Part 2: Getting Rid of the GERD
Last week* I discussed my own personal affliction with acid reflux, a.k.a. G.E.R.D., and the route I followed to obtain an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. But that was just the beginning of my journey…
If you’ve been down the same road as I, you might have had great results (as I did) from taking the PPI or proton pump-inhibitor medication prescribed by your doctor. PPI’s meds are found in the over-the-counter brands Prilosec®, Prevacid®, and Nexium® and in prescription medications such as Protonix® (pantoprazole).
When I questioned my gastroenterologist about the associated side effects of these PPI meds, I was told two things:
- They can produce benign (non-cancerous) polyps in the stomach—and not to worry about that.
- Long-term use can lead to osteoporosis due to the fact that these meds partially block the body’s ability to absorb calcium—that had me concerned.
Hmmm…how can something which reduces the amount of acid produced in my stomach not also have impact elsewhere—wherever else God had inserted proton pumps for other reasons? I had to dig deeper.
Dr. John Cooke, senior author of a published study conducted at Stanford University and Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas, found that reducing the effectiveness of proton pumps throughout the body (which reduces the acidity within many ofthe cellsin the body), hampers the cell’s ability to rid themselves of damaged proteins. This disconcerting side effect is why scientists have now linked prolonged use of PPIs to increased risk of heart and kidney disease as well as dementia!
Other previously discovered side effects include increased susceptibility to bacterial infections (because the acid in the stomach isn’t strong enough to kill off swallowed bacteria) and increased risk of fractures due to the calcium blocking effects of PPIs.
Wow.
Given all this disturbing evidence, I was motivated to discover natural remedies/helps which I could employ to put out the fire of my acid reflux. Here’s what I’ve done to free myself from my prescribed medication AND my reflux:
- Begin my day with a drop or two of essential lemon oil in a 4 oz. (or the juice of ¼ lemon) in a tall glass of water
- Take probiotics
- Eat smaller meals, add less spice, and avoid eating anything 1-2 hrs. before bedtime
- Was treated by a “hands on”, manual physical therapist who mobilized my esophagus and stomach to decrease the tension in my upper digestive system
If you find you still have occasional bouts of burning, you are safer to use an H2 blocker medicine (Tagamet®, Zantac®, Pepcid®). They come with much “less baggage.”
*If you missed last week’s MMHT, go to my website and click on “previous Monday Morning Health Tips,” immediately following today’s posting—it’ll be archived there at the top of the list.