Given the high number of people suffering from acid reflux symptoms and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it is not surprising how many acid fluxes have been manufactured for both the drug and non-drug markets.
Years ago, a group of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were found to be successful in reducing stomach acid production. No wonder pharmaceutical companies have jumped on this and created several variations of these drugs, some of which are much more potent than the original PPIs.
There are basically 5 types of acid reflux medications that can treat “some” or “most” people effectively. Keep in mind that these medications only treat the symptoms of acid reflux and cannot actually cure it.
Classifications of drugs for acid reflux:
1. Antacids – Antacids are available by prescription and over the counter.
2. Sucralfate – This requires a prescription and is used when the tissue in the esophagus has been damaged.
3. H-2 blockers – prescription and non-prescription. Developed in the 1970s, it was the first drug actually able to lower stomach acid levels.
4. Motility enhancing agents – only on prescription. Used by people who have poor movement or mobility of fluids, also known as peristalsis, which is the motion used by the esophagus, intestines, etc. to move fluid and material throughout the body.
5. Proton pump inhibitors – prescription and non-prescription. There is a pump in the acid-secreting cells of the stomach called the proton pump, and PPi’s actually inhibit this pump, reducing the acid product.
The severity of a person’s symptoms will determine the medication. There are many different products within the 5 categories listed above and you can check the manufacturers’ websites for information such as side effects and dosage etc.
After reviewing some of the drugs from the above group, the list of possible side effects is amazing and it’s a wonder how they can even be legal and then why so many people would choose to take them. For example, the pro-mobility drug called Reglan, made with the drug metoclopramide, is commonly prescribed for problematic acid reflux and has a list of side effects such as:
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of the mouth
- abnormal thinking
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
- uncontrolled muscle spasms
The list goes on and on, but you get the idea…. no thanks!
Of course is also an option
Hopefully by reading this article you will be able to try a natural approach to curing and preventing acid reflux. More and more people today are avoiding medication whenever possible and are looking for alternative, natural ways to prevent and cure diseases.
There are times when a prescription drug simply needs to be used in extremely painful situations or in situations of no choice, but when you have options, then natural remedies and a healthy diet make good, shared, and healthy sense.
Diet can make all the difference
After reading many books on acid reflux medication, the prevailing message and attitude is that “diet is by far the more important initial factor to consider in GERD treatment, rather than medication”.
For so many people, acid reflux symptoms are caused by the wrong foods, and too many of those foods. Fat is a problem. Not only eating unhealthy animal fats, but also adding extra pounds on the body can cause symptoms to flare up. Yes, an extra 15 or 30 pounds around the abdomen increases the pressure on the stomach, pushing it up. This is not good if you have acid reflux.
A healthy digestive system
Regaining optimal functioning of your digestive tract should be a top priority with any digestive disorder. Your body is capable of many amazing things when given the opportunity. You can’t feed it garbage year after year and expect optimal performance from it forever. Something has to give; Heartburn, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, the list is long.
Scientific studies state that everything that happens in the intestinal tract has a major impact on our health, whether good or bad. So take care. Good gut health depends on the balance of bacteria. We have a lot of it in our gut. Good, beneficial bacteria and bad, dangerous bacteria. When our bad eating habits go awry, we give the bad bacteria the upper hand and that’s when the problems start.
Feeding the good bacteria the right nutrients increases their dominance in your gut, which in turn leads to better digestive health.
Thanks to J.M. Ferreira
