Your Treatment Options Reviewed

Antacids

Antacids are a common approach to occasional bouts of acid reflux. The common ingredients -- which include magnesium hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide -- neutralize the pH balance in your stomach, effectively neutralizing the acid.

While antacids are a cheap and effective remedy, note that serious side effects can occur with overuse, which include constipation, diarrhea, changes in the color of bowel movements, and stomach cramps.

And worse, they create a hostile environment for digestive enzymes and actually trigger the release of MORE hydrochloric acid to digest your food.

Foaming Agents

Some antacids contain a foaming agent that allows the product to float on the top of the stomach contents, effectively keeping down acids. As with regular antacids, antacids with foaming agents can cause constipation and diarrhea with overuse.

H2 Blockers

Another common remedy available over the counter is “H2 blockers”, also known as “histamine receptor antagonists.”

Unlike antacids, which neutralize the acid in your stomach, these H2 blockers lower the amount of acid that your stomach produces, making them useful in preventing acid reflex, if taken before consuming food or beverages likely to cause it.

Be aware that there are more potential side effects with these remedies, if used for a prolonged period, and include: abdominal pain, gynecomastia, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, irritated nose, nausea or vomiting, sore throat and overall weakness.

Less common -- but more serious -- side effects include low white blood cell count, irregular heart rhythm, depression, liver problems, and angioedema (swelling of the mouth and throat).

Proton pump inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors work by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces hydrochloric acid. This class of medication is available both by prescription and over the counter, and is one of the most commonly used medications for GERD.

Common side effects include, headache, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain and nausea. However, higher doses over prolonged periods may increase the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine. There is also emerging research looking into links between their use, and pneumonia.

Prokinetics

Unlike many other treatments, Prokinetics, which are prescribed by your doctor, don't have an impact on the acid your body produces. Instead, this range of medications works on improving the function of your gastrointestinal tract, by strengthening your lower esophageal sphincter so it has stronger contractions, and improving the movement of food through your intestines (so it leaves your stomach more quickly).

Side effects include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headaches, convulsions, and irregular heart beat.

Surgery

If medications don't completely resolve your symptoms, your doctor could recommend a surgical procedure, called fundoplication.

During this procedure, the surgeon creates an artificial valve, by wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the LES to strengthen it.

This procedure is done only as a last resort for treatment of acid reflux disease, and should only be considered if all other options have been attempted.

A Natural Alternative - Digestive Enzyme Supplements

Digestive enzymes, along with hydrochloric acid, are absolutely *essential* for the digestion and metabolism of food you eat.

Unfortunately, factors like age, poor diet, stress, antibiotics, poor health, and eating too fast can all contribute to our bodies producing fewer and fewer digestive enzymes, throwing off the delicate balance of enzymes and acid in our stomachs.

And this can kick off a vicious cycle:

As you can see, if you've only been dealing with the PAIN of your acid reflux until now, you may have only been dealing with a SYMPTOM, not the real cause!

And it's quite possible that you've been making your acid reflux WORSE through use of antacids, which create a hostile environment for critical digestive enzymes!

So what's the answer? Why not skip the antacids and try rebalancing your digestive enzymes to bring down your hydrochloric acid production and enjoy better overall digestive health!

By supplementing digestive enzymes, your body naturally begins to:

1. Decrease production of hydrochloric acid
2. Make better use of naturally occurring digestive enzymes
3. Digest food faster and more efficiently
4. Reduce digestive problems like bloating, gas, & constipation
5. Improve nutrient metabolism & absorption

... Helping to break the vicious cycle of acid reflux and restore your digestive health!