Heartburn Remedy Tips

from Charles Stewart Richey


There are many people who suffer from acid reflux and want to get off the proton pump inhibitor drugs (PPI drugs). The main action of this group of pharmaceuticals is the long acting reduction of gastric acid production. These include Prevacid, Prilosec, Nexium and Protonix.

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.

© 2007 Wind Publishing

For free recipes, articles and information about acid reflux, please visit: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

from Dtm


There are times when you may experience a burning and painful discomfort just behind the breastbone. This burning sensation that you are experiencing is commonly called heartburn, and most people tend to suffer from frequent heartburn.

Heartburn doesn’t have anything to do with your heart. Rather heartburn is what occurs when digested food juices go back into the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube like structure that connects the throat to your stomach.

When the digested food juices go back into the esophagus it is called reflux. The stomach has a high amount of acid within it to help breakdown the various foods that we eat. There is a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter or LES that normally separates the esophagus from the stomach. It is when the LES fails to work correctly or when it relaxes frequently at the wrong moment that we experience frequent heartburn.

Doctors can easily miss heartburn as the correct diagnosis, and frequently do, heart attack being the more common diagnosis. It’s easy to see why really. The chest pain, the burning sensation just behind your breastbone, shortness of breath, blurry vision, all these can be symptoms of either a heart attack, or heartburn.

There are certain triggers in our lifestyles and eating habits that cause heartburn. The triggers vary from person to person, and from lifestyles and dietary habits. However there are some common factors.

They include the following. Eating foods such as citrus fruits and drinks, chocolate, peppermint, tomatoes or tomato-based products and fatty or spicy foods. Drinking beverages such as coffee, tea, and sodas that have caffeine substances in them. Also drinking carbonated fizzy drinks and alcoholic beverages can relax the LES.

Heartburn has varying degrees to it. There is episodic heartburn which is generally experienced. There is the more serious GERD disease. Then there is frequent heartburn. This is the type of heartburn that occurs two or more days a week. Frequent heartburn affects people who may be using medication for heartburn symptoms at least two or more days of the week.

For sufferers of frequent heartburn there is at the moment only one type of relief. This is the proton pump inhibitor or the PPI as it is also known as. PPIs are powerful inhibitors of stomach acid production. They virtually shut down the acid pumps in the cells of the stomach. As this is where stomach the acid is produced, the PPIs eliminate the excess amounts of acid leaving only enough acid for the normal digestion of food.

Prilosec medication is the only over the counter medication that you can get for frequent heartburn. Prilosec is specifically indicated for frequent heartburn usage, and can provide 24-hour relief from the symptoms of frequent heartburn. You will only need to take one pill daily as medical directions state for 14 days.

For frequent heartburn sufferers a complete change in their lifestyles and eating habits may not be enough. Should there be an increase in the pain then having a medical diagnosis may be helpful in correcting your frequent heartburn pain. Stop procrastinating, and delaying, go to your doctor today and get yourself relief from your heartburn.