By Dr. Wayne Pickering

So many people have been taught that certain medications have toxic side effects. Well let’s get this out in the open right off the bat. There is no such thing as toxic side effects. Those ARE THE EFFECTS!

So what are some of these toxic effects of GERD Medications.

First of all, prolonged acid reflux symptoms can cause damage and irritation to the tissues of the stomach, esophagus, and mouth.  Often, gastric juices can enter the lungs, resulting in an infection.  Other complications of acid reflux include dental erosion and other digestive complications.

Acid reflux symptoms, or GERD, affect millions of people the world over.  These include heartburn, dyspepsia and regurgitation due to a condition in which the content of the stomach backs up or regurgitates back into the esophagus.   This is known as refluxing.

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing.  GERD is a chronic disease and its treatment is problematic.  It may be present with various symptoms including heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, coughing, hoarseness or chest pain.

Sometimes this can damage the esophagus by inflaming it.   By the way, acid reflux is also known as GERD which stands for Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease.

So let’s talk about the GOOD GERD MEDICATIONS first…

Supplemental dietary enzymes have been shown to alleviate heartburn by accelerating digestion thus avoiding the occurrence of GERD.

The principal Digestive Enzymes used to treat GERD include:

-        Amylase (which digest Polysaccharides)

-        Cellulase (which digests Cellulose)

-        Lipases (which digest dietary Fats)

-        Proteolytic Enzymes (which digest dietary Proteins)

A natural approach to preventing GERD is to use enzyme supplements and increase the ingestion of raw fruits and vegetables.

Studies have also shown that melatonin, and natural human hormone may aid in digestion and thus serving as a preventative against GERD

Melatonin has known inhibitory activities on gastric acid secretion and nitric oxide biosynthesis.  Nitric oxide has an important role in the transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR), which is a major mechanism of reflux in patients with GERD.

Additionally, some minerals are believed to have the capacity to prevent GERD.  Calcium (600 mg of the liquid or tablet form of the Calcium Carbonate form of Calcium taken every two to three hours) may alleviate Heartburn (according to some naturopaths).

Most often, when heartburn and indigestion first begin to become a problem we turn to over the counter antacids.  Then as the problem intensifies we resort to histamine-2 blockers.  Most drugs of this type provide relief by decreasing the production of stomach acid.  Higher doses require a doctor’s prescription.
Your  doctor may also recommend adding a drug, such as metoclopramide, which works to empty food and acid from your stomach quickly. This lessens the amount of food and acid dumping back into the esophagus. It will also help tighten the lower esophageal sphincter muscle which keeps acid confined to the stomach preventing further damage to the esophagus.  Metoclopramide is known by brand names like Reglan and Metozolv ODT.

Another option available is a line of drugs called Proton pump inhibitors which is generally prescribed in more severe heartburn/GERD cases. In normal application these drugs are taken daily and have proven to be very effective in easing heartburn symptoms.  These drugs are marketed under names like: Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium.

The “Bad” side of GERD medications is the body can become dependent upon them and prolonged use can have some very unsatisfying results.  For example hip fractures have been linked to the use of Proton pump inhibitors in patients over 50.

As with all drugs the list of the potential side effects for these drugs is a mile long.  The best advice is changed lifestyle that involves weight loss, healthy eating, and avoiding foods and activities that contribute to the aggravation of GERD.