If you have heartburn or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), when you take an antacid and your pain goes away, does this mean your stomach is functioning properly? No...
You may feel better but you are indeed hurting yourself.
In many cases the problem is not too much stomach acid, it is TOO LITTLE.
Having too little stomach acid can be a serious problem to your health.
This combined with taking an antacid (over the counter or prescribed) is simply suppressing a symptom.
There is something else going on causing the acid to come up your esophagus.
Heartburn and GERD Heartburn is the irritation of the esophagus caused by stomach acid that has come in contact with it, while GERD is just a more serious form of acid reflux.
GERD is the most common digestive disorder in the United States.
It is estimated that 20% of the population experience GERD symptoms weekly.
Nexium is the second most profitable prescribed drug in the United States, raking in 6.
4 billion dollars according to the IMS Institute for Healthcare Infomatics.
Over the counter heartburn medicine is the second highest in sales making 1.
3 billion annually.
This is great, except that most often antacids are not the solution! The Truth...
The process begins by chewing our food and swallowing it.
The food then travels down the esophagus through the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) into the stomach.
The LES is a valve and its purpose is to keep stomach contents in the stomach.
If the LES is not functioning properly it allows acid to seep back into the esophagus leading you to experience the burning sensation.
Remember ANY amount of acid will be uncomfortable so this does NOT mean that you have excess acid production.
Why we need acid in our stomachs Stomach acid is required for good health! Yes we could survive without it, but imagine how your stomach would look.
One cause of poor LES function is due to increased intra-abdominal pressure caused by a lack of stomach acid.
Low acid allows bacteria to grow which in turn leads to poor digestion and fermentation of carbohydrates and protein.
The gas produced by fermentation increases the internal pressure of your stomach, and then on your LES which causes acid to escape into your esophagus.
It is essential that you get to the cause of the burning sensation you feel after you eat.
It is important that you have the appropriate amount of acid in your stomach for your body to be functioning at 100%.
There are serious consequences of long term antacid use.
You must contact an expert for a consultation to find out what they are, and help you discover what is truly happening with your digestive system.
You deserve to live a pain free and healthy life!