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The only effective treatment for heartburn
To treat your heartburn, it is important to choose the right and most effective solution for you. This means getting accurate information about the actual causes underlying heartburn symptoms. There are generally three types of heartburn treatment: medical prescriptions, surgical procedures, and natural/holistic solutions. These methods have significant differences in the way they are implemented and in how they deal with various underlying factors, as well as their long-term effects. When the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) between the stomach and esophagus is in a normal state, it allows food to flow in one direction...
The only effective treatment for heartburn
To treat your heartburn, it is important to choose the right and most effective solution for you. This means getting accurate information about the actual causes underlying heartburn symptoms. There are generally three types of heartburn treatment: medical prescriptions, surgical procedures, and natural/holistic solutions. These methods have significant differences in the way they are implemented and in how they deal with various underlying factors, as well as their long-term effects.
When the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) between the stomach and the esophagus is in a normal state, it allows food to enter the stomach in one direction, but closes afterward to prevent the acidic stomach contents from being pushed back in the wrong direction. However, when this muscle relaxes at an inopportune time, this acidity goes back into the esophagus and causes heartburn. In this way, heartburn is the outward sign of acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). GERD is what happens when the muscular valve between the esophagus and stomach is weakened.
Doctors usually treat heartburn and related problems by trying to use classic medications, some of which are available over the counter. These OTCs to combat acid reflux can be further classified into three categories:
1. Antacids that neutralize stomach acid by forming a coating that envelops the food contents, for example Maalox, Rolaids, Mylanta and Tums.
2. H2 blockers to reduce acid formation and reduce acid production in the stomach, such as Pepcid AC, Axid AR and Zantac 75.
3. PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors), which block the stomach cell mechanism that releases acid. Examples include Nexium, Protonix and Prilosec.
The Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery published information in 2004 to show that PPIs do not combat the frequency of reflux attacks in GERD patients. Instead, PPIs simply convert acidic levels to alkaline. The reflux still occurs in the esophagus, but with an alkaline bile, which can actually be worse. Although such medications can provide short-term relief from symptoms, long-term use can be extremely problematic. These medications do not treat the true causes, only the external signs. They do this by changing the chemical composition of the stomach. These medications typically only have a temporary effect and can also make a patient dependent on them in the long term, not to mention the many unwanted side effects.
The next option to medication is surgery. This is to stop the valve opening when it should remain closed to stop the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus. The surgeon wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower esophagus to strengthen the muscular flap at the junction of the esophagus and stomach.
A patient relying on this alone is likely to be frustrated as heartburn is likely to recur without proper lifestyle or dietary changes. Other risks associated with this solution include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating, and difficulty swallowing.
The above solutions either attempt to reduce the amount of acid produced, or neutralize the acid, or mechanically reinforce the LES. However, none of them address the real cause. The biggest inconvenience of these classic methods of combating heartburn is that they all treat local GERD symptoms and only attempt to address the symptom and not the root cause.
Internal balance can also be disrupted by Candida infection as well as poor diet and lifestyle habits, including excessive stress and maladaptive sleep patterns, leading to excessive acidity, fermentation and storage of toxins. For any real progress, it is the underlying factors that need to be addressed to get rid of GERD and heartburn. Acid reflux occurs due to the simultaneous presence of various medical and lifestyle factors. Genetic weakness, high-fat foods, excess weight, and specific lifestyle and nutritional factors combine to weaken the LES, which prevents it from closing properly. The only way to permanently solve acid reflux and prevent it from recurring is to address these root causes.
Inspired by Jeff Martin