It's possible you were given the wrong diagnosis. The food you're eating may be making your condition worse. Learn why heartburn medication may not work and what you can do about it. Acid reflux, or heartburn, may be alleviated with proton pump inhibitor use (PPIs). Painful acid reflux into the esophagus may be avoided by using medications that stop the production of stomach acid. Popular proton pump inhibitor (PPI) brands include Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix. However, not everyone will benefit from them. Breakthrough symptoms may occur even if PPIs are generally effective. Over half of those using PPIs daily still had symptoms during the previous week, according to research published in the 2020 edition of Gastroenterology.
Why Drugs For Heartburn Can Fail
Reflux Acidosis Is Not Something You Suffer From
Health quotes Joel Richter, MD, head of the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition at the University of South Florida School of Medicine, saying that a wrong diagnosis might be why PPIs aren't working for you. PPIs are used to treat GERD, which occurs when acid reflux occurs often enough to cause damage to the esophagus. However, several diseases have symptoms of GERD. Heartburn may be caused by several things, including muscle spasms, stretching, acid reflux in the esophagus, and even heart problems. Dr. Richter said that a significant portion of patients prescribed these drugs show no improvement since their symptoms are not caused by excess stomach acid.
Food Reflux Is A Result Of Your Diet
PPIs may be helpful for people with GERD. However, they may be less effective for those who regularly consume items that cause them to have reflux. Eating a lot of fried or fatty food might bring on a flare-up. Eating a heavy dinner soon before bedtime may have the same effect. Dr. Richter reassured his patients that they could wean themselves off of PPIs with dietary changes. Acid production may still occur even while using a PPI. Stomach acid is beneficial because it helps sterilize the digestive system and eliminate the bacteria that make nitrosamines, a chemical substance linked to an increased risk of gastric cancer. In conclusion, some stomach acid is beneficial, but excessive amounts might be harmful. Eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet and using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are two approaches to controlling reflux symptoms.
If You Want To Go Off Ppis, You Need To Change Your Method Of Administration.
When patients don't take their medicine as prescribed or at the right times, they often have breakthrough symptoms. David A. Johnson, MD, head of gastroenterology at Eastern Virginia Medical School but instead past president of the American College of Gastroenterology told Health that proton pump inhibitors are often taken 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. However, Dr. Johnson noted that some patients benefit more from taking two doses daily to prevent evening discomfort.
A Variety Of Alternative Therapies
If proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) aren't doing the trick, you and your doctor may discuss other options. Changes in behavior and routine might help forestall or lessen the severity of breakthrough symptoms. Get your prescriptions filled on time and stick to your medication schedule. Ask your doctor for advice on when and how to take the medication.
Don't Go To Bed Hungry
It's not a good idea to lie down for the first time within three to four hours after eating a substantial meal, especially if it was eaten late at night. Dr. Johnson emphasized avoiding recumbency (lying down) and late eating. These three factors may be too much for the body to manage, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), the conventional therapy for GERD, may not be enough.
Raise Your Eyebrows
Dr. Johnson recommended sleeping with your head up to relieve nocturnal discomfort, particularly fluid regurgitation into the esophagus and mouth. An alternative is to use blocks to prop up the head of your bed, or maybe even a bed wedge, to raise your upper body slightly above the level of the mattress.
Control Your Weight
Clinical Gastroenterology but instead Hepatology published a review in 2016 that indicated a correlation between weight reduction and reduced reflux symptoms. 2 Some patients may get relief from reflux symptoms with as little as a 2.5-pound weight loss, according to Dr. Johnson. Try to stay at a healthy weight for your own sake.
Conclusion
You are not alone if you have tried PPI drugs without finding much help. This article will discuss the mechanisms behind acid reflux medication and why it doesn't work for certain people. As a bonus, we'll go through several alternatives to medication for acid reflux that your doctor may recommend. You may skip to the specific subsection you're interested in using the links below or read the whole thing to get an in-depth understanding of the subject.
