Daily Column

February 7, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have been on Prilosec for my acid indigestion. It works. Recently my daughter called me and told me that in India they have you eat a banana as a treatment for GERD and that I should try it. The next day I put a chopped up banana in my breakfast cereal. To my surprise it worked.

Since I have started this I have had no indigestion and have not had to take my Prilosec. I don’t know why or how it works but it does. Please pass this on to your readers.

DEAR READER:
Done. Like, you I have no idea why this would work but am curious to know if it works for others as well.

So readers, if you suffer from gastro-esophageal reflux disease or frequent heartburn and indigestion, please give this remedy a try and let me know what your results were. [Read more...]

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Esophageal Spasms Painful

January 9, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
About once a month I get esophageal spasms, diagnosed as such by my doctor. The pain actually mimics that of a heart attack with pain across my chest and back. It lasts about 20 minutes.

Can you tell me what causes the spasms, how they could be prevented and what to do when they occur? I know there is a pill I could take but I am not anxious to add another pill to my regimen. I would appreciate any information you can provide on this ongoing problem.

DEAR READER:
Spasms of the esophagus are muscle contractions that prevent food from passing in a normal manner from the esophagus into the stomach.

Symptoms resemble those of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and can include heartburn, chest pain and more. Contractions can be quite painful, intermittent and vary in intensity with chest pain mimicking angina. Women are more commonly affected by the condition than are men and the probability of the condition increases as an individual ages.

There are a number of steps an individual can take to control symptoms. Diet modification can help. Eliminate or reduce your intake of acidic, greasy/fatty and spicy foods. Try eating four or five smaller meals rather than two or three large ones. You should also avoid foods that are extremely hot or cold as they can trigger an attack.

Short-term treatment may involve an over-the-counter or prescription medication to relax the muscles of the esophagus. [Read more...]

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Metallic Taste Needs Diagnosis

December 22, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have a problem that has continued for approximately three months now. I have a metallic taste in my mouth which affects the flavor of most everything I eat. Sometimes when I eat certain foods, my whole mouth burns and is sore. I do take Nexium and metoclopramide for bile and digestive problems. I have tried eliminating these but it does not seem to help at all. I also have osteoporosis and use Forteo as a daily injection. I take a calcium complex and extra vitamin D daily as well.

I am at a loss as to what could be causing this and my gastroenterologist now wants me to see an ear-nose-and-throat specialist. Do you have any suggestions?

DEAR READER:
A metallic taste in the mouth can be an early sign of vitamin D overdose. Since you don’t say what dosage you take, [Read more...]

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Daily Column

November 20, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
You recently suggested a reader raise the head of his bed three to four inches to help reduce nighttime acid indigestion. However, adding a second pillow can be uncomfortable for some and wedge pillows can be expensive. I suggest he put the extra pillows under the mattress to raise his head. It is much more comfortable.

DEAR READER:
Simply using a second pillow is not an option in this case. This merely raises the head, leaving the neck at an angle. By placing wooden blocks under the feet of the headboard, the entire bed is angled slightly, putting the stomach lower than the head and neck. In this way gravity keeps the acid in the stomach.

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Daily Column

November 20, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I recently had an endoscopy and was diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus. What is the best treatment? Is surgery an option?

I read your articles every day and save many of them. Keep up the good work.

DEAR READER:
Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which the lining of the esophagus is replaced by tissue similar to that of the intestine.

The cause of Barrett’s is unknown. It is three to five times more likely to occur in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The condition itself, however, has no signs or symptoms. Men are affected nearly twice as often as women and Caucasian men are at the top of the list.

Some individuals (less than one percent) with the condition can develop a rare but deadly type of esophageal cancer. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

April 22, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My husband and I started your “No Flour, No Sugar” diet several weeks ago after purchasing your first book. After just a few days of religiously following the diet, I discovered that the acid indigestion that had been plaguing me for a very long time had disappeared. I searched your book from cover to cover for an explanation but couldn’t find one. My husband noticed the same thing and doesn’t need to use antacids as long as he stays with the plan.

I can’t say that I am losing weight very quickly, but I certainly don’t miss the heartburn. I also feel a whole lot healthier than before. Perhaps others have noticed this unexpected (yet pleasant) side effect as well.

We now plan to purchase your cook book to add more variety to our stock of recipes. Thank you for such a wonderful and easy to follow diet.

DEAR READER:
Congratulations on starting (and sticking with) my diet. As you have noticed, weight will not drop as drastically as it does on fad/crash diets. This means your weight loss is much more healthful and requires you to work toward goals. Soon, this way of eating will be more a lifestyle choice than a diet.

As for your reduction in acid indigestion, I can only assume it is due to a more balanced diet and a reduction in processed, fatty foods. Most people believe that excess stomach acid, indigestion and heartburn are the result of spicy or acidic foods. In some cases, this is true, but for the most part, highly processed and/or fatty foods are the real culprit. I am sure most gastroenterologists would agree that simply cutting out excess fatty/greasy foods could “cure” the problem for many sufferers.

I hope you and your husband stick with my diet and continue to feel better and reach your weight goals.

To give you related information, I am sending you my newly updated Health Report “Hiatal Hernia, Acid Reflux and Indigestion”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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Daily Column

March 12, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 70-year-old male who does not smoke or drink alcohol. I am about 65 pounds overweight but am otherwise in relatively good health. However, I have what I believe is a gastrointestinal problem and hope you can help me.

For the last 15 or 20 years I start coughing or choking during or immediately after eating or drinking. Often I regurgitate what appears to be mucus and/or food. These spells can last for several minutes and sometimes occur when drinking water, brushing my teeth or simply rising from a reclined position.

I have seen several doctors and had numerous tests including stool analyses, blood tests, barium X-rays, a sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and an endoscopy. The only abnormal findings were a hiatal hernia and evidence that my stomach produces more than normal amounts of acid. Anti-acid medication does not provide any relief and upsets my stomach. I am willing to have the required surgery to correct the hiatal hernia but no one can assure me that it will solve my problem. I am also told there is a chance it can return.

I am at my wits end and don’t know what else to do.

DEAR READER:
Your symptoms certainly suggest the presence of a hiatal hernia. This simply means that your stomach, at times, protrudes through the diaphragm up into the esophagus. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the stomach, intestines, etc, from the lungs, heart, etc. It is also what causes hiccups. Often times a hiatal hernia does not cause symptoms but can be accompanied by excessive stomach acid and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD occurs when the stomach over produces acid that then backwashes into the esophagus causing indigestion. Some individuals also experience coughing as a symptom.

You appear to have exhausted the over-the-counter and prescription medications. You do not mention whether you have tried diet and lifestyle changes such as raising the head of your bed 3-4 inches. If not, I recommend you try this as well as eliminating high acid foods such as citrus fruit and tomatoes from your diet.

As a last resort you can try surgery. However, as you know, there is no assurance that this will work. I can tell you that for some it works wonderfully and for others it appears to have no affect. Which category you will fall into, however, will not be known until after the surgery and recovery period.

If this fails, perhaps an appointment with a neurologist is appropriate. There is a slim possibility that your problem stems from your body’s inability to transmit appropriate messages from your brain to the nerves and muscles that control swallowing. This is very unlikely but should be looked into if all else fails. Good luck and let me know how this turns out.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Hiatal Hernia, Acid Reflux and Indigestion”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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