Nexium and Acid Reflux
by T. Houser
Acid reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a problem that almost everyone experiences at sometime in his or her life. Acid reflux, also known as reflux esophagitis, is an inflammation of the esophagus caused by the regurgitation of the stomach contents. Acid reflux occurs when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus. Many people experience acid reflux frequently and severely. One out of ten adults experience acid refl
ux on a daily basis. Treating acid reflux by medication causes the suppression of stomach acid. Acid reflux medications are promoted as miracle cures for millions of acid reflux sufferers.
These drugs are huge moneymakers for the pharmaceutical companies. Prilosec is known as the original 'Purple Pill'. It became the top selling prescription drug for senior citizens in the world. Its manufacturer (AstraZeneca) earns six billion a year from sales of the 'Purple Pill'.
Once the patent on Prilosec expired, the Drug Company spent five hundred million dollars on a marketing campaign to move their customers to their next expensive 'Purple Pill', which is called Nexium. It is hard to watch television without seeing an ad for the the 'Purple Pill'.
There have been studies done and experts agree that Nexium was hardly more effective than the original drug, Prilosec. The pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca managed to transfer over forty percent of its Prilosec patients to Nexium.
People must be aware of when a drug is actually needed by your body and when it is just a marketing tool to increase a drug companies profits.
Drugs do not solve the problem of acid reflux they merely mask the problem. However, the drugs are effective. Otherwise, the drug companies would not be making huge profits. Drugs such as Prilosec and Prevacid are what they call "proton pump inhibitors". These drugs dramatically reduce the amount of hydrochloric acid in your stomach. This also reduces an important defense mechanism against food-borne infections and increases the likelihood of food poisoning. If you are not digesting your food properly, you also increase your risk for nearly every other chronic degenerative disease.
At Howard Hughes Medical Institute, scientists performed two studies by reducing the amount of stomach acid in lab mice. These studies proved that reducing hydrochloric acid in your stomach could be the wrong thing to do.
In conclusion, if you are an acid reflux sufferer, please consider natural methods to cure your acid reflux symptoms. Methods such as a proper diet are a positive step towards a cure. Nexium and other like drugs are not cures for acid reflux they merely mask the problem. Please consult your Doctor if you feel you have the symptoms of acid reflux.
About the Author
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by T.D. Houser