| > | | | | loss, fungal infection and Barrett’s esophagus |
| | | | — just to mention a few! |
| In a society where convenience sometimes takes | | | | The medical community would have us believe that |
| precedence over common sense, pills have taken the | | | | drugs are the only answer to the problem of acid |
| place of ancient healing techniques and natural | | | | reflux. Doctors are not taught nutrition or natural |
| therapies. Drugs taken on a regular basis can be more | | | | healing techniques in med school. As a result they |
| dangerous than the illness itself. There are easy | | | | depend on prescription drugs to treat the symptoms |
| natural techniques and remedies which can heal the | | | | of acid reflux disease. They unfortunately know |
| acid reflux condition without the use of harmful drugs. | | | | nothing about how to cure the condition itself. |
| Recent statistics from the US Department of Health | | | | PPI drugs are very big business. Annual global sales |
| and Human Services suggest that over seven million | | | | for PPI drugs alone reached well over six billion dollars |
| people suffer from severe acid reflux in the U.S. | | | | in 2002. One can only guess what those statistics are |
| alone. It is estimated that over fifteen million | | | | today. One can only imagine the extent of the |
| Americans suffer from chronic heartburn, as well. | | | | damage these drugs are causing people all over the |
| The incidence of acid reflux is greater in people over | | | | world. |
| the age of forty, but it can affect anyone, even | | | | I am happy to say that we are not limited to |
| infants. Acid reflux affects people of every age, | | | | pharmaceuticals in order to rid ourselves of the acid |
| socioeconomic class and race. | | | | reflux condition. There are many alternative |
| Simply put, acid reflux occurs when stomach acid | | | | techniques and procedures which can be employed |
| splashes up through the lower esophageal sphincter | | | | to accomplish that end. As a veteran of the acid |
| (LES) into the esophagus and throat. This reflux of | | | | reflux drug battle, I am living proof that one can heal |
| acid can be the result of many things including diet, | | | | themselves of acid reflux by using what I call natural |
| alcohol consumption, smoking, hiatal hernia, stress and | | | | medicine. |
| even pregnancy. When this refluxed acid hits the | | | | When I found out that my doctor had exhausted all |
| tender lining of the esophagus, it causes a painful | | | | possibilities of helping me, outside of the PPI drug |
| burning sensation in the chest and, or throat. Other | | | | regime, I knew that I was on my on. I had to heal |
| symptoms include difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), | | | | myself. To my surprise, through research and study, |
| hoarseness, asthma and dental erosion. | | | | I found that curing acid reflux disease is really quite |
| If left untreated, this condition can evolve into more | | | | simple. |
| severe and life threatening diseases like | | | | With a few modest changes in lifestyle and with the |
| Barrett’s Esophagus, which is a precursor | | | | help of several natural remedies, one can absolutely |
| cancer. In an attempt to avoid the more serious | | | | win the battle against acid reflux without the use of |
| consequences of acid reflux, people are resorting | | | | drugs. |
| more and more to pharmaceutical drugs. | | | | There are many natural ingredients found in any |
| There are three classifications of drugs which treat | | | | health store, which can help during the acid reflux |
| and acid reflux. The first of these are antacids, which | | | | recovery period. Herbs, such as marshmallow, slippery |
| neutralize the acid in your stomach and are at best | | | | elm and bladderwrack have wonderful healing |
| only a temporary fix. They are loaded with harmful | | | | properties. Aloe vera, licorice and natural honey can |
| ingredients such as sodium and aluminum. The next | | | | sooth the esophagus and assist in the healing |
| group of drugs is called H2 Blockers. They reduce the | | | | process. Chewing gum between meals actually |
| amount of acid that the stomach produces and | | | | neutralizes stomach acid. |
| provide longer lasting relief than antacids. Finally there | | | | There are many simple things which contribute to the |
| are the PPI drugs (proton pump inhibitors), which shut | | | | acid reflux condition which most people overlook; |
| off the proton pumps in the stomach that | | | | insufficient water consumption is one of them. Eating |
| manufacture hydrochloric acid. | | | | too rapidly and chewing food improperly is another. |
| PPI drugs should only be used for eight weeks, at | | | | Eating smaller, more frequent meals is helpful. |
| most. It says so right on the package. Doctors | | | | Substituting Kukicha Twig tea for coffee makes the |
| certainly know this but allow if not encourage most | | | | body more alkaline. Have fruit, like bananas and |
| patients to continue taking these drugs on a | | | | melons instead of cereal for breakfast. Snacks of |
| permanent basis. | | | | walnuts, almonds and more fruit will keep you going |
| PPI drugs actually shut down the pumps that produce | | | | throughout the day. At dinner eat lightly and at least |
| the stomach acid necessary to digest and assimilate | | | | two hours before retiring. You certainly don’t |
| food. This is an essential function of our physical | | | | have to starve yourself, but try to stay away from |
| anatomy. Another point of concern is that stomach | | | | those acid reflux “trigger” foods. |
| acid keeps very dangerous bacteria, which live in the | | | | It does take a new approach to life, in general, to |
| stomach and intestines, in check. | | | | heal a stubborn acid reflux condition. Think of it as an |
| There are, unfortunately, no studies that can | | | | exciting challenge. You will feel so much better and |
| determine the long term effects of these drugs. We | | | | your health will improve. It will have been worth the |
| do, however, know what the potential harmful side | | | | effort. |
| effects are and there are hundreds of them. They | | | | In a society where convenience sometimes takes |
| include: allergic reaction, back and chest pain, fatigue, | | | | precedence over common sense, pills have taken the |
| fever, flu-like disorder, hypertension, constipation, GI | | | | place of ancient healing techniques and natural |
| hemorrhage, vomiting, tinnitus, anemia, vitamin B12 | | | | therapies. Drugs taken on a regular basis can be more |
| deficiency, weight gain, arthritis, fibromyalgia | | | | dangerous than the illness itself. |
| syndrome, anorexia, depression, dizziness, impotence, | | | | Take command of your health and use natural |
| insomnia, migraine, visual field defect, menstrual | | | | resources to free yourself of those acid reflux drugs. |
| disorder, asthma aggravated, pharyngitis, acne, taste | | | | |