Do you know of a natural cure for my GERD?? No antiacid or proton pump inhibitor!
Question:
Do you know of a natural cure for my GERD?? No antiacid or proton pump inhibitors please!!!?
I have been taking proton pump inhibitors like Prevacid and Nexium for three years now. When I go off these drugs my life becomes a nightmare. The symptoms become even worse. I have tried the aplle cider vinegar cure but does not work for me. Antiacids only help for a few minutes. Im going crazy here.
My insurance doesnt cover the proton pump inhibitors and they are very expensive, besides I worry for the long term consecuences of using them.
Answers:
There are many controversial views on natural/herbal treatments for GERD. Here are a few you might want to consider:
1. Sleep with your head-upper body somewhat elevated. The key is to elevate roughly 6-9inches if you can tolerate it. It may help reduce the symptoms.
2. Support mucous-membrane healing by chewing 250 to 500 mg of deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) before meals and bedtime
3. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol to ease irritation that could lead to cancer of the esophagus
4. experiment with your diet to find out what triggers the discomfort; high-fat foods, spicy foods, peppermint, spearmint, chocolate, and acidic beverages are all potential culprits
5. Avoid eating prior to exercise and right before bedtime to reduce symptoms
6. Hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes are sometimes recommended by practitioners of natural medicine in the hope improved digestion will help prevent reflux.
7. Other herbs traditionally used to treat reflux and heartburn include digestive demulcents (soothing agents) such as aloe vera, slippery elm, bladderwrack, and marshmallow.
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Please consult a physcian or read more into each herbal recommendation for side effects etc before starting them.
Good luck and I hope you find something that will make you feel better.