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: , , , , , , ,

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: , , ,

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...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , ,

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...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: ,

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...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , ,

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...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , ,

Daily Column

September 23, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 54-year-old female. One year ago I had a DEXA scan which showed severe osteopenia. I have GERD and a hiatal hernia and cannot take biphosphonate pills so my doctor put me on Boniva IV.

My question however, doesn’t have to do with the medication. Just before having the DEXA scan, I noticed several enlarged bones in my right foot and ankle. I was tested for Paget’s disease but the results were negative. At my last physical exam, my doctor noticed that my left shoulder blade had enlarged. I have seen several doctors and none can tell me what is causing my bones to enlarge. Do you have any ideas?

DEAR READER:
Because you do not say what type of testing you have had and what types of doctors you have seen I can only give you general suggestions. If these are repeats of what has been done or said, I apologize. [Read more...]

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

Daily Column

August 5, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My doctor is treating me with Prevacid for acid reflux but I feel no heartburn at all. I just cough up phlegm. Do you have a better idea?

DEAR READER:
There are numerous ways of dealing with this condition. You can place blocks under the legs at the head of your bed; modify your diet to avoid spicy foods that trigger an attack; or take an over-the-counter medication such as Prilosec or TUMS.

Perhaps as a first step, the blocks, coupled with the Prevacid you are presently taking, will reduce or eliminate the phlegm. If not and you remain dissatisfied, speak with your pharmacist for a suggestion on the best remedy he carries. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: ,

Daily Column

June 11, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 34-year-old male and, to my knowledge, am healthy. I have smoked for 18 years. My problem now is I feel sick to my stomach and vomit every morning when I get up. This has been going on for eight years and my doctor can’t find anything wrong with me.

I have had a scope and upper GI done, both of which were normal. I have a known hiatal hernia and ulcer. I’ve been on Prevacid 30 mg daily for acid reflux disease that seems to help sometimes, but not always. Maybe you can help me figure out what is wrong and why I feel this way.

DEAR READER:
Let me start by saying that your scope and upper GI could not have been normal if you have an ulcer and a hiatal hernia.

Hiatal hernia refers to a defect in the middle of the [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , ,

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.

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , ,
« Older Posts