Posts Tagged ‘stomach’
Saturday, May 8th, 2010
Natural 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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Tags: aloe, bitter, latex, medications, portion, products, stomach
Posted in Antacid, Natural alternatives, Reflux | Comments Off
Saturday, May 1st, 2010
Antacid and Reflux Drugs: Foam Barriers
Aluminum hydroxide gel, magnesium trisilicate, and alginate (Gaviscon)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
Foam barriers are tablets composed of an antacid and a foaming agent. Foam barriers provide a unique form of treatment for GERD. As the tablet disintegrates and reaches the stomach, it turns into foam that floats on top of the liquid contents of the stomach. The foam forms a physical barrier to the reflux of liquid.At the same time, the antacid bound to the foam neutralizes acid that comes in contact with the foam. The tablets are best taken after meals (when the stomach is distended) and when you are lying down, both times when reflux is more likely to occur.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Foam barriers are not often used as the first or only treatment for GERD. Rather, they are added to other drugs for GERD when the other drugs are not adequately effective in relieving symptoms.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Weakness
- Headache
MAJOR CAUTIONS
Since this medication contains aluminum and magnesium, consult with your doctor first before using it if you have kidney disease. Also, those on a sodium-restricted diet should not take Gaviscon without consulting with their doctor first.
KNOWN DRUG INTERACTIONS (more…)
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Tags: Antacid, barriers, doctor, drugs, gaviscon, interactions, Reflux, stomach, treatment
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Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
Antacid 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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Saturday, April 24th, 2010
Antacid 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’s acid-producing cells). The proton pump secretes hydrogen ions into the stomach lining for the production of hydrochloric acid, making it an ideal target for inhibiting acid secretion.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
PPIs suppress stomach acid production more completely and for a longer period of time than H2 blockers. PPIs alleviate heartburn and can protect the esophagus from the damaging effects of stomach acid. They are commonly used when H2 blockers are not effective enough or for those individuals with evidence of esophageal damage (ulcers, erosions, strictures, or Barrett’s esophagus). They also are used in combination with antibiotics for treating Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that together with acid causes ulcers of the stomach and duodenum.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
The most common side effects of PPIs are headache, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, and rash. (more…)
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Tags: absorption, blood, concentration, drugs, esophagus, interactions, micrograms, omeprazole, pneumonia, stomach, Vitamins
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Monday, April 12th, 2010
Antacid and Reflux Drugs and Their Natural Alternatives: What is gastroesophageal reflux disease?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD or acid reflux, is a common condition that affects more than 60 million Americans at least once a month. It occurs when the liquid content of the stomach backs up into the esophagus. This backflow occurs when the valve between the lower esophageal sphincter and the stomach fails to close properly, permitting stomach acid and other liquid contents to back up. The stomach acid irritates and can damage the lining of the esophageal tissues and causes pain.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Common GERD symptoms include:
- Persistent heartburn (burning pain or pressure in chest and throat)
- Chest pain
- Dry cough
- Bad breath
- Hoarseness in the morning
Untreated, GERD can scar the lining of the esophagus, making it hard to swallow. It can also increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
Each year in the United States, 100 million prescriptions are given for proton pump inhibitors, which suppress the stomach’s production of acid. There are other classes of antacid medications that will be discussed in this chapter. These medications do not come without some serious risks. For example, a 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reviewed an analysis of 16 years of medical records of people over the age of 50, 13556 with hip fractures and 135836 patients without fractures. Researchers found that those patients who had taken proton pump inhibitors at average doses for more than a year had a 44 percent increased risk of breaking a hip. Those who took higher than average doses more than doubled their risk of hip fracture. (more…)
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Tags: absorption, esophageal, fractures, medical, medications, natural, patients, protein, Reflux, stomach, symptoms
Posted in Gastroesophageal disease, Reflux | Comments Off
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
Allergy Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Montelukast granules (Singulair granules)
Montelukast (Singulair)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
These medications block the action or production of inflammatory compounds known as leukotrienes. These compounds are normally released during infection or an allergic response.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
They reduce allergy symptoms and are safer than steroids for long-term use by those with asthma caused by allergies.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
- Cough
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Hoarseness or sore throat
- Indigestion or stomach upset
- Muscle aches or cramps
- Nausea
- Runny nose
- Unusual dreams
MAJOR CAUTIONS (more…)
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Tags: aches, allergy, cramps, drugs, interactions, muscle, stomach, swelling, throat
Posted in Allergies | Comments Off
