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Treating Acid Reflux With Nexium Can Be DANGEROUS |
By:
Jeff Martin |
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Treating Acid Reflux with Nexium Can Be DANGEROUS
Jeff Martin
As a medicament prescribed to treat symptoms of acid reflux, Nexium was launched in 2001 and achieved sales of more than $5.7 billion in 2005 to become the world's third-largest selling drug. Prior to talking about the way that Nexium acts in cases of acid reflux, its possible side effects and healthier options, let's discuss acid reflux disease in general.
Acid reflux is connected with the action of the circular muscle (the lower esophageal sphincter or LES) acting as a valve at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach. If stomach acids flow back into the esophagus and its lining, the person can fall victim to a burning sensation known as heartburn in the chest and /or the throat. Also referred to as GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, acid reflux is the consequence of the LES not shutting properly. For some patients, the feeling is as if food had got stuck in their throat, choking or narrowing of the throat or a recurrent dry cough.
When esophageal inflammation is continual, ulcers or bleeding can occur, and scar tissue can produce strictures of the throat making it difficult to swallow. Older victims of GERD may also contract Barrett's esophagus, where cells in the esophageal lining take on abnormal forms and colors. In time, this may turn into cancer. Therefore, a rapid and proper diagnosis of gastro esophageal reflux disease must be effected and then handled in a timely fashion. Together with the distressful, painful sensations already indicated, serious complications can also happen when acid reflux is neglected.
Classical medications against acid reflux conditions can be classified into four main groups: antacids, alginates, PPI (proton pump inhibitors) and H2-receptor antagonists. Nexium is in the PPI category, the medicaments that aim to lower the amount of stomach acid by blocking the stomach mechanism that produces this acid, also known as a proton pump.
Treatment using Nexium has three major drawbacks:
The first is that by preventing acid generation in the stomach, Nexium works on the symptoms of acid reflux in a temporary way to reduce acid reflux pain. The drug has to be taken every day to prevent acid reflux recurring and a lifelong dependency is then the result. An important comment here is that GERD is a condition that is the result of a complex set of environmental, dietary and lifestyle aspects, and that stomach acid is only the symptom of this.
Secondly, one of the basic functions of stomach acid is join in the body's efforts to defend against Candida and parasites, and to help nutrient absorption. The inhibition of the production of stomach acid can in fact generate more long-term indigestion and acid reflux.
The third is that the persistent use of nexium can bring about a lot of secondary effects that commonly include severe headaches and diarrhea. Links to osteoporosis have also been suggested.
A research team leader, Robert J.F.Laheij, states that using nexium to diminish the stomach acids that kill germs increases the danger of GERD patients being attacked by pneumonia generating bacteria. A recent Dutch report from 360,000 subjects concluded that use of nexium could significantly boost the danger of pneumonia for an acid reflux sufferer.
Yu-Xiao Yang, MD, research team leader and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, says that victims of gastro esophageal reflux disease should plan on implementing alterations in diet and lifestyle as a safer, healthier option. According to Dr. Yang, this solution can slow down or even halt the need for PPIs. Moreover, recent research available in the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggested that people over 50 years old who had used nexium for over 12 months, had much more chance of suffering fractures of the hip.
Were you aware that permanent alleviation of your wearisome, distressing symptoms of acid reflux is possible without resorting to classical medicaments such as Nexium and their concomitant secondary effects?
Adopting a holistic approach (taking specific supplements of herbs and vitamins, together with a full strategy of Candida control protocols and dietary principles) can solve GERD naturally and effectively and safely prevent its return.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article77910.html |
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