Studies have shown that the use of antacids over a long period of time does lead to long term side effects.
You are probably aware that acid reflux is the flow of stomach acid back into the esophagus which is the tube which connects the stomach and throat. When you experience acid reflux, you may experience heartburn or notice a bitter taste in your mouth. Do not be alarmed if your only symptom is infrequent heartburn as most people suffer from it occasionally after over indulgence in spicy foods or excess alcohol.
If mild heartburn is your only problem there may be no cause for alarm.
Medical practitioners suggest that you use antacids for only short periods as they have been shown to create health problems following long term use. Magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and aluminum hydroxide which are common ingredients in antacid tablets have been linked to issues including diarrhea, kidney problems and even bone weakness. If your heartburn persists when use of antacids is stopped, it may be an indicator of a more serious problem, so a visit to your doctor is essential as you may have chronic reflux (GERD).
To find the problem, an endoscopy will be carried out. A flexible tube is inserted into the esophagus and stomach through the mouth, so your doctor can examine the esophageal lining. Examinations like this use a camera and can show whether you have Barrett's esophagus which can be identified by a change in the color and composition of the cells in the lower esophagus. Barrett's esophagus often leads to esophageal cancer.
If the examination of your esophagus does not indicate a condition such as Barrett's esophagus you should explore the possibility of treating your acid reflux with natural or even herbal products. Another option are proton pump inhibitors which block acid production.
You should of course be guided by the advice of your doctor to determine the best alternative treatments.
You are probably aware that acid reflux is the flow of stomach acid back into the esophagus which is the tube which connects the stomach and throat. When you experience acid reflux, you may experience heartburn or notice a bitter taste in your mouth. Do not be alarmed if your only symptom is infrequent heartburn as most people suffer from it occasionally after over indulgence in spicy foods or excess alcohol.
If mild heartburn is your only problem there may be no cause for alarm.
Medical practitioners suggest that you use antacids for only short periods as they have been shown to create health problems following long term use. Magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and aluminum hydroxide which are common ingredients in antacid tablets have been linked to issues including diarrhea, kidney problems and even bone weakness. If your heartburn persists when use of antacids is stopped, it may be an indicator of a more serious problem, so a visit to your doctor is essential as you may have chronic reflux (GERD).
To find the problem, an endoscopy will be carried out. A flexible tube is inserted into the esophagus and stomach through the mouth, so your doctor can examine the esophageal lining. Examinations like this use a camera and can show whether you have Barrett's esophagus which can be identified by a change in the color and composition of the cells in the lower esophagus. Barrett's esophagus often leads to esophageal cancer.
If the examination of your esophagus does not indicate a condition such as Barrett's esophagus you should explore the possibility of treating your acid reflux with natural or even herbal products. Another option are proton pump inhibitors which block acid production.
You should of course be guided by the advice of your doctor to determine the best alternative treatments.
About the Author:
Antony Wilton is regarded as the authority on acid reflux treatment His site, acid reflux heartburn contains a wealth of information on the subject
No comments:
Post a Comment