What do you do when you eat a meal and then experience any of these symptoms – heartburn, indigestion, abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas, acid reflux?  Do you simply reach for one of the many various antacids on the market today?  Is this the answer or is there a better way?

Dr. Alexander has some options using natural supplements.

Market surveys indicate that roughly half of all American adults have used antacids.  Tums alone produces over six BILLION tablets and sells more than 60 million bottles or rolls per year.  That’s from one manufacturer alone!

 

What are Antacids and what do they do?

For most people an antacid is an antacid.  If they have some form of stomach discomfort they can reach for a Tums as well as a Nexium or a Zantac.  In fact, all three products are not the same and act in different ways.

True antacids are fast acting and are made up of chemicals that act to neutralize stomach acid upon contact.  Common names for popular antacids include Tums,  AlkaSeltzer, Maalox, Rolaids, Mylanta and Gaviscon.

Products like Zantac and Pepcid are actually not considered true antacids but are H2 blockers.  Unlike an antacid that neutralizes stomach acid already produced, an H2 blocker works by preventing the cells of the stomach from producing too much acid in the first place.  These types of medications need to be taken anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes before a meal and can last up to 12 hours.

The third type of drugs people associate with indigestion are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).  These include Nexium, Prilosec, and Pepcid.  While H2 blockers affect the cells PPIs work by reducing the amount of stomach acid made by glands in the lining of your stomach.  PPIs can take effect within 1 hour but generally take 1-4 days to be most effective and treat stomach acid up to 24 hours.

Is the problem heartburn or indigestion?

These terms are often used interchangeably but should actually be considered two different issues.

Heartburn

Heartburn is caused when acid from the stomach “splashes” up into the esophagus and can result in:

• • a burning sensation in your throat
  • pressure or pain behind your breastbone
  • difficulty swallowing
  • worsening pain after lying down or bending over
  • an acidic, sour, or bitter taste in your mouth
  • coughing or hoarseness

Heartburn is most commonly caused by certain beverages and/or eating acidic or high fat foods such as:

• • Spicy foods

• • Onions
  • Citrus products
  • Tomato products, such as ketchup
  • Fatty or fried foods
  • Peppermint
  • Chocolate
  • Alcohol, carbonated beverages, coffee or other caffeinated beverages
  • Large or fatty meals

Other causes include being pregnant, being overweight or obese, frequent overeating, lying down too soon after eating, chronic straining or coughing, or chronic heavy lifting.

Indigestion

Indigestion is the result of food is not being properly digested leading to a wide variety of symptoms such as:

• • Burning in the stomach or upper abdomen
  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating (full feeling)
  • Burping
  • Gas
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Acidic taste
  • Growling stomach

Occasional indigestion can be caused by overeating or eating too quickly.  It can be triggered by some of the same things that cause heartburn but can also be the result of lifestyle, medications, or other diseases.

Common causes include:

• • Fatty, greasy or spicy foods
  • Too much caffeine, alcohol, chocolate or carbonated beverages
  • Smoking
  • Anxiety
  • Constipation
  • Certain antibiotics, pain relievers and iron supplements

Chronic and/or severe indigestion can have other more serious medical causes such as:

• • Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis)
  • Peptic ulcers.
  • Celiac disease.
  • Gallstones or other gallbladder related issues
  • Pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Stomach cancer.
  • Intestinal blockage

The Problems with Regular Use of Antacids

The occasional use of an antacid, such as after a party or holiday meal, will help relieve an immediate symptom and not cause too much damage.  However, if you are regularly reaching for an antacid or feel like you always need to have one on hand you need to beware of the dangers.  Just because something is over the counter (OTC) does not make it any less harmful if used incorrectly or too often.

Many antacids, such as Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta, etc., are high in calcium.   Too much calcium in your blood can weaken your bones, create kidney stones, and interfere with how your heart and brain work

Taking PPI’s like Nexium, Prilosec, etc. long term can increase the risk of fractures, pneumonia, Clostridium difficile diarrhea, hypomagnesemia, vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, chronic kidney disease, and dementia.

With any of these drugs you risk acid rebound.  In response to the decrease in acid from the antacids the body produces MORE acid to counteract the decrease which worsens the symptoms.  This leads to more use of antacids which promotes the production of more acid resulting in an endless loop.

How to Control Indigestion Without Antacids

Ginger, baking soda, and peppermint are commonly mentioned as anecdotes for indigestion along with licorice root and apple cider vinegar.  Taste, lack of easy availability, and/or how much and when to use questions are often issues when using these natural alternatives.

There are many moving parts to the digestive tract. Often the real first question should be what is causing you to have indigestion in the first place.  Is it actually…

• • Lack of enough stomach acid which reduces the digestion process and results in a buildup of gas
  • Gallbladder issues that reduce your ability to digest fats
  • Poor gut health that impacts the body’s overall ability to reliably digest and use food

There are many products online that offer natural indigestion relief but the question with some of these products is what is the quality of the ingredients and do they really work.

If you want to look at natural alternative supplements it is best to work with a qualified professional.  Many chiropractors have nutritional training and offer natural supplements that they have vigorously vetted before offering them to their patients.

Dr. Alexander has over 150 hours of advanced nutritional training and can help you determine which supplements can best address your digestive issues.  He can also set up a customized dosage plan which is specifically tailored to your individual needs. Before recommending any products, Dr. Alexander does extensive research to insure that they are of the highest quality and will fulfill their purpose.

End the antacid cycle, use natural supplements without long term side effects to address your problems with indigestion.

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