Do you have acid reflux or the more severe form of it known as gastroesophageal-reflux disease (GERD)? This is often an overlooked digestive condition that affects millions all over the world.
Common symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, and throat pain; less common ones can be coughing up blood. This less-common symptom is due to a burst stomach ulceration in certain cases where there are esophagus tears — caused by too much pressure from food moving down into the stomach. Incidence rates vary greatly depending on the continent – one study found 28 percent of North American adults suffer from GERD.
What is happening with GERD?
GERD occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter does not work correctly. This causes acid to backwash up into your mouth and throat, which may cause burning sensations or heartburn.
How To Reduce Your Risks for GERD
The most common risk factors for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) are being overweight and having a history of smoking cigarettes. Other aggravating factors include:
- eating large meals late at night,
- fatty or fried foods
- substances such as caffeine in coffee
- alcohol
- some medications like aspirin
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Risks With Common GERD Drugs
Commonly prescribed drugs for GERD can be risky and should not be used long-term. PPIs currently available on prescription in the USA are dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazleo (Protonix), and rabeprozale (Aciphex).
These medications suppress stomach acid secretion, but come with side effects such as headache, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, which is why your doctor may recommend another option if possible before prescribing an unnecessary medication.
And there is more concern. A study by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs found that PPI use was associated with deaths, in particular from cardiovascular disease and upper gastrointestinal cancer. This latest research follows on previous studies which revealed links between gastric ulcers and an increased risk for heart problems or kidney failure among patients taking acid reflux drugs such as H2 blockers (another type of stomach suppressor).
Lead researcher Dr Ziyad Al-Aly (Assistant Professor Medicine at Washington University School St Louis) is worried about what his findings could mean given how many people have already begun using these meds — despite being aware they may cause MORE serious side-effects than expected.
Dr. Al-Aly states, “Given the millions of people who take PPIs regularly, this translates into thousands of excess deaths every year.” Additionally, due to so many people consuming PPI medications long-term, he cautioned: “Taking PPIs over many months or years is not safe, and now we have a clearer picture of the health conditions associated with long-term PPI use.”
Stomach Acid is Necessary for Digestion
Your body uses stomach acid to break down food, aiding in our absorption of certain nutrients. PPIs can cause many nutrient deficiencies, including magnesium which leads to chronic fatigue symptoms or anemia, as well as deficiency in B12, vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron.
This often happens because it suppresses hydrochloric acid, so you may be missing out on the effective benefits of balanced gut flora due to taking medicine with these side effects.
Mucosave™ FG, an ingredient in our REFLUX HEALTH, has been shown in double-blind placebo controlled-studies to help reduce frequency and severity of heartburn.*1
- Significantly reduced heartburn and acid regurgitation episodes
- Reduced the frequency and intensity of symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux
Formulated by Dr. Mark Stengler NMD.
Known as America’s Natural Doctor to his patients, readers and audiences across North America, Mark Stengler is a licensed naturopathic medical doctor. His passion is to combine the best of conventional and natural medicine to achieve optimized health for his patients. Dr. Stengler has personally formulated each of the Emerald Labs Additive-Free products according to the high standards of his health practice. Read more about Dr. Stengler…
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR ADVICE REGARDING ANY MEDICAL CONDITION. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SELF-DIAGNOSE OR TREAT ANY MEDICAL CONDITION.
† References:
Heartburn drugs linked to fatal heart and kidney disease, stomach cancer [press release]. St. Louis: Washington University School of Medicine, May 30, 2019.
Mone I, Kraja B, Bregu A, et al. Adherence to a predominantly Mediterranean diet decreases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a cross–sectional study in a South Eastern European population. Dis Esophagus. 2016;29(7):794–800.
