To treat heartburn, it is important to select the correct and most effective solution for you. That means getting accurate information about the real causes behind your heartburn symptoms. In general, there are three types of heartburn treatment: prescriptions, surgeries, and natural/holistic solutions. These methods have marked differences in how they are implemented and how they deal with different underlying factors, as well as in their long-term effects.
When the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) between the stomach and the esophagus is in a normal state, it allows food to pass one way into the stomach, but then closes to prevent the acidic contents of the stomach from being pushed back into the stomach. the wrong address. However, when this muscle relaxes at the wrong time, that acid content backs up into the esophagus and causes heartburn pain. In this way, heartburn is the outward sign of acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). GERD is what happens when the muscular valve between the esophagus and the stomach becomes weak.
Doctors generally manage heartburn and associated problems by trying to use classic medications, some of which are available without a prescription. These OTCs to counteract acid reflux can be classified into three categories:
1. Antacids that neutralize stomach acid by creating a shell that surrounds the contents of food, for example, Maalox, Rolaids, Mylanta, and Tums.
2. H2 blockers to reduce acid production and decrease stomach acid production, for example, Pepcid AC, Axid AR, and Zantac 75.
3. PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors) which act by blocking the mechanism of acid release from stomach cells, examples of these are Nexium, Protonix and Prilosec,
The Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery published data in 2004 to show that PPIs do not combat the frequency of reflux attacks in GERD patients. Instead, PPIs simply transform acidic contents into alkaline ones. Reflux still occurs in the esophagus, but with an alkaline bile that may actually be worse. Although such drugs can relieve short-term discomfort, long-term use can be very problematic. These medications do not treat the real causes but only the external signs. They do this by changing the chemical composition of the stomach. These drugs usually only have a temporary effect and can also make a patient dependent on them long-term, not to mention the many undesirable side effects.
The next option to drugs is surgery. This is designed to stop the valve from opening when it should remain closed, to stop the backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus. The surgeon wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower esophagus to reinforce the muscular valve at the junction of the esophagus and stomach.
A patient relying on this alone is likely to be frustrated, as without the proper lifestyle or dietary alterations, heartburn symptoms are likely to return. Other risks associated with this solution include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating, and trouble swallowing.
The above solutions attempt to decrease the amount of acid produced, neutralize the acid, or mechanically reinforce the LES. However, none of them address the real cause. The biggest drawback of these classic heartburn methods is that they all address local GERD symptoms, trying only to resolve the symptom and not the actual cause.
Internal balance can also be destroyed by Candida infection, as well as poor diet and lifestyle habits, including excessive stress and maladaptive sleep patterns, leading to excess acidity, fermentation, and storage of toxins. For any real progress, it is the underlying factors that need to be addressed to get rid of GERD and heartburn. Acid reflux arises from the simultaneous existence of different medical and lifestyle factors. Genetics, frailty, high-fat foods, excess weight, and specific lifestyle and nutritional factors all come together to weaken the LES preventing it from closing properly. The only chance to permanently resolve acid reflux and prevent it from happening again is to address these root causes.