image by: HWN

HWN Suggests

I Came Up With These Hacks For Acid Reflux So You Don’t Have To

When I was diagnosed with acid reflux, I was immediately put on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), given a list of foods I “should” avoid, and sent on my way. Acid reflux, or GERD, is extremely common–about 20 percent of people in the US are affected–and many deal with it using medication. It wasn’t until I tried to get off my meds that I realized living with acid reflux is more complicated than popping a pill. There’s conflicting and troubling evidence about the efficacy and safety of long term PPI use, and so I decided to quit them. To do so I’d have to make some lifestyle changes. There are some people for whom staying on medication is the best option, but my case wasn’t severe; I wanted to…

read full article

Featured

 Acid Reflux May Respond Better To Diet Than Drugs

Reflux is one of the most common health complaints among Americans, and the drugs used to relieve it are among the nation’s best-selling meds. Americans spend nearly $13 billion a year on both prescription and over-the-counter versions of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), the most popular anti-reflux medications. But it turns out that drugs aren’t necessary for some forms of the digestive condition. In a new study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, researchers found that for people with acid reflux that affects the throat, a Mediterranean diet—one rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes—was just as effective as PPIs in treating their symptoms.

 Pop a Pill for Heartburn? Try Diet and Exercise Instead

Acid reflux is a serious disorder that can and must be treated to prevent symptoms and stave off potentially life-threatening consequences. Known medically and commercially as GERD, the acronym for gastroesophageal reflux disease, repeated bathing of the soft tissues of the esophagus with corrosive stomach acid can seriously damage them and even cause esophageal cancer, which is often fatal.

Articles of Interest

Be Still, My Heartburn

The most common torture of my domestic life used to be waking in the night to find that my bedside stash of Tums was tapped out. Finally, after a gantlet of holiday parties a few years ago, I saw a doctor, and he tuned me in to the powers of prevention.

GERD diet: The best and worst foods for acid reflux

A review in the Journal of Current Opinion in Gastroenterology indicates that dietary changes are considered the first-line treatment of GERD, with more attention being paid to medication overuse. Nonpharmacological therapies, such as dietary management, are currently considered the best way to manage GERD.

The Best and Worst Foods for Acid Reflux

Managing acid reflux isn’t about giving up everything you love — it’s about knowing which foods are your friends and which are likely to stir up trouble. With a little experimenting, you can keep the burn at bay and still enjoy delicious meals.

What Are the Symptoms of GERD and How To Treat It

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is often accompanied by a host of dietary restrictions. Here's what experts recommend for keeping reflux in check.

Resources

3 Simple Steps to Eliminate Heartburn and Acid Reflux

So if drugs are not the answer, what is? We need to find the real causes of reflux and heartburn, get rid of them, and use the right foods, nutrients, and lifestyle therapies to heal the problem.

5 Diet and Lifestyle Measures to Ward Off Heartburn

If you already have acid reflux, there’s much you can do to minimize symptoms and perhaps avoid them entirely. Instead of consuming large meals, eat smaller ones more often.