Medslant Acid Reflux Newsletter

Contradictory information about acid reflux

Many physicians start treatment by advocating lifestyle changes either alone or with a prescription for proton pump inhibitors. But there are a growing number of physicians and other medical health care professionals who prefer a natural approach, i.e. lifestyle changes and natural substances that they claim treat reflux more effectively and safely.

One of these physicians is Leo Galland, MD, a Harvard educated, board certified internist. Dr. Galland is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and The American College of Nutrition. He is the author of numerous scientific articles, textbook chapters, and popular books on nutrition.

Acid suppressants can make you vulnerable to food borne illnesses according to Dr. Galland. We know that stomach acid is primarily responsible for digesting food; but it has another important function ' it kills the germs that are present in our food and drink. Bacteria growth becomes more abundant in the stomach and upper intestine when stomach acid is suppressed. This may aggravate symptoms like bloating, belching, and heartburn, and, according to Dr. Galland, this may be the reason that some think the use of proton pump inhibitors can increase pneumonia risk. Whatever is in the drugs that make the feeling of heartburn leave your chest is missing to kill off incoming bacteria and viruses. And I have reported to you a couple of times about the results of the 2006 study that found that people who had been on proton pump inhibitors for a year or more increased their risk of hip fractures by 44%. This is probably caused because insufficient stomach acid negatively impacts the body's ability to absorb nutrients like calcium.

Many proton pump inhibitor users really don't need the drugs continues Galland. He believes that alternative methods and natural substances can treat acid reflux disease effectively and safely and the drugs should only be used if other methods fail. And, he adds, the drugs should not be used for more than three weeks. His advice is surprisingly simple:

* Eat smaller meals * Wait at least 3 hours after eating to lie down * Elevate your head and torso six inches so that gravity works for you.

Dr. Galland also recommends taking calcium to treat reflux because it strengthens the valve between the stomach and esophagus and stimulates the lower part of the esophagus to contract and expel food back into the stomach. But he cautions that the calcium supplement must be chewable or added in powder form to liquid or it won't dissolve and release it contents into the stomach. He also recommends taking the calcium immediately following a meal.

But don't give up your drugs cold turkey and don't make the decision yourself. If you regularly take proton pump inhibitors your body has likely adjusted to the lack of stomach acid by increasing acid producing cells. These cells will work overtime resulting in a painful overload if you stop drugs immediately. It is better to taper off over a period of several months. All of this, of course, should be done under a doctor's supervision. If you decide to try to give up your drugs, consult your physician or health care professional first. It is never a good idea to stop drugs or change the dosage without consulting the prescribing physician.

Many physicians agree with these suggestions including Mike Roizen, MD, coauthor with Mehmet Oz, MD of YOU! The Owner's Manual, and chief medical officer at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Roizen's suggestion is to first try an OTC such as Pepcid or Zantac because these drugs work by blocking histamine from stimulating the stomach cells that produce acid. But you need to know that these drugs do not provide a long term fix. Dr. Roizen's best suggestion is to lose weight. He says that extra belly fat changes the angle of and puts pressure on your esophagus, opening the valve that is supposed to prevent stomach acid leaks. This makes it easy for the burning sensation to travel to your chest.



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