Talk about health

I've read that as many as 44% of adults in the UK (and maybe the USA too) suffer from heartburn or acid reflux. If it's true, thats a whole lot of people.

Part of the problem is because the sphincter (a circular muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus and the top of the stomach that keeps the acid where its supposed to be) that normally shuts the opening after food you've swallowed goes into the stomach doesn't do its work properly. The result is that acid can get back out onto the oesophagus causing the burning feeling. In extreme cases the acid even gets quite a way up the oesophagus and into the bronchi and lungs. So, the escape of acid can cause a whole range of symptoms over and above heartburn.

Some experts suggest the reasons for the sphincter becoming less efficient is due at least partly to the antacids we swallow in an attempt to counter the acid. Its a kind of vicious circle where less acid means less need to have the protection of the sphincter muscle, so the muscle doesn't need to 'try' as hard.

And it's generally agreed that the long-term use of powerful drugs to limit acid production (proton pump inhibitors and histamine antagonists) just makes it worse.

As usual, conventional medicine searches for a innovative and usually expensive, if not life threatening treatment, while the alternative camp have much safer and ultimately more effective cure.

In this case, a UK hospital team have devised a piece of equipment that is inserted into the sphincter area to make it more efficient and cut the acid reflux. It needs general anaesthesia to insert, with all the problems associated with that. Not to mention the recovery time, pain killing medication and the rest while the patient stays in hospital.

Now, there may well be a use for this device and many people may benefit from it and feel much better in the long run. So, I don't want to 'rubbish' it until I've seen more information on the success rates, problems and so on.

However, I think you can treat and possibly cure heartburn using alternative therapies. Dietary changes, probiotics, and herbs all feature in effective treatment. It certainly takes some effort by the patient and a little time. Very few cures are instantaneous. But, by making the necessary changes to diet and lifestyle, heartburn and reflux can be effectively worked on.

The 'one stop' treatment does have its attractions, but there is always a downside. Please consider this when contemplating the options.

If you would like to find out more on the good and bad of antacids in general, and ways of approaching the alternatives, get in touch for a copy of my booklet called 'Heartburn, Indigestion & Acid reflux- Causes and treatment'. Its available as digital download or printed copy through http://www.healthexplored.co.uk , or drop me an e-mail at info@healthexplored.co.uk for more information. Or you can subscribe to my FREE newsletter and get regular health updates.