Are You Addicted To Acid Reflux Medication Drugs
Acid reflux medications are one of the top selling drugs of all time. We are talking about a billion dollar industry. When you look at it like this, then there must be a serious amount of people who are popping a lot of these pills. However, all these medications do not seem to be making much of an impact as the rate of people suffering from acid reflux and GERD is on the increase.
How Acid Reflux Happens
Acid reflux is a condition that describes stomach acid flowing into the esophagus where it can cause irritation and inflammation. This often causes well known acid reflux symptoms that include heartburn and chest pain. In many cases this is the failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter closing properly.
The sphincter is a round valve-like muscle that is at the lower end of the esophagus, just before the opening of the stomach. Its role is to let food and drink enter the stomach and then close to prevent any acid from escaping.
When the sphincter fails to close properly the gastric acid from your stomach can easily flow back up (reflux) into the sensitive lining of your esophagus.
The lining of the esophagus does not have the same protection as the lining of the stomach. If the lining becomes exposed to acid on a persistent basis it can cause permanent damage and lead to serious conditions such as Barrett's esophagus.
This happens when the lining of the esophagus grows back another lining . However, the new lining changes its cellular structure to that of the stomach lining. In certain cases this can increase your risk of oesophageal cancer, although the risk is small.
The common treatment for acid reflux is to take antacid pills. These can help to relieve your symptoms by diluting your stomach acid. For chronic cases of acid reflux more potent drugs are often prescribed or purchased over the counter. These include proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers.
These drugs actually block your stomachs ability to produce acid. Although, these acid reflux medication drugs can provide relief they have to be used regularly. This is not recommended as there can be a number of side effects.
Acid Reflux Medication Side Effects
Many people forget that pharmaceutical drugs are toxic to the body and long term use can actually compromise your health. Many people can become addicted to acid reflux medication because of the fast relief it can provide.
However, the moment they come off the medications the symptoms return and in many cases the symptoms are worse. This is because these medications only mask the symptoms of the acid reflux they do not fix the cause.
For example proton pump inhibitors need to be taken daily to inhibit the production of acid. Many people who have been on these type of drugs have experienced side effects that include nausea, stomach cramps diarrhea, excess gas and constipation.
These acid suppressing drugs can also suppress other important functions of the stomach namely the protection of the protein intrinsic factor. This protein is essential for the absorption of B complex vitamins, especially vitamin B12.
An Alternative Way
Many people have found relief using natural remedies. One of the most popular is raw apple cider vinegar. The suggested use is to mix one tablespoon of the apple cider vinegar with a glass of water.
You can also add some honey to sweeten the taste. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which has a lower acidity to your own gastric acid. This dilutes your gastric acid, which helps to rebalance your ph levels.
Raw apple cider vinegar also contains naturally forming enzymes, that also assist your digestion.
Not only do you need to eat a healthier diet you also need to change your relationship to food. Many people treat foods like the fuel for their car – it's a quick pit stop - and a way they go in a rush. They do not take the time to enjoy their food, they are just gulping it down their throats as fast as they can.
This is only going to make your acid reflux worse. You should not be eating when you feel stressed, period. You need to get into a relaxed state before you eat. If you work in an office, get out of into the open air and find a relaxing and peaceful place to eat for lunch.
This can be a local park or a quiet cafe. Take this time to forget about work and just focus on and appreciate the surroundings and the food you are eating. Take the time to learn this habit and your digestion will thank you for it.
How Acid Reflux Happens
Acid reflux is a condition that describes stomach acid flowing into the esophagus where it can cause irritation and inflammation. This often causes well known acid reflux symptoms that include heartburn and chest pain. In many cases this is the failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter closing properly.
The sphincter is a round valve-like muscle that is at the lower end of the esophagus, just before the opening of the stomach. Its role is to let food and drink enter the stomach and then close to prevent any acid from escaping.
When the sphincter fails to close properly the gastric acid from your stomach can easily flow back up (reflux) into the sensitive lining of your esophagus.
The lining of the esophagus does not have the same protection as the lining of the stomach. If the lining becomes exposed to acid on a persistent basis it can cause permanent damage and lead to serious conditions such as Barrett's esophagus.
This happens when the lining of the esophagus grows back another lining . However, the new lining changes its cellular structure to that of the stomach lining. In certain cases this can increase your risk of oesophageal cancer, although the risk is small.
The common treatment for acid reflux is to take antacid pills. These can help to relieve your symptoms by diluting your stomach acid. For chronic cases of acid reflux more potent drugs are often prescribed or purchased over the counter. These include proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers.
These drugs actually block your stomachs ability to produce acid. Although, these acid reflux medication drugs can provide relief they have to be used regularly. This is not recommended as there can be a number of side effects.
Acid Reflux Medication Side Effects
Many people forget that pharmaceutical drugs are toxic to the body and long term use can actually compromise your health. Many people can become addicted to acid reflux medication because of the fast relief it can provide.
However, the moment they come off the medications the symptoms return and in many cases the symptoms are worse. This is because these medications only mask the symptoms of the acid reflux they do not fix the cause.
For example proton pump inhibitors need to be taken daily to inhibit the production of acid. Many people who have been on these type of drugs have experienced side effects that include nausea, stomach cramps diarrhea, excess gas and constipation.
These acid suppressing drugs can also suppress other important functions of the stomach namely the protection of the protein intrinsic factor. This protein is essential for the absorption of B complex vitamins, especially vitamin B12.
An Alternative Way
Many people have found relief using natural remedies. One of the most popular is raw apple cider vinegar. The suggested use is to mix one tablespoon of the apple cider vinegar with a glass of water.
You can also add some honey to sweeten the taste. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which has a lower acidity to your own gastric acid. This dilutes your gastric acid, which helps to rebalance your ph levels.
Raw apple cider vinegar also contains naturally forming enzymes, that also assist your digestion.
Not only do you need to eat a healthier diet you also need to change your relationship to food. Many people treat foods like the fuel for their car – it's a quick pit stop - and a way they go in a rush. They do not take the time to enjoy their food, they are just gulping it down their throats as fast as they can.
This is only going to make your acid reflux worse. You should not be eating when you feel stressed, period. You need to get into a relaxed state before you eat. If you work in an office, get out of into the open air and find a relaxing and peaceful place to eat for lunch.
This can be a local park or a quiet cafe. Take this time to forget about work and just focus on and appreciate the surroundings and the food you are eating. Take the time to learn this habit and your digestion will thank you for it.
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