Safer Alternatives to Gaviscon - What A Former Acid Reflux Patient Discovered
"Are there really safer alternatives to Gaviscon
?"
That was one question I just said to myself at the back of my head after being prescribed to take this liquid antacid medicine by my gastro-enterologist. I knew it was no use challenging my doctor.
Having had a history of digestive disorders, specifically GERD or Acid Reflux, I've tried a lot of medication and drug combinations already to try to ease the pain, especially when eating and at night time. Zantac, Ranitidine, Tums, Maalox, and proton-pump inhibitors the most famous of which is the Purple Pill - Nexium.
This time I wanted to try something different and if possible, something that works fast. It's just very frustrating to me when I used to have reflux attacks in the middle of a meal or in the wee hours of the morning and I have to take medication that usually takes effect after 30 minutes to an hour.
And there's nothing I can do but deal with symptoms such as stomach bloatedness, dizzy spells, intense headache at times and of course, what I call the false "heart attack". If you were like me, you'd have had a number of times being rushed to the emergency room thinking that you were having cardiac arrest, when what you were actually experiencing is GERD.
Of course, the symptoms vary from person to person, but the main question is, "What can I take immediately to relieve my acid reflux?"
Which brought me back to Gaviscon. It's basically an antacid that is said to help treat acid ingestion, heartburn, peptic ulcers, hiatal hernias, as well as reflux esophagitis. "Ok", I thought to myself. It comes in a pill, liquid or sachet form and normally in flavors such as peppermint, lemon or aniseed. I was prescribed to take the liquid form since according to them, it acts faster and is more suitable in my case.
Its effective and patented ingredient is "alginate", a derivative of seaweed that acts as a kind of raft that sits on the acid in the stomach, thereby, suppressing acid reflux. "Cool", I said. The first time I tried it, I noticed its immediate effectivity and honestly, I kinda like the taste (some of you may disagree with me on this).
It didn't take too long for me however, to realize in the weeks ahead that I became dependent on Gaviscon. It's something that I couldn't live without, even though I hated becoming dependent on any drug. Even the "harmless" paracetamol for a simple headache bugs me.
I found out that there is such a thing as Gaviscon overdose, just like every other drug. I recommend not taking it straight for more than a week (3x a day) as you might experience additional symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, vomiting, nausea and God forbid, loss of consciousness. I didn't make that list up, they were all in the Gaviscon manual.
It's also not recommended to take a double dose at a time. Ironically, there is now also a Gaviscon advanced formula, which is much thicker in consistency and claims to be better.
"No thanks, this time I'll pass".
I would still recommend any GERD patient to use Gaviscon, but only on an emergency basis. If you do have reflux attacks, I would rather stick with safe and natural home remedies such as drinking hot (bearable) alkaline water or taking 1 or 2 tablespoons of honey (helps heal the digestive tract).
Aside from them being cheaper and safer, they are usually found at home, and matched along with other proven home remedies, they still provide the best combination to help heal your acid reflux.
Have you given it proper thought if you are
Curing your Acid Reflux Disease, or making it worse? I hate to admit it, but frankly when I learned what conventional medicine was actually doing to my body, I was enraged!
Find out the shocking truths that your doctor failed to tell you, and how to put an end to your digestive pain and misery when you visit
http://healmyacidreflux.com.
Safer Alternatives to Gaviscon - What A Former Acid Reflux Patient Discovered
By: Richard Alden
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