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. It is certainly novel, not to mention tasty, but if it works, it could also save a fair amount of money (which is important in these ever-worsening economic times). Bananas are much cheaper and healthful than are medications.

Thanks for sharing and I will be sure to print a follow-up in the future when I have received plenty of responses.

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.

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. Long-term treatment can include the use of additional medications and determining possible underlying health conditions.

Testing by a physician for diagnosis might include the coordination of a barium swallow, esophageal motility test, esophageal computed tomography (CT) scanning, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The procedures range from swallowing barium while awake followed by an X-ray technique to having a tube inserted through the mouth and throat while under sedation. Your physician or gastroenterologist is your best resource to determine which procedure is appropriate to determine if any blockages are present and reach a diagnosis.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Hiatal Hernia, Acid Reflux & 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.

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, I cannot be sure if this may be the cause of your problem. Nexium, Forteo and metoclopramide do not list this as a side effect.

Since you have osteoporosis, taking a calcium plus D supplement is recommended. You should be taking 1200-1500 mg of calcium and 400-600 IU of vitamin D daily. Vitamin D can be harmful but only when taken in extremely high amounts, usually over an extended period of time (months or even years), before symptoms are seen.

I believe your gastroenterologist’s referral to an ear-nose-and-throat physician is appropriate. He or she can order testing to determine if there is some correctable abnormality causing the taste perversion.

I would also like to add that metoclopramide is listed for short-term use only in patients who do not respond to conventional GERD treatment (such as Nexium). I could not find a time-frame but this may be something to discuss with your primary care physician or gastroenterologist.

Forteo also has a restricted time-frame for usage. Because of the potential for increased risk of developing a malignant form of bone cancer, the drug has received a black box warning. It should only be used as a last resort for resistant osteoporosis or for individuals who cannot tolerate other medications such as Fosamax and Boniva. Even in this instance, it is not to be taken for more than two years because the risk of side effects increases.

If you are taking the Forteo because of adverse effects from more traditional osteoporosis medication (namely, gastrointestinal upset), I suggest your return to your primary care physician or endocrinologist and ask about the possibility of using the newest form of Boniva which is available as an IV drip. Another option may be the once yearly Reclast injection. Injectable forms of these medications reduce or eliminate the risk of stomach upset and other gastrointestinal side effects.

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

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.

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. The type of cancer associated with Barrett’s esophagus (esophageal adenocarcinoma) is difficult to treat because it is often not found until in the late stages. For this reason, regular examinations, endoscopies and biopsies are necessary. Biopsies can often show precancerous changes which allow for treatment that may prevent further change in the tissue.

Without symptoms, many physicians recommend adults age 40 and older who have had GERD for a number of years undergo endoscopy and biopsy. These are the only tests available for the diagnosis of the condition.

There are a few treatments available for mild to moderate precancerous changes. Photodynamic therapy uses a light-sensitizing agent and a laser to kill the abnormal cells. Endoscopic Mucosal Resection involves lifting the Barrett’s lining and then cutting it off. On occasion, both procedures are performed together. A final option is surgical removal of most of the esophagus. This is only done on individuals with major precancerous changes or full-blown esophageal cancer.

I urge you to return to your gastroenterologist for an explanation of the disorder. He or she is your best resource for information and is the most familiar with your individual case.

If you would like to learn more about Barrett’s esophagus, I recommend you go to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse’s website http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/barretts or request information by writing to them at 2 Information Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3576 or by phoning 1-800-891-5389.

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.

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.

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.