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Dr. Stengler: The common medications used to suppress stomach acid come with a whole host of different risks, real serious side effects. For example, they increase your bone fracture rate, because you can't absorb your calcium and minerals, and you could have memory problems. There are so many serious potential problems with these acid-suppressing medications, which are some of the most prescribed medications in America, and you also have an increased risk of pneumonia on these medications. So if we use natural things to help give a person relief and treat the root of the reflux, that's the best way to do it.
Host: Some of the conventional medicines can also make your mind not quite with it, and cause diarrhea.
Dr. Stengler: You know why that is? If you're suppressing your stomach acid — you need stomach acid to break your food down. Stomach acid helps to liquefy your food, break it down initially, and especially break down protein. So if you can't break down your protein, you end up with protein deficiency over time, and you need protein for everything — your hair, your skin, your muscles, even your bones. Fatigue is also another common side effect we hear about with patients on these medications, as well as dizziness. The fatigue is mainly related to the fact that your B12 cannot be absorbed — you need stomach acid to absorb your B12, and B12 is important for the brain. Recent studies have shown your brain can actually decrease in size by thirty percent with B12 deficiency, so poor memory, depression, and fatigue can come with a B12 deficiency. Vitamin C studies are also showing these drugs can lead to a vitamin C deficiency, which you need for a healthy immune system, healthy skin, and healthy bones. So you end up with nutrient deficiencies if you suppress your stomach acid too much.
Acid reflux medications are some of the most-prescribed medications in the country. But a lot of common meds have some very serious side effects, including increased risk of:
...And much more. Watch this two-minute video to learn what to watch out for with heartburn medications.
READ ABOUT ALTERNATIVES FOR ACID REFLUX
The best way to avoid the adverse side effects of common heartburn medications is to treat the root cause of heartburn itself as opposed to merely relieving specific symptoms. Contact the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine to see how we can naturally treat the root cause of acid reflux.
