How to Survive Acid Reflux Rebound”

How to Survive Acid Reflux Rebound”

There are many people who suffer from acid reflux and want to get off proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications. The main effect of this group of drugs is the long-acting reduction in stomach acid production. These include Prevacid, Prilosec, Nexium and Protonix.

These medications are convenient to use and can be useful initially, but many find that the side effects outweigh the benefits. When it comes to ending them, you will find that it is not that easy.

PPI medications should be used for a limited period of time, but most patients continue their use indefinitely. Not only do patients abuse these medications, but so do the doctors who prescribe them. Unfortunately, there are no studies on the effects of long-term use of these medications. One has to ask whether prolonged use of PPI medications is really safe.

We know that reducing the production of stomach acid limits the proper digestion and absorption of food. Do chronic users of these drugs suffer from malnutrition? It's important to note that stomach acid also keeps potentially dangerous gut bacteria in check. So what may seem like acid reflux utopia may actually be acid reflux hell.

When you stop taking these medications, the acid pumps turn back on after prolonged use and come back with a vengeance, producing more acid than before. This is called “acid reflux.” This is often such a terrible and frightening experience that most people quickly become discouraged and immediately go back to using drugs. This “Catch 22” situation has proven to be a virtual gold mine for the pharmaceutical companies, generating billions of dollars in profits every year.

It's a terrible situation to be in. You will stop working and you will be instructed to double the dose. You try to stop, but everything backfires on you. Your throat burns like it's on fire and your doctor tells you that if you don't take the medication you may develop esophageal cancer. Who wouldn't be afraid?

Now for the good news; There are non-pharmaceutical things you can do to survive the “acid reflux rebound” and get back on track.

At this point it is most likely damage to the esophagus. One cannot hope to improve until the esophagus is healthy again.

In order to heal esophageal damage, a few things must be taken into account. First and foremost, you need to temporarily change your diet. By now, everyone should know which foods and drinks trigger their acid reflux. Replace these offending foods with bland, easily digestible foods.

Instead of a slice of pizza with sour tomato sauce, eat a salad. Replace your morning cup of coffee with a cup of tea. Drink a glass of white wine instead of red wine with dinner. It's just a matter of common sense, but these changes are necessary during the acid reflux recovery period.

To beat acid reflux syndrome, one must try to become as alkaline as possible. Anything that has an acidic effect on the body should be eliminated. Smoking is perhaps the most acidic thing you can do. Eating too much at once leads to overproduction of stomach acid. Aerobic exercise causes the body to naturally become more alkaline.

Drinking plenty of clean fresh water can help flush out the acidic toxins accumulated in the body. A body that is properly hydrated is rarely acidic. A glass of water after a meal is a good idea, but drinking a lot of anything with meals is counterproductive. This dilutes the digestive fluids and causes the stomach to produce more acid.

Believe it or not, chewing gum between meals is beneficial. Chewing produces saliva that is very alkaline. Chewing gum after meals gives the stomach more alkalinity to counteract the overproduction of acid.

There are many natural ingredients available in grocery stores and health food stores that can help during the acid reflux recovery period. Herbs like Marshmallow and Slippery Elm have wonderful healing properties. Liquorice, natural honey and aloe vera juice can soothe the esophageal lining and support the healing process.

There are very few cases of acid reflux that cannot be successfully treated by understanding what causes this condition. Simple things like eating slowly and chewing thoroughly in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere can reduce the likelihood of acid reflux.

We don’t have to be prisoners of this drug-oriented “acid reflux rebound” effect. It is unfortunate that most doctors rely on medicines as the only solution to acid reflux.

With a little education about the causes of acid reflux and knowledge of natural medicine, one can survive “acid reflux rebound” and live a normal life. We are on the verge of a new era in which the patient must sometimes also be the healer.

© 2007 Wind Publishing

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