Search:

Will Aciphex WORSEN Your Heartburn?

By: Jeff Martin Can Aciphex bring any true relief to victims of heartburn? In the following article, a former heartburn patient tells the tragic truth about Aciphex, after having compared with many alternative solutions. As an Over The Counter medicament against heartburn, Aciphex is known by millions. Sales per annum of this drug topped $1.3 billion (figures from 2006).

Even if healthy people can get occasional heartburn also, recurrent heartburn (every two or three days) may indicate acid reflux, or by its full name, GERD - gastro esophageal reflux disease. About 1 in 5 of all adults in developed western countries are sufferers of recurring heartburn. The name heartburn comes from the sensation of burning and pain in the throat or the chest, especially following eating.

The acid reflux at the root of the pain of heartburn is triggered by the weakness of the esophageal sphincter. It can lead to inflammation of the inner esophagus (esophagitis) and difficulties in swallowing, bleeding, esophageal passage constriction, Barrett's esophagus, and sometimes cancer. GERD is the medical condition generated by the incorrect functioning of a muscle between the esophagus and the stomach. Called the lower esophageal sphincter, this muscle's function is to block off the esophagus from the stomach to stop acidic content from moving back into the esophagus.

There are two factors provoking acid reflux. One is weakness of the esophageal sphincter and the other one is excessive stomach acidity. The acidity is what is targeted by Aciphex as a way of reducing acid reflux symptoms including heartburn.

Aciphex is part of the group of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) which aim to treat acid reflux symptoms. This group also contains Prevacid, Protonix and Prilosec as PPIs that function by blocking the production of acid in the stomach by disabling the proton pump, which is the stomach's way of making acid.

Nonetheless, the real reason for acid reflux lies elsewhere. Aciphex is only concentrating on the feeling of heartburn. When the real reason is neglected, it will continue to produce the symptom and this may even result in drug dependency and even bigger problems of acid reflux. Even if it may be true that almost instant relief is brought by Aciphex and other PPIs, downsides are also part of the equation? In particular, because gastric acid aids digestion and kills certain invasive bacteria and viruses, deliberately stifling its production may be unwise.

A surprising conclusion was derived from the role of gastric acid which normally extends to disabling pathogens that enter the mouth, the esophagus and then the stomach. Without stomach acid, these microbes can then make their way back up the esophagus and contaminate the lungs to cause pneumonia. Not only this but other side effects almost as undesirable also come about. This information comes from medical research carried out in 2004 in Holland.

In Great Britain, studies just done indicate that patients using PPI medicaments for over a year and over the age of 50, were 44% more at risk of breaking a hip than acid reflux patients not using PPIs (these PPIs include Aciphex, Protonix, Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec). The same artificial blocking of stomach acid also interfered with the absorption of calcium and therefore with the correct bone mineral density which led to osteoporosis.

Did your friends ever tell you that heartburn and its painful effects could be prevented forever without having to use Aciphex or any similar medication? The holistic approach will treat your GERD effectively and safely and permanently stop it from coming back.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

Jeff Martin is a certified nutritionist and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, Heartburn No More . To Learn More About Jeff Martins Unique Holistic Acid Reflux Cure System Visit: Acid Reflux Treatment

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated