Testimonial. Philip
Archive for the ‘Reflux’ Category
Testimonial. Philip
Monday, May 17th, 2010History of Slippery Elm
Thursday, May 13th, 2010History of Slippery Elm
Slippery elm has traditionally been used among Native Americans for several medicinal purposes
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Natural Alternatives to Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Slippery Elm
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010Natural Alternatives to Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Slippery Elm
This plant has a long tradition of use for acid reflux and a variety of other digestive conditions. It is soothing to the lining of the esophagus and stomach. The mucilage it contains acts as a barrier against the damaging effects of acid on the esophagus. It is generally more effective for occasional or mild GERD.
Slippery Elm
DOSAGE
Suck on a lozenge after each meal or as needed. It is also available in capsule form. Take 500 to 1000 mg after each meal.
SAFETY
This herb is extremely safe. However, avoid taking medications at the exact same time; they should be taken at least one hour apart.
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Natural Alternatives to Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Nux Vomica
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010Natural Alternatives to Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Nux Vomica
This is the most common homeopathic medicine used for GERD. For many it relieves symptoms quickly and without any side effects. Though no formal studies have been done, we believe it normalizes the function of the lower esophageal sphincter.
Nux Vomica
DOSAGE
Take two tablets of a Nux Vomica 30C potency twice daily until symptoms are gone. Thereafter, use as needed for occasional symptoms. If there is no improvement within one week, stop using it.
SAFETY
Since it is in homeopathic form and highly diluted, there are no safety concerns with this medicine. The only factor to be aware of is that if the medicine is not helping within a week, stop using it. Continuous use without benefit could aggravate your symptoms.
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Natural Alternatives to Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Aloe Vera
Saturday, May 8th, 2010Natural Alternatives to Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Aloe Vera
This plant has soothing and healing effects on the lining of the digestive tract. Herbalists throughout history traditionally have recommended aloe vera for the treatment of stomach acidity.
DOSAGE
Take 600 mg of the capsule form, or 2 tablespoons of the liquid form, or 2 teaspoons of the powder form in water 20 minutes before each meal three times daily. Make sure you are using aloe with the bitter latex portion removed; aloe products containing this substance are used as a laxative. Unless identified as a product for constipation, most internally consumed aloe products have the bitter latex portion removed or substantially removed.
SAFETY (more…)
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Natural Alternatives to Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root (DGL)
Friday, May 7th, 2010Natural Alternatives to Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root (DGL)
This herbal extract is very soothing to the lining of the esophagus and stomach. It also has natural anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have shown DGL to be effective for healing ulcers, and many practitioners find it helpful for GERD. There have been no direct studies of DGL for GERD.
Licorice Root
DOSAGE
Chew one to two 400-mg tablets three times daily, 20 minutes before meals. DGL is also available in powder form.
SAFETY
While higher doses of regular licorice root may elevate blood pressure and cause water retention, this is not a concern with DGL. Glycyrrhizin, the constituent that may elevate blood pressure and cause water retention, has been removed.
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Natural Alternatives to Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Diet and Lifestyle Changes
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010Natural Alternatives to Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Diet and Lifestyle Changes
For some people, changing their diet makes all the difference in their GERD symptoms. It is worth trying dietary changes to see how much your symptoms improve. Foods that commonly initiate or aggravate GERD include carbonated beverages, alcohol, coffee, nonherbal tea, cow
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Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Pro-motility Drugs
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Pro-motility Drugs
Metoclopramide (Reglan)
HOW DOES THIS DRUG WORK?
Metoclopramide (Reglan) is one in the class of pro-motility drugs approved for GERD. It works by mildly increasing the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter, which strengthens contractions of the esophagus and speeds up emptying of the stomach. All these actions are thought to reduce reflux. It is most effective when taken 30 minutes before meals.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
This drug reduces symptoms of GERD. It is not very effective for treating the symptoms of GERD, however, and is usually prescribed as an addition to other GERD medications or for those who do not respond to common GERD medications.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Restlessness
- Involuntary movements of the eyes/face/limbs
- Muscle spasms
- Trembling of the hands
- Personality changes such as depression or thoughts of suicide
- High fever
- Sweating
- Muscle stiffness
- Confusion
- Unusually fast heartbeat
MAJOR CAUTIONS (more…)
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Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Proton Pump Inhibitors
Saturday, April 24th, 2010Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Proton Pump Inhibitors
Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Pantoprazole (Protonix)
Rabeprazole (Aciphex)
Esomeprazole (Nexium)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) block the secretion of acid into the stomach by the acid-secreting cells with a different mechanism than H2 blockers. More specifically, PPIs inhibit the proton pump of the parietal cells (the stomach