Acid Reflux and the Emergency Room - An Insider Report

Acid Reflux and the Emergency Room - An Insider Report

Do you remember what it felt like to be taken to that part of the hospital thinking you were having a heart attack, having trouble breathing, and no idea what was going to happen next?

If you're like me, you can certainly remember the emotions in that particular event (especially the first time). After calming yourself down with powerful sedatives and a series of tests, the truth was revealed. You don't have a heart problem. You have a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), or simply acid reflux. And for a while, you experienced what is known as heartburn.

Nothing serious, claims the doctor and her nurses (or so they say).

You take a minute or so to thank God it wasn't anything serious, and the resident doctor reassures you that you're not alone, as that other man in the ICU was just diagnosed with GERD, and gives you a quick lecture about stress and diet and how it creates and worsens your own reflux. It will give you the emergency medicine you need, a doctor's prescription and advice to get examined by a specialist.

Of course, follow the doctor's instructions, take all recommended treatments and return to a normal lifestyle. Which lasts for 2 weeks tops. Then it happens.

Again.

You will be taken back to the emergency room. For the same thing.

Why?

According to gastroenterologists (people who specialize in digestive disorders), acid reflux occurs when stomach acid travels up to your throat into the lower esophagus and causes irritation. The extent of reflux varies as it can only be an occasional nuisance, but if left unattended it can become a life-threatening disorder.

But why doesn't the prescribed medication solve the problem? What's wrong with taking these medications?

1. Liquid or regular antacids(e.g. Maalox, Tums, Kremil)

2. Medicine to reduce acid secretion(e.g. Nexium, Prevacid, Losec, Zantac)

3. Medicine to improve stomach muscle action(e.g. Motilium, Plasil)

Almost everyone who suffers from GERD knows that they are prescribed this type of medication for only 1-2 weeks. Then they should stop and the medicine should do its job. However, most of the time this is not the case.

But if you're taken to the emergency room again, you'll still be given exactly the same thing (or in larger doses this time). In a worse scenario, you will receive additional medication.

Have you ever wondered why conventional medicine focuses more on acid reflux symptoms than the root cause of the problem? Why do they insist on using the “Band-Aid” approach to treatment when there are natural and safer ways to get rid of your condition…for good?

It's a good thing someone told me about this before it was too late.

Inspired by Richard Alden