Too Hard to Stomach

The risks associated with antacids might outweigh the potential benefits they offer.  Do you know what proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are?  They are a specific group of antacid medications designed to reduce the body’s natural acid production. Unfortunately, they may provide more than the user bargained for.PPIs are commonly prescribed for gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD), which is a condition where gastric contents pass into the esophagus with associated symptoms such as chest pain, dysphasia, disturbed sleep, chronic cough, wheezing, and hoarseness. The proposed etiology is that GERD is caused from too much acid in the stomach refluxing into the esophagus. Treatment is suppose to suppress acid secretion from the parietal cells of the stomach.The majority of those suffering from gastric reflux may actually be suffering from too little acid (hypochlorhydria), which is contrary to the current theory of reflux being caused by too much acid. People who have low stomach acid levels commonly have symptoms of chronic gas, flatulence, bloating, and constipation of diarrhea. The weak acid environment slows digestion.The protein in their food sits in the stomach and putrefies instead of digesting. This faulty digestive process is associated with weak acids, not highly acidic hydrochloric acid. These acids trickle up the open door into the esophagus causing the pain called “gastric reflux.”The barrier that prevents acids from traveling from your stomach up into your esophagus is called the esophageal sphincter. This special muscular “door” keeps acid in the stomach and is controlled by special nerves called the vagus and splachnic nerves.  The proposed management of this condition is to identify any spinal misalignments affecting the nerves that control esophageal spincters, as well as supplementation with betain HCL.