The causes of heartburn and acid reflux

Part 9 – Benefits and drawbacks of antacid and acid-blocking medications

Summary

  • In video 7 of this series, I discussed stomach acid.
  • If stomach acid is too high, then acid blocking medications are important, if not essential, until the root cause of the high acid is treated.
  • There is nothing wrong with taking acid blocking meds for a short period of time to lessen symptoms and improve quality of life.
  • However as you have learned from this video series, it’s important to find the underlying cause of symptoms like heartburn and reflux because they may lead to more seri0us problems down the road.
  • Furthermore, heartburn may in some cases by caused by LOW stomach acid  – why would we want to lower the acid level further by using meds?
  • The key is not to get hooked on meds – use them for short periods of time while investigations are done to find the causes.
  • Remember that long-term proton pump inhibitor use is associated with decreased nutrient absorption.
  • Stomach acid is needed for protein digestion, to activate digestive enzymes, AND to kill “bad bugs” like bacteria that may be in your food and water.
  • Bottom line: If you shut off stomach acid, you shut off digestion.
  • Change diet and lifestyle, avoid alcohol, consider stress levels, consider hiatal hernias.
  • Get tested for H. pylori, SIBO, parasites, Candida, etc.
  • Deficiencies in these nutrients can expose you to other chronic health problems.
  • See video 10 to learn how you can wean yourself away from acid blocking meds over time, and with the help of your doc.
  • See the book by Drs. Wright and Lenard titled “Why Stomach Acid Is Good For You” for more info on stomach acid and the problems associated with taking acid blocking meds.

Watch the other videos in this series

  1. Why heartburn is dangerous (deal with it immediately!)
  2. General overview of heartburn and acid reflux causes
  3. How food and diet can cause heartburn and reflux
  4. How medical drugs and recreational drugs can cause heartburn
  5. How H. pylori causes heartburn
  6. How Candida, SIBO and parasites cause heartburn
  7. Why high or low stomach acid can cause heartburn
  8. How a hiatal hernia can cause heartburn and reflux
  9. The benefits and drawbacks of taking acid blocking medications (H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors, etc.) (You are here)
  10. How to wean yourself off acid blocking medications

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Best,

Dave.