It is estimated that 15 to 20 million Americans use proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium to treat heartburn, acid reflux, GERD or peptic ulcer disease. These PPIs are among the most widely overprescribed and misused drugs today, with annual pharmaceutical sales near $14 billion! These drugs were never intended to treat common heartburn as they were initially designed to treat conditions like bleeding ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (a rare condition that causes your stomach to produce excess acid) and severe acid reflux, where an endoscopy confirms that one’s esophagus has been damaged. Acid reflux is not a disease where your stomach produces too much acid, it is actually an issue wherein the stomach acid comes back through the lower esophageal sphincter, as in cases of hiatal hernias. Heartburn is the primary symptom of acid reflux. This “heartburn” is most bothersome at night, after eating a large meal, bending over, lifting or lying down. In addition to heartburn, acid reflux can result in hoarseness, a feeling of food stuck in your throat, tightness in your throat, dental problems, bad breath and asthma.
Heartburn, Acid Reflux or GERD Stop the Treatment Madness!
