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Acid Reflux and Heartburn - Simple Steps to Relief
Effective Strategies to Stop the Burning Fire Within
by Andrew Kelly
You may have seen advertisements that say: Acid reflux is a terrible disease that will damage your
oesophagus (the relatively straight muscular tube through which food passes down to the
stomach) and may lead to cancer. Are these realistic statements, or simply exaggerated claims
to hype the sales of over
the counter medications?
The truth is that doctors have yet to agree on the causes, treatments, and long-term risks
related to heartburn, so take what the ads say with a grain of salt...
Heartburn is the uncomfortable feeling resulting from acid reflux, or GERD, gastroesophageal
reflux disease. Heartburn is that burning sensation
(hence, the name), you feel at the top of your
stomach and in the middle of your chest. And it can also feel like pressure in the chest, which is why it
is sometimes
confused with feelings associated with heart attacks.
Acid reflux occurs when the muscle between the stomach and the oesophagus becomes weak or just
relaxes
at the wrong time. And when that muscle is open contents from the stomach, including the acid,
move up into
the oesophagus. Because the oesophagus does not have the protective lining that the stomach
does, the acid literally burns the oesophagus.
Cure Your Heartburn
Heartburn, GERD And Acid Reflux
Are Not Diseases That Require
Drugs For The Rest Of Your
Life!
They Are Conditions
That Can Be Corrected
Without DRUGS and
Side Effects!
Cure Your Heartburn
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What Works against acid reflus and heartburn?
- Several non-prescription drugs may be
effective for mild to moderate acid reflux,
such as antacids, which neutralizes stomach acids. These include
well-known over the counter medications such as Tums and Rolaids. Another option is H2 receptor antagonists,
which reduce
the production of stomach acids. Brank names of H2 receptor antagonists include Axid AR,
Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, and Zantac 75. Note that Pepcid Complete is the only of these that combines an
antacid with an H2 receptor antagonist.
Which is the best treatment? One study found that Pepcid complete performed better than either
an antacid alone or an H2 receptor antagonist alone.
Prescription drugs prescribed to treat acid reflux are called proton-pump inhibitors. These
include
Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix. While these appear to be equally effective,
one study
did find that Nexium may heal esophageal sores faster.
Homeopathic Remedies - Combined with homeopathic remedies, heartburn may be treated
effectively with less reliance on over the counter or prescription medications. Together, these solutions
may provide the answers where just one solution fails to deliver on the promise.
Natural options that may help reduce GERD include deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), which may
bring fast relief and help heal damaged tissues. Aloe Vera juice is another alternative that can
act quickly to bring
relief. For those with chronic problems, Gamma-oryzanol (rice bran oil) has been found to be useful,
And you should also consider adding more
choline, pantothenic acid, and thiamin (B Vitamins) to your diet.
These natural
solutions may provide more effective
short-term relief, compared with over the counter medications, as well as provide long-term dietary benefits.
Why Try a Homeopathic Remedy?
- The benefits of natural solutions are that they are usually
less costly and reduce the chances of becoming reliant on a particular solution. Natural solutions
tend to treat the cause as much as the affect, leading to longterm relief. Experimenting with diet and
alternative
treatments may help lessen the cause of the problem. Additionally, all of the homeopathic
remedies mentioned above can be used along with over the counter or prescription medications.
Does Acid Reflux Cause Cancer?
- Studies on acid reflux and cancer reach varied conclusions.
One study showed that
chronic acid reflux increased the chances of oesophageal cancer by as much as eight
times. Another study determined that the risk of cancer is not nearly as much as was once thought.
Chronic acid reflux can lead to Barrett's oesophagus, or BE, which has been thought to lead to
an increase in gthe chances of cancer. A study conducted by a group of medical doctors found that the
risk of
cancer from BE is not as much as previously thought, stating that BE will not cause cancer for
most people. Still it is wise to work on relieving this condition longterm regardless of what current studies
state about the risks of cancer developing.
What is not questioned is whether or not acid reflux is uncomfortable. Chronic GERD is
difficult
to live with, and experimenting with both traditional medications and natural
remedies may be the best
solution. As research continues on the causes and affects of GERD,
additional options are likely to come
along.
About the author: Andrew Kelly is a long term sufferer from Acid Reflux-Heartburn, he has
dedicated years to finding the latest treatment and relief strategies and tips to help everyone cure the burning. Visit this link for more tips:
www.acidrefluxfree.com
Circulated by Article Emporium
Publisher's Note: Pay attention to what you are eating... And notice how your stomach reacts.
Often, a change in diet will make a great improvement in preventing heartburn and acid reflux.
News About Acid Reflux
Treating reflux helps kids with asthmaReuters - Nov 10, 2008Previous studies in adults have suggested that as many as four out of five asthmatics experience the chronic cough and hoarseness of acid reflux. ... |
Take steps to ease acid refluxIndianapolis Star, United States - Nov 10, 2008By Shari Rudavsky For people with acid reflux, it may seem that all of the advice centers on what they shouldn't do, from avoiding caffeine and alcohol to ... |
acid reflux - Google News
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