High in popularity at the moment, one of these heartburn medications, Nexium, even got to the position of third-biggest selling drug in the world, racking up over $5.7 billion in 2005. Such classical treatments are often used for relief by millions of people afflicted by the painful symptoms of gastro esophageal disease, the most prevalent of which is no doubt heartburn.
1. The upward trend in the number of GERD (Acid Reflux) patients in the western world is set to continue. There are approximately 25 million acid reflux victims with recurrent heartburn in 2006 alone in America.
2. Drugs for GERD are backed by huge marketing resources, publicity campaigns and by doctors prescribing them to patients.
3. Consumers now obtain such drugs with ease, buying them over the counter where a prescription was required before. About ten years previously, the Food and Drug Administration gave its sign-off for over the counter commerce of Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, Zantac 75 and a number of other medicaments also came of the prescription-only list.
With the popularity of such heartburn medicine still increasing, the question is whether such drugs have the desired results when it comes to resolving the basic cause of this medical problem and if the alleviation justifies the secondary effects. Before any final judgment on the matter, we'll rapidly review the nature of acid reflux disease and heartburn, its most frequent manifestation.
In physiological terms, GERD is the consequence of an excessively high exposure of the esophagus to stomach juices. This problem comes about because of a weakened LES or lower esophageal sphincter. The LES is a circular valve made of muscle closing off the esophagus from the stomach. In cases of acid reflux disease, the LES fails to shut as it should, and stomach content finds its way back into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn. Another factor that degrades conditions for GERD is poor esophageal evacuation of gastric juices.
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, such as Alka-Seltzer. They bring relief of a few hours by neutralizing acidity in the esophagus. Upon taking the antacid, the neutralization of the stomach acid begins immediately, to prevent corrosion of the esophagus.
2. Alginates act by creating an ark that envelopes the stomach contents to reduce reflux.
3. H2-receptor antagonists such as HB, Zantac 75 and Pepcid AC. By preventing the stomach cells from secreting acid, these drugs stop the gastric system and the stomach from producing acid. H2-receptor antagonists have to be taken prior to any heartburn if relief is to be produced.
4. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) such as Nexium, which prevent the "proton pump" in the stomach cells from working to prevent the release of stomach acid.
Serious side effects may occur in treatments for heartburn that use such medicaments. In the first place, they may cause headaches, diarrhea and in some cases osteoporosis. Following that, their long-term impact is limited and the chance of physical long-term dependency correspondingly greater. Finally, turning to medication as the only way to treat heartburn is a poor approach, which works on the symptoms but ignores the root cause of GERD. Ignoring the causes like this can over time worsen your condition and even cause serious complications medically.
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.
Aside from being a really tasty and nutritious fruit high in vitamins and minerals, bananas contain virtually no fat, sodium, or cholesterol. For this reason, bananas are not only an integral part of a healthy diet, they can be used as a natural remedy to treat and prevent a number of health issues including, insomnia, depression, anemia, hypertension, and heartburn.
How exactly can a banana help with heartburn? Bananas have a natural antacid effect on the body. They primarily suppress acid secretion in the stomach by coating and protecting the stomach from acid, which helps against the formation of stomach ulcers and ulcer damage.
There are two ways in which the antacid property of a banana helps suppress acid:
Firstly, bananas contain a substance that encourages the activation of the cells that make up the lining of the stomach. As a result, a thicker mucus barrier is formed to provide the stomach with more protection against acid.
Secondly, bananas feature compounds called ?protease inhibitors?, which help to eliminate certain bacteria within the stomach that have been found to contribute to the development of stomach ulcers.
How can I add bananas to my diet? If you would like to help prevent heartburn by incorporating bananas, try eating a banana a half-hour before a meal, or directly after a meal. Some GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) sufferers also find eating a banana during a meal or half a banana before and after a meal beneficial. It's also a good idea to eat a banana when heartburn symptoms appear.
If the idea of eating a plain banana doesn't thrill you, there are more fun and tasty ways you can add bananas to your diet. The following are some suggestions:
Eat dried banana or mashed banana as a snack
Cut up a fresh banana or use dried banana pieces and add it to cereal, yogurt, and salads
Make a banana smoothie with live cultured yoghurt
Banana shake (if you are allergic to milk and milk products, substitute with soy milk)
Banana split ? go easy on the ice cream
Banana bread
Banana muffins
Banana cake
Fruit bowl (excluding citrus fruits)
Banana sandwich with cinnamon
Here are a few other facts to keep in mind when making banana recipes:
Bananas with green tips are best used for cooking or should be left to ripen before eating.
Bananas with yellow tips are best for eating
Bananas that are browning or have dark brown or black specks are ideal for baking (Note: the more ripe the banana, the sweeter it will be because the starch has turned to sugar, making it better for baking)
Bananas are the most popular fruit in America, are available all year round, and are low in cost, so it shouldn't be too difficult for you to make acid reflux banana remedies part of your regular diet. However, it is important that you eat bananas according to your lifestyle requirement. Keep in mind that Bananas are high in sugar. Thus, if you are eating more than one banana per day, you do need to burn off the energy you are providing your body to maintain a healthy body weight. Also, refrain from eating bananas close to bedtime because acid reflux can still occur when you are sleeping as the lower esophagus sphincter relaxes.
Both Jeff Martin & Kathryn Whittaker 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 Martin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Anger Control and Acid Reflux. Jeff Martin is an author of the best-selling e-book, "Heartburn No More- Open The Door To an Acid Reflux Free Life". To Learn More About His Unique 5-Step Holistic Acid Reflux Cure System Visit:. Jeff Martin's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.
Kathryn Whittaker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Pregnancy Problems and Acid Reflux. Grab your free copy of Kathryn Whittaker's brand new Acid Reflux & GERD Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you discover more about the. Kathryn Whittaker's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.