rebound? effect. It is unfortunate that most doctors rely on pharmaceuticals as the only solution to the acid reflux condition.
With a little education regarding the causes of acid reflux and the knowledge of natural medicine, one can survive ?acid reflux rebound? and go on to live a normal life. We are at the brink of a new era where the patient must sometimes also be the healer.
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Both Jeff W. Martin & Charles Stewart Richey are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jeff W. Martin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Anger Control and Acid Reflux. Jeff Martin is a certified nutritionist and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, . To Learn More About Heartburn Medication Visit:. Jeff W. Martin's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
Charles Stewart Richey has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Pets and Acid Reflux. Charles Stewart Richey is a self-educated expert on how to cure acid reflux disease by natural means. He has written an extensive report entitled, REFLUX GONE FOREVER, Natural Acid Reflux Remedies.For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natura. Charles Stewart Richey's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.
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