Acid reflux is a type of disorder in
which the acid containing gastric juices, reflux
or flow back from the stomach to the oesophagus.
This causes many problems, including heartburn.
There are many drugs, which claim to treat acid
reflux. However, In order to control and eliminate
acid reflux, you have to really understand both
the efficiency of the acid reflux
drugs and their effects.
Types of acid reflux
drugs:
The most common forms of acid reflux
drugs which are used by people are the over-the
counter pills that are not adequately designed to
treat acid reflux. Many of the drugs are however
meant for easing the symptoms of acid reflux and
provide short-term relief from the pain caused by
acid reflux. Therefore, they do win the approval
of acid reflux patients because of quick results.
However, when it comes to long-term effects, these
over - the - counter pills fail miserably to
fulfil their promises and also give you some
distressing side effects in the bargain. The acid
reflux drugs can be divided into three categories
namely Antacids, H2 - receptor antagonists, and
PPI or proton pump inhibitors. The Antacids are
aimed at neutralizing acidity, while the H2 -
receptors claim to protect your gastric system
from the harmful stomach acid production.
Meanwhile, the PPI specializes in counteracting
the mechanism present in the stomach cells in such
a way that it prevents the flow of acid into the
stomach.
Read more about acid reflux medication
Advantages of acid reflux
drugs:
Acid reflux drugs provide immediate
relief. They prove to be beneficial as they can
ease extreme pain and suffering. Hence, they are
used, mostly during emergency situations, when the
pain is especially unbearable. Acid reflux drugs
also help the patients to counteract the symptoms
of acid reflux till they can find a more permanent
solution to the problem.
Limitations of acid reflux
drugs:
The effects of acid reflux drugs are
grossly short lived. This is because; they
concentrate only on the symptoms of acid reflux
and not the actual cause of the problem. Acid
reflux drugs also cause side effects, especially
if they are taken over a long time. Some acid
reflux drugs can also weaken your immune system,
while others can damage your liver. Besides
this, acid reflux drugs can also give patients a
false sense of security. Hence, they can actually
prevent the patients from seeking treatment that
is so necessary to treat acid reflux in time. Acid
reflux drugs also don't provide an alternative to
efficient and long-lasting acid reflux treatments
like holistic treatment.
Holistic approach counteracts all the
negative aspects of acid reflux drugs by staying
away successfully from superficial conventional
medical treatment. As acid reflux is related not
just to your stomach, but also to your entire
system, acid reflux drugs can barely scrape the
surface of efficient acid reflux treatment. On the
other hand holistic approach combines herbal
medication, diet and lifestyle modification and a
lot more to attack this disease where it hurts the
most. Hence, in order to treat your acid reflux,
you will have to approach the most comprehensive
form of treatment that can be offered only by
alternative medication, in particular the holistic
approach.