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Due to the high number of people who suffer from acid reflux symptoms and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), it’s not surprising how much acid flux medication has been produced for both it’s drug and non-drug market.
Years ago a group of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s) were found successful in reducing gastric acid production. No surprise to anyone, the pharmaceutical companies jumped on this and developed several variations of these drugs, some of which are much stronger than the original PPI’s.
There are basically 5 types of available acid reflux medication (drugs) that can effectively treat “some” or “most” people. Keep in mind that these drugs can only treat acid reflux symptoms and can not actually cure them.
Classifications of acid reflux medication:
1. Antacids – antacids are available as prescription and over the counter.
2. Sucralfate – this is prescription only and is used when there has been damage to the esophagus tissue.
3. H-2 blockers – prescription and over the counter. Developed in the 1970’s it was the first drug to actually be able to decrease stomach acid levels.
4. Pro-motility agents – prescription only. Used by people who have poor movement or mobility of fluids, also known as peristalsis which is the movement used by the esophagus, intestines etc to move liquid and material through the body.
5. Proton pump inhibitors – prescription and over the counter. There is a pump in the acid secreting cells of the stomach called a proton pump, and PPi’s actually restrain this pump, thereby decreasing acid product.
The seriousness of a person’s symptoms will determine the medication. The are many different products within the 5 categories listed above and you can view manufacturer’s websites for information such as side effects and dosage etc.
After reviewing some of the drug medications from the above group, the list of potential side effects is amazing and it’s a wonder of how they can even be legal and then why so many people would even choose to take them. For example, the Pro-mobility medicine called Reglan, made with the drug metoclopramide is commonly prescribed for problem 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!
Going natural is also an option
If you are reading this article, hopefully you may consider trying a natural approach for curing and preventing acid reflux. More and more people these days are avoiding drugs if at all possible and look for alternative, natural ways to prevent and cure disease.
There are times when a prescription drug simply must be used in extreme painful or no-choice situations but when you have options, then natural remedies and diet make good common, and healthy sense.
Diet can make the difference
After reading many books on the subject of acid reflux medication, the prevailing message and attitude is “Diet rather than medication is by far the more important initial factor to consider in GERD management”.
So many people’s acid reflux symptoms are caused by the wrong foods, and too many of these foods. Fat is a problem. Not only the eating of unhealthy animal fat but extra pounds on the body can cause symptom flare-ups. Yes, an extra 15 or 30 pounds around the belly add pressure to the stomach, which pushes it’s contends upward to the top. This is not a good thing when you have acid reflux.
A healthy digestive system
Getting your digestive tract functioning at optimum level again should be a first priority for any digestive disorder. Your body is capable of many amazing things, given the opportunity. You can’t feed it junk year after year and expect optimum performance from it forever. Something’s gotta give; heartburn, bloating gas, diarrhea, constipation, the list is a long one.
Scientific study says that whatever happens in the intestinal tract has major consequences to our health, good or bad. So, make it good. Good intestinal health all comes down to the balance of bacteria. We have a lot of it residing in our gut. Good, beneficial bacteria and bad, dangerous bacteria. It’s when our bad dieting habits go wrong that we give the upper hand to the bad bacteria and that’s when the problems start.
Feeding the good bacteria with the proper nutrients will increase their reign in your intestines which in turn gives you better digestive health.
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Source by J.M. Ferreira