Aloe vera juice for acid reflux

November 16, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: After years of using Tums and then omeprazole for acid reflux, I purchased aloe vera juice from a health food store. I did my research and got most of my information from the WebMD site and made sure to get the juice that is filtered to remove the aloin (which apparently causes diarrhea and is not safe to take orally). I began drinking about two ounces morning and night. The stomach acid disappeared almost immediately. I have had no side effects and the juice was about $15 for a gallon.

DEAR READER: Aloe vera is a cactus-like plant (known as a succulent). The gel (found on the inside of the leaf) is most commonly used topically to treat burns and certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis. The outer (green) portion of the leaf can be used to make juice or aloe latex. Aloe latex was a component of many over-the-counter laxatives, but they were removed from the market in 2002 due to concerns.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: ,

Avoiding acid reflux

October 18, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: After reading your article on the extensive use and possible side effects of Prilosec and other PPIs, I would like to share with you how I have effectively eliminated heartburn symptoms without medications. My theory is that acid reflux is harmful because of irritation of the esophagus from abrasive and improperly chewed foods. Crisp and crunchy foods are very popular and can be very abrasive if not thoroughly chewed. The regimen I have assigned to myself may not be easy to do at first, but is very simple and may seem a little silly.

1.) Avoid crisp and crunchy foods whenever possible. Corn chips are bad! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , ,

Alternative causes of chronic cough

March 13, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: In January 2011, your column responded to a 19-year-old who had a chronic cough for 16 months. I, too, had a chronic cough whenever I sat, stood, laughed, was around smoke or after exercising. It lasted more than 15 months. My other symptom was hoarseness with a sensation of something in the back of my throat. I had been put on prescription cough syrups and pills. I had also tried some of the same medicines that were mentioned in your column, including those for asthma, acid reflux and allergies. I was asked about acid reflux but hadn’t had the usual symptoms for it. I saw an allergist and a pulmonologist. I had a chest X-ray, allergy tests, CT scans of my sinuses, breathing tests and a bronchial scope.

While awaiting an appointment with yet another doctor about the cough, I had my yearly pap test, and blood was also found in my stool. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , , ,

Colonel mustard to the rescue

February 19, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: For many years, I have had severe heartburn. I was diagnosed with a sliding hiatal hernia and was prescribed Nexium. Then I switched to Prilosec because of the exorbitant price of the first drug.

I tried to be health conscious and didn’t like taking drugs, so I attempted natural remedies, including calcium citrate mixed with AbsorbAid. Only the drugs worked.

Then two weeks ago, I stumbled on an article about the benefits of mustard for heartburn. It said to mix 2 teaspoons of mustard with a half glass of water at the first sign of heartburn. I stopped taking Prilosec and tried French’s mustard. I haven’t had heartburn since!
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Gagging has many causes

November 9, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Thank you for your balanced, sensible and unbiased information. It is a breath of fresh air.
My husband has a problem with spontaneous gagging. It does not seem to be related to eating, foreign objects or any activity in particular. It has caused him to pull the car over or stop talking with clients.

This has been going on for almost a year. We have had monitoring of his throat for acid reflux, and he did have some, but the rise in acid doesn’t seem to correspond with the gagging, and medication doesn’t make a difference. He has tried over-the-counter medications as well as prescriptions. He has also had an endoscopic procedure, which showed no polyps.

I would greatly appreciate any information you can provide; our doctors seem to be at a dead end.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Unusual GERD symptoms plague reader

May 20, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I was prescribed omeprazole 20 milligrams daily following an upper endoscopy. I have been taking this medication for almost a year and have been told that it inhibits the absorption of calcium. I was diagnosed with GERD and a hiatal hernia, plus two small stomach ulcers. I’m a 62-year-old female and have in the past been prescribed Evista, which my doctor took me off after one year and a sufficient bone-density test. Should I continue to take the omeprazole? I have severe stomach cramps that are debilitating for about three days and also vomiting about once a month, even with the medication.

DEAR READER: Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus fails to close properly or is weakened, allowing a backwash of stomach acid into the esophagus. Hiatal hernia occurs as a result of increased abdominal [Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , ,

Patient wants remedy for GERD

April 8, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Is there any home remedy for GERD? I am on Zegerid, watch what I eat, have the head of my bed elevated, and still can’t get rid of the midsternal indigestion. I have had a thorough medical workup.

DEAR READER: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is acid reflux that occurs regularly. The ring of muscles that separates the stomach from the esophagus is either weak or fails to close properly. Symptoms present when the backwash of stomach acid enters the esophagus and, as you are likely aware, can include difficulty swallowing, chest pain, a burning sensation, pain, dry cough, bad breath and more.

Treatment is one of progression. Over-the-counter medications such as Prilosec, Tagamet or Pepcid AC might be considered; when ineffective, they may be followed by prescription medication. Then might come X-ray testing, such as a barium swallow or upper endoscopy, which should reveal whether your symptoms are from GERD or caused by something else. If your GERD is severe and caused by a hiatal hernia, surgical repair may be recommended. Hiatal hernias can develop from sudden physical exertion, straining during evacuation, vomiting or coughing.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , ,

Talk to doctor about meds

February 13, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Because of acid reflux that I couldn’t control through diet and over-the-counter medicines, my doctor had me on 40 milligrams of Nexium daily. I took this for many years, but now my insurance no longer covers it, and I cannot afford to pay out of pocket. Now my doctor has suggested using over-the-counter Prilosec. The daily dose is 20 milligrams, and the package states that it should be taken for only 14 days at a time.
When I called my doctor about this, he said it was OK to take it daily just as I had taken the Nexium. My question to you: Is it really OK? Should I also be increasing the dosage to 40 milligrams or leave it at 20? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , , ,

Daily Column

October 16, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 43-year-old male who has suffered from heartburn or acid reflux for years. Each day I would require multiple doses of over-the-counter heartburn relief medicines. I also did two courses of Prilosec OTC.

I changed my diet to avoid foods containing high acids, to no avail. I was on a regular regimen of prescription medications that made me unhappy, so I explored another therapy for this ailment. A friend told me about apple cider vinegar, so I tried three tablespoons in a six ounce glass of water three times a day for five days. I dealt with the nasty taste of the vinegar and had some initial heartburn discomfort, but I didn’t take any OTC meds. I’ve been heartburn-free for over a month and have not taken an acid reducer since I began this therapy. The total cost has been about $2 for the vinegar. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: ,

Daily Column

August 6, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I’m a nearly 72-year-old female with acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome and vaginal irritation. I read the letter where you advised a reader to stop wasting money on unproven alternative remedies. I’ve gone to doctors all my life for my ailments, but in the last few years their treatments didn’t work or caused side effects I couldn’t tolerate. That’s when I heard about alternative remedies from a friend who was forced to retired from work because of his health. He went to a physician who used alternative methods and diagnosed him with a yeast infection. My friend was helped so much he was able to return to work a new man. I approached several of my medical doctors about alternative treatments and received mixed reactions, but my primary care physician consented and sent me to one. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , ,
Next Page»