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4 foods that ease heartburn

<p>Heartburn, acid reflux, GORD… whatever you want to call it, it’s not a pleasant thing to experience. Yet hundreds of thousands of us around the country suffer from heartburn each year. And while medication may be the solution for some, it’s not always the most effective option.</p> <p>So, you’ll be happy to learn that what you eat may ease your symptoms. Here are four of the best foods for heartburn.</p> <p><strong>1. Papaya</strong></p> <p>Papain, an enzyme found in papaya, has been proven to aid in digestion. In addition, the fibre content and proteolytic enzymes are a great source of short-chain fatty acids, which a recent study described as “the most important product of fermentation”, and an essential part of improving gut health.</p> <p><strong>2. Aloe vera juice</strong></p> <p>Aloe vera does much more than just ease sunburn or skin irritations – it’s been used to help ease constipation and treat type 2 diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders for centuries. “Its anti-inflammatory properties have been suggested to ease inflammation in the oesophagus caused by reflux,” Maria Bella, author of <em>The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Acid Reflux Diet</em>, tells <a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/g4536/best-foods-for-acid-reflux/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Good Housekeeping</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>3. Banana</strong></p> <p>Because of its low acidity, bananas are great for gastrointestinal discomfort, but they’re particularly good for heartburn as they can stick to the irritated oesophageal lining. “It forms a protective film that coats, protects and soothes,” digestive health expert Dr Gerard E. Mullin explains to <a href="http://www.prevention.com/food/foods-soothe-heartburn" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Prevention</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>4. Cinnamon gum</strong></p> <p>By producing saliva, gum helps neutralise stomach acid. “It also leads to more frequent swallowing, which can move the irritating acid down the oesophagus more quickly,” Maria Bella says. Mint can make your symptoms worse, however, so stick to cinnamon, which <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20924865" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">studies show</span></strong></a> may have anti-inflammatory properties.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

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8 surprising heartburn causes you need to take seriously

<p><strong>Yes, heartburn is common</strong></p> <p>At some point, you’ll probably feel the burn – heartburn, that is. Around one in five Australians experience regular reflux or heartburn. But although heartburn is common, it’s causes can be tricky to understand, experts say. Here’s what you need to know about heartburn.</p> <p><strong>It's on the rise</strong></p> <p>If it seems as if more people are dealing with heartburn, it’s because they are. “Heartburn has become extremely common, especially in recent years with a growing number of people who are obese,” says Dr Kristle Lynch, assistant professor of clinical medicine at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. One of the primary heartburn causes is obesity, which increases gastric pressure so that stomach contents flow back up into the oesophagus.</p> <p><strong>Do you have heartburn?</strong></p> <p>The term may sound self-explanatory, but you’ll know it’s happening to you if “you feel a burning midline chest pain or experience some liquid regurgitation (acid reflux),” says Dr Lynch.</p> <p><strong>When to see a doctor</strong></p> <p>Heartburn may be common, but it’s not something you can brush off. If you try over-the-counter medication (like OTC proton-pump inhibitors) and symptoms don’t improve, that’s not typical. “It may not be heartburn, or it’s heartburn that’s not responding to medication,” says Dr Lynch. Choking on food, vomiting and unexplained weight loss are also worrisome; talk to your doctor. If it’s severe and you suspect it may be a heart attack, head to the ER.</p> <p><strong>Why you should take it seriously</strong></p> <p>Yes, it’s easy to throw heartburn medication at the problem and wait to feel better. Some people just live with the pain, thinking this is something that just happens after eating. That’s unwise, says Dr Lynch: Over time, acid reflux causes damage to the lining of the oesophagus and can lead to Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition in which cells of the lining of the oesophagus develop abnormalities. “Barrett’s can eventually turn into oesophageal cancer. Though most patients will never develop cancer, it’s so scary and morbid that it’s a high concern,” says Dr Lynch.</p> <p><strong>Heartburn cause: Mint chewing gum</strong></p> <p>Although some research suggests that chewing sugar-free gum for a half-hour after a meal can decrease reflux, mint can have the opposite effect. In general, peppermint is a trigger for some people because it relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter, allowing juices to bubble back up. If you’re going to try the chewing-gum trick, start with a non-mint flavour.</p> <p><strong>Heartburn cause: High-fibre meals</strong></p> <p>You thought you were being healthy with your brown-rice bowl packed with broccoli and black beans, so why do you feel awful now? Although it’s a rarer trigger, “a high-fibre meal empties more slowly out of the stomach,” says Dr Lynch. And one of the more common heartburn causes is food that sits around longer in the digestive tract.</p> <p><strong>Heartburn cause: Tomato sauce</strong></p> <p>You’ve likely heard that acidic foods like tomato-based pasta sauce, tomato juice and raw tomatoes can be common heartburn causes for some people. But you may not have realised that bottle tomato sauce (ketchup) is also a potential culprit, says Dr Lynch. Even the smaller amounts that are typically eaten with a meal could be a problem.</p> <p><strong>Heartburn cause: Gravity</strong></p> <p>Or, rather, it’s the loss of gravity’s assistance when you lie down after you eat that is among the heartburn causes, according to Dr Lynch. Sitting up allows food and digestive juices to move the correct way; lie back and they can move upward, leading to heartburn. Try to finish your last meal two to three hours before bed.</p> <p><strong>Heartburn cause: Nighttime</strong></p> <p>It’s like a heartburn trifecta. Dinner is often the biggest meal of the day, and eating heavy loads of food slows digestion (trigger one). Then we lie down to go to sleep (trigger two). And people are generally more sensitive to pain at night (trigger three). “Everything is quiet, and you’re more aware of the sensation of pain,” says Dr Lynch. Big, late dinners are like three heartburn causes in one. What can help is eating smaller meals, finishing up eating a few hours before bed, and using a wedge pillow or risers for the head of your bed to keep gravity’s pull working for you while you snooze, she says.</p> <p><strong>Heartburn cause: Too tight belt</strong></p> <p>Anything that’s too tight – a bra, compression tights, belt – will put pressure on the stomach, encouraging the upward flow of stomach acid, says Dr Lynch. If you notice that symptoms increase when you’re wearing constricting clothing, it’s time to loosen up.</p> <p><strong>Heartburn cause: Old pants</strong></p> <p>Weight gain also increases this intra-abdominal pressure, but then there’s this double whammy: “Sometimes people will gain weight, but they don’t go up in pants size,” says Dr Lynch. The constriction only serves to exacerbate symptoms. Buying new pants is one way to find comfort. It’s also worth talking to your doctor about starting a weight-loss program.</p> <p><strong>Heartburn cause: Hiatal hernia</strong></p> <p>Obesity is one factor that can predispose people to a condition called a hiatal hernia, says Dr Lynch: Part of the stomach moves into the chest through the opening in the diaphragm, which can cause or worsen symptoms, Dr Lynch says. (The treatment for heartburn in patients with a hiatal hernia is the same – unless they’re showing signs of complications of reflux, like bleeding or ulcers, she adds.)</p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-d29fdd99-7fff-edf9-34c7-d7c3c05e66fd">Written by Jessica Migala. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/conditions/8-surprising-heartburn-causes-you-need-to-take-seriously" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></span></em></p>

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URGENT: Worldwide recall of common heartburn drug over cancer fears

<p>A popular medicine for heartburn and stomach ulcers known as Zantac has been urgently recalled in all markets over fears that it’s contaminated with a chemical that’s linked to cancer.</p> <p>The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) at the UK’s Department of Health has sent an alert to healthcare professionals, calling for all unexpired stocks of four types of Zantac to be returned. These four types are made by GlaxoSmithKline.</p> <p>The recall is due to the possible contamination of ranitidine, which is the active substance in the medication that reduces stomach acid levels. There is an impurity that is linked to the development of certain cancers.</p> <p>Traces of the impurity known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) are found in some food and water supplies, but can be dangerous at higher concentrations.</p> <p>The four affected products, which are all prescription-only medicine are:</p> <ul> <li>Zantac 150mg/10ml Syrup,</li> <li>Zantac 50mg/2ml Injection</li> <li>Zantac 150mg Tablets</li> <li>Zantac 300mg Tablets<span> </span><span> </span> </li> </ul> <p>Doctors have been told to stop supplying the product immediately and to return all remaining stock to their supplier, according to <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/zantac-cancer-ranitidine-recall-heartburn-drug-prescription-gsk-health-a9148401.html" target="_blank">The Independent</a>.</em></p> <p>It’s important to note that over-the-counter products that also bear the Zantac name are made by a different company and therefore are unaffected.</p> <p>Dr Andrew Gray, MHRA deputy director of inspections, enforcement and standards, said: “Whilst this action is precautionary, the MHRA takes patient safety very seriously.</p> <p>“Patients should keep taking their current medicines but should speak to their doctor or pharmacist if they are concerned and should seek their doctor’s advice before stopping any prescribed medicines.”</p> <p>He added: “Currently, there is no evidence that medicines containing nitrosamines have caused any harm to patients, but the agency is closely monitoring the situation, and working with other regulatory agencies around the world.”</p>

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Why you're tripling the risk of developing a deadly disease if you take these heartburn tablets

<p>A new study has found that popular heartburn pills can triple the risk of potentially deadly infections.</p> <p>The research found that patients on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were more likely to fall ill with deadly bugs, including E. coli.</p> <p>Researchers believe the drugs could be allowing harmful organisms to spread by reducing levels of the stomach acid that normally kills them.</p> <p>The drugs, including brands like Zanprol, Prevacid and Prilosec, are prescribed to an estimated 55 million patients in England alone.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 305.993690851735px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821146/1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/11eb887af851492099913bbf604cd8e1" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;">The tablets work by reducing the production of acid by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid.</p> <p>Microbiologists at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust studied 126 hospital patients sick with drug resistant bugs called ESBL-enterobacteriae.</p> <p>These bugs, such as E.coli, occur naturally in the bowel where they do no harm. However, if they escape to other parts of the body they can become life-threatening.</p> <p>The reports of ESBL-bugs are increasing and don’t respond to commonly-used antibiotics like penicillin.</p> <p>Patients in the study were asked if they had taken heartburn medicines in the past six months.</p> <p>The study, published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, found infected patients were three times more like to have taken PPIs than a group of healthy volunteers.</p> <p>In a report the scientists explained: “PPIs are widely overprescribed and heavily promoted by the pharmaceutical industry.”</p> <p>“This is the first time this risk factor has been identified in a UK hospital population, and the magnitude is greater than in previous community-based studies.</p> <p>“Reducing inappropriate use of PPIs may reduce transmission.”</p> <p>Several studies in recent years have linked over-use of PPIs with stomach cancer, stroke and even reduced sperm count in men.</p> <p>Despite PPIs only being prescribed for normally four weeks, it’s feared that millions stay on the tablets for years.</p> <p>Research shows 25 per cent of patients are still on them after a year and four per cent continue on the pills after five years.</p> <p>Less than half of those who remain on the tablets long-term are advised by doctors to try to come off them.</p> <p>Do you take heartburn tablets on a regular basis? Tell us in the comments below. </p> <p> </p>

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How safe are heartburn medications?

<p><em><strong>Dr Vincent Ho is a lecturer and clinical academic gastroenterologist at Western Sydney University.</strong></em></p> <p>Many people suffer regularly from heartburn – a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up the food pipe (oesophagus) after eating. This causes inflammation and irritation of the lower oesophagus, and also ulcers. The most commonly prescribed medications to treat what is known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, are “proton pump inhibitors”.</p> <p>Proton pump inhibitors (known in Australia by names such as Nexium, Pariet, Losec, Somac and Zoton) work by preventing key pumps in the cells of the stomach that produce stomach acid from working. In stopping the production of stomach acid they help to reduce the inflammation and heal ulcers caused by the stomach acid.</p> <p>Often people on these medications will take them for years. But recent reports of dangerous side effects and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/6/e015735" target="_blank">even early death</a></strong></span> have led some to question whether this is the right medication for them.</p> <p><strong>How effective are heartburn medications?</strong></p> <p>The treatment of reflux disease is the most common reason proton pump inhibitors are prescribed. Reflux disease can be broadly classified into two types, once your stomach and oesophagus have been examined with a thin, flexible camera (<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2012/391631/" target="_blank">gastroscopy</a></strong></span>).</p> <p>The first type is oesophagitis where there are clear erosions or swelling in the lower oesophagus indicative of acid damage. The other is non-erosive reflux disease, where there is no visible damage in the lower oesophagus from acid, but the patient still experiences reflux symptoms such as heartburn.</p> <p>A study found these drugs were very effective for treating reflux disease, with eight weeks of therapy with standard (once daily) dosing healing acid damage in <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003244.pub2/abstract;jsessionid=9BE0E698905FE22344278844E373F08C.f03t02" target="_blank">more than 80 per cent of patients</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>Even for the non-erosive type of the disease, heartburn medication can be beneficial. An <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/srep32126" target="_blank">analysis of studies in this area</a></strong></span> found all of the different proton pump inhibitors at a dose of more than 5mg daily were effective in significantly improving symptoms in non-erosive reflux disease.</p> <p>These drugs are also good at healing stomach ulcers. For patients on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, proton pump inhibitors <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2643037" target="_blank">have been shown to be more effective</a></strong></span> than other drugs in healing stomach ulcers.</p> <p><strong>How safe are they?</strong></p> <p>A <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/6/e015735" target="_blank">recent study</a></strong></span> followed 350,000 US veterans for more than five years and found a small increased risk of early death in those taking this kind of medication.</p> <p>The study was well designed but could not completely eliminate other medical factors that could potentially be occurring in the study subjects. The risk of death was noted to increase the longer patients used proton pump inhibitors.</p> <p>The relative risk for death was high when comparing two groups (those on the proton pump inhibitor versus those on a different medication) against each other. However the actual or absolute risk increase for death (0.2 per cent per year) was small in the study.</p> <p>This means, overall, there are more benefits to being on a proton pump inhibitor to heal severe reflux damage, heal a bleeding gastric ulcer or to prevent oesophageal cancer in the presence of other conditions (Barrett’s oesophagus is a precancerous condition caused by long-term acid damage) than not being on the medication.</p> <p>But the authors acknowledge the need to be careful about long-term use of proton pump inhibitors and to make sure they are indeed prescribed for a proper medical reason.</p> <p>This study was just one of many safety concerns relating to long-term use of these drugs. But the majority of available data on safety are derived from studies that look at past data and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/199672" target="_blank">don’t fully take into account</a></strong></span> other medical conditions the study subjects might’ve had, or <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21318590" target="_blank">prove that the medications</a></strong></span> actually caused any negative reported side <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3090435/" target="_blank">effects</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>There is <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-017-0804-x" target="_blank">strong evidence</a></strong></span> proton pump inhibitors cause fundic gland polyps that are common benign lumps at the top part of the stomach. These are not dangerous. Proton pump inhibitor use can also lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. This is unlikely to affect your health provided the detected low vitamin B12 levels are corrected.</p> <p>The development of a kidney injury called “acute interstitial nephritis” is also significantly linked to use of these <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3741979/" target="_blank">drugs</a></strong></span> but fortunately this is a very rare event. This condition very often improves once the drugs are stopped early.</p> <p>There are reported adverse events that are weakly associated with the drug, although a review by international experts found the drug is a likely <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-016-0718-z" target="_blank">cause</a></strong></span>. These include bacterial overgrowth in the bowel, an infection of abdominal fluid (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) in patients with liver cirrhosis, an infection from an organism called <em>Clostridium difficile</em>, iron deficiency and magnesium deficiency.</p> <p>There are a number of reported adverse events with weak associations that are currently unproven to be caused by these drugs. These include bone fractures, chronic kidney disease, dementia, myocardial infarction (a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle) and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.nature.com/nrgastro/journal/v13/n5/full/nrgastro.2016.44.html" target="_blank">pneumonia</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>When the long-term safety of proton pump inhibitors was <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/apt.13194/full" target="_blank">compared to anti-reflux surgery in randomised trials</a></strong></span>, there was no difference in negative side effects (however survival itself wasn’t examined). Further well-designed clinical trials are underway to help provide more of a definitive answer on the issue of safety.</p> <p><strong>So how should they be used?</strong></p> <p>Proton pump inhibitors are widely prescribed drugs and in many countries are available over the counter. Evidence suggests that up to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2174763/" target="_blank">70 per cent of use may be inappropriate</a></strong></span>. Medically appropriate reasons for taking these drugs long-term include Barrett’s oesophagus, severe oesophagitis and in cases where there is a high risk of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.primaryhealthtas.com.au/sites/default/files/A%20Guide%20to%20Deprescribing%20Proton%20Pump%20Inhibitors.pdf" target="_blank">gastrointestinal bleeding</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>Once these drugs are prescribed they’re rarely deprescribed. Patients can remain on them for many years, often without the initial medical reason for prescribing being revisited.</p> <p>Proton pump inhibitors should only be taken when medically appropriate, and for as short a time as possible. In the case of non-erosive reflux disease, dosages <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(01)38032-0/fulltext" target="_blank">can be successfully reduced</a></strong></span> and even withdrawn in the majority of patients over time. When the drug is stopped, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.primaryhealthtas.com.au/sites/default/files/A%20Guide%20to%20Deprescribing%20Proton%20Pump%20Inhibitors.pdf" target="_blank">recurrence of symptoms</a></strong></span> should be monitored.</p> <p>If ongoing use of a proton pump inhibitor is required in reflux disease for symptom relief then it should be used at the lowest dose or as required. But overall, the benefits of proton pump inhibitors outweigh the potential risks in most patients that have a relevant and appropriate medical need.</p> <p><em>Written by Vincent Ho. Republished with permission of <a href="http://theconversation.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Conversation</span></strong></a>. </em><img width="1" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/80809/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation"/></p>

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New research finds common medication linked to doubling risk of stomach cancer

<p>New research has uncovered a link between prescription heartburn medication and stomach cancer.</p> <p>Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to suppress acid production in the stomach and are one of the most widely sold drugs in the world. </p> <p>But a new Hong Kong study has found that long-term use of the medicine can increase stomach cancer by almost 250 per cent.</p> <p>The risks are associated with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, carried by more than half of the world’s population. It is often harmless but in a small percentage of people, the bug has been linked to the development of stomach cancer.</p> <p>The latest study involved more than 63,000 adults and looked at long-term use of PPI's after patients were treated for H.pylori infection.</p> <p>The study, published in the medical journal Gut, found that the stomach cancer risk was higher in people who had used the tablets more often and for longer.</p> <p>There was also an eight-fold increased risk among those who used PPI's for three years or more.</p> <p>Associate Professor Richard Ferrero says this is the first study of its size and the study is particularly important due to the elimination of several important factors, including an existing H.pylori infection.</p> <p>However, the study was focused on Chinese participants and may not be generalised to other ethnic groups.</p> <p>People of Asian descent have a higher risk of stomach cancer than western countries.</p> <p>However, considering the evidence that the drug is overused, the study is a reminder for people to check their need for taking the drug.</p> <p>"The broader message that's really relevant to the many proplr who are taking proton pump inhibitors is that these medicines like all medicines do have potential serious side-effects, so there should always be a good reason to be on the medicine," Dr Jeannie Yoo, from NPS MedicineWise said.</p> <p>"You shouldn't be taking it any higher dose or for longer than you need and if you're not sure if you need to be on the medicines you're on at the moment, this is a good reminder to have a conversation with your GP or your specialist," Dr Yoo said.</p> <p> </p>

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These common drugs may lead to early death

<p>If you rely on medication to manage your heartburn and acid reflux, we’ve got bad news. <a rel="noopener" href="http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/6/e015735" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A new study</span></strong></a> of more than six million people has found a link between the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and an increased risk of early death.</p> <p>Health data from six million people was tracked for about six years (until 2013 or death, whichever came first). It was found that, when compared to participants who used H2 blockers (another class of heartburn medications), those who took PPIs experienced a 25 per cent increased risk of early death. This risk grew the longer the PPIs were taken.</p> <p>These drugs have previously been linked to higher rates of chronic kidney disease, dementia, C difficile infections and bone fractures in people affected by brittle bone disease, the <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/07/04/heartburn-and-acid-reflux-drugs-may-increase-risk-of-early-death_a_23015248/?utm_hp_ref=au-homepage" target="_blank"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Huffington Post</span></em></strong></a> reports.</p> <p>“Although our results should not deter prescription and use of PPIs where medically indicated,” researchers write, “they may be used to encourage and promote pharmacovigilance [monitoring the side-effects of licensed drugs] and [they] emphasise the need to exercise judicious use of PPIs and limit use and duration of therapy to instances where there is a clear medical indication and where benefit outweighs potential risk.”</p> <p>If you have any concerns about these new findings, speak to your GP about alternatives.</p>

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10 surprising symptoms of acid reflux

<p>When your mind turns to the topic of acid reflux, the first thing you probably think about is that terrible feeling in your chest known as heartburn. But that’s just one of the uncomfortable symptoms caused by this condition.</p> <p>Research from the American Gastroenterological Association has uncovered a range of additional symptoms commonly attributed to other conditions, which suggests many people are suffering from acid reflux without realising.</p> <p>Dr Jamie Koufman, founder of The Voice Institute of New York and author of Dr Koufman's Acid Reflux Diet, says acid reflux can also manifest itself into more harmful conditions.</p> <p>Dr Koufman said, "We believe that lung cancer, throat cancer and esophageal cancer are all caused by reflux When people have reflux, particularly at night, it sits in a polyp and leaks into the nose, throat and sinuses.</p> <p>“The mucus membranes not only get swollen and irritated, but they put out more mucus. We're talking bad lungs, bad sinuses, bad throats and bad voices — that's a lot of stuff."</p> <p><strong>Here are 10 surprising acid reflux symptoms:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Shortness of breath</li> <li>Hoarseness</li> <li>Vocal fatigue</li> <li>Chronic throat clearing</li> <li>Excessive throat mucus</li> <li>Postnasal drip</li> <li>Difficulty swallowing</li> <li>Nasal congestion</li> <li>Noisy breathing</li> <li>Snoring</li> <li>Choking episodes</li> </ul> <p>If you’re experiencing these symptoms you may be suffering from acid reflux, but Dr Koufman says it is reversible by moderating your diet and staying upright. </p>

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This time it wasn’t heartburn or indigestion, it was a heart attack

<p><em><strong>Colleen Jones, 61, is retired from work, not of life, and is passionate about making jewellery.</strong></em> </p> <p>The dreaded heartburn – or should I say the dreaded monster, at times that is what it's like. I take Pariet to help combat it, seven out of 10 times it works, the other times not. It varies in what foods set it off, toast for one, not all the time, just sometimes; some spicy foods of course, worse thing for heartburn. Wine is also one of the worst to set it off. I used to love hot milo, now just another no-no. Chocolate too! But since taking the pariet, I can have so much of it without it upsetting me.</p> <p>I love my coffee, if I have already got heartburn, coffee can aggravate it more. Then there is that type of heartburn, you know the one where it’s like hot air travelling from your stomach up to your throat? Other times it can be that bad I feel lethargic with it, just rundown and very unwell. I am so used to having heartburn or indigestion, indigestion to me is like a knot or the feeling of swallowing a tablet and it's got stuck halfway up the windpipe. That can just be annoying more than anything and just not go away until after a sleep. </p> <p>This almost stopped me ringing the ambulance when I had my heart attack.</p> <p>My heart attack was just like something was stuck, like a tablet in the middle of my chest, this one being stronger than I had had before. I was ironing my work clothes, before going to work, when this happened. Next thing both my arms were aching and felt heavy like lead, almost stiff with it. I actually stopped ironing and decided to have a bit of a lie down. I felt worse lying down, the tablet feeling in the middle of my chest was going into my back and really strongly.</p> <p>I just sensed this was not normal. I knew I had to wake my son up, luckily he was home. My other half was at work. I woke my son and told him I was in pain and I think I need to go to the hospital. He just looked at me and jumped out of bed. I must have looked a sight! We headed for the phone. Here I was more worried about ringing work than ringing the ambulance. Trying to ring work and doing it in panic mode, makes one say wrong things. I ended up just saying, “Hi I'm in pain and going to the hospital.” Or something like that. I was talking to an answering machine, which made matters worse.</p> <p>Anyway my son rushed me off to call the ambulance. After doing that, I sat down and waited for them. My son who was so calm, put the dogs outside, gave me a drink of water and just kept me calm until the ambulance came.</p> <p>Yes, I was having a heart attack, this time it was not heartburn or indigestion. </p> <p><em><strong>If you have a story you’d like to share email <a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au">melody@oversixty.com.au</a></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/body/2016/07/natural-remedies-for-acid-reflux/">5 natural remedies for acid reflux</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/body/2016/05/foods-to-eat-to-beat-bloating/">10 foods to eat to beat bloating</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/body/2016/03/signs-you-might-have-a-heart-attack/">6 signs you could be at risk of a heart attack</a></strong></em></span><em><a href="/health/body/2016/05/benefits-of-low-carb-lifestyle/"> </a></em></p>

Body

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5 natural remedies for acid reflux

<p>There’s nothing pleasant about heartburn! Usually characterised by an unmistakable burning sensation behind the breastbone that often travels upwards into the throat, its primary cause is acid reflux. This occurs when the ring of muscle that allows food into your stomach relaxes when it shouldn’t, resulting in acid travelling back up your oesophagus.</p> <p>It’s possible to have reflux without heartburn, but you can’t have heartburn without reflux. While there are plenty of over the counter and prescription medications available to help manage the symptoms of heartburn there are also a number of home remedies and lifestyle changes than can be highly effective. Try one of the following next time reflux strikes.</p> <p><strong>1. A spoonful of baking soda</strong></p> <p>A teaspoon of sodium bicarb mixed into a glass of water can help soothe the burning sensation of heartburn caused by reflux. Baking soda is what’s known as a base substance. It has a pH higher than 7.0, which means it neutralises stomach acid.</p> <p><strong>2. Chewing gum</strong></p> <p>The <em>Journal of Dental Research</em> conducted a study that showed that people with symptoms of chronic heartburn actually experienced relief when they chewed a piece of sugar free gum for 30 min after a meal. They attributed this to the stimulation of the salivary glands, which in turn dilutes the acid that may have built up in the gut.</p> <p><strong>3. Eat a banana or an apple</strong></p> <p>Both bananas and apples contain natural antacids that can help soothe acid reflux. Try eating your preferred fruit a few hours before bedtime to relieve or prevent discomfort.</p> <p><strong>4. Snack on almonds</strong></p> <p>While the research isn’t exactly clear on why almonds help neutralise the juices in your stomach, the results show that they do just that. Adding a handful of almonds after every snack can help soothe your stomach and prevent the burning sensation.</p> <p><strong>5. Chamomile tea</strong></p> <p>The perfect night-time cuppa for relaxation, chamomile is also excellent for reducing inflammation and balancing out acidity levels in your stomach. Brew yourself a cup an hour or so before heading to bed.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/body/2016/05/foods-to-eat-to-beat-bloating/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">10 foods to eat to beat bloating</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/health/body/2016/05/benefits-of-low-carb-lifestyle/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">8 benefits of a low carb lifestyle</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/foods-that-will-soothe-a-headache/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 foods that will soothe a headache</span></em></strong></a></p>

Body

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10 home remedies for heartburn

<p>If you dread the end of a meal due to heartburn or acid reflux, you’re not alone. But it’s not just the discomfort that is the issue – severe cases can lead to further issues such as esophageal cancer.</p> <p>If you are finding that medication isn’t working for you, try some of these simple home remedies for some relief.</p> <p><strong>Licorice</strong></p> <p>Eat a small amount of plain black licorice to help relieve symptoms of heartburn. Licorice can help with many digestive system issues such as stomach ulcers.</p> <p><strong>Aloe vera juice</strong></p> <p>Visit your local health food store where you can purchase aloe vera juice to keep in the fridge at home. The natural healing properties of aloe vera can offer some soothing relief.</p> <p><strong>Sitting up</strong></p> <p>It’s very natural to lay down after a big meal, but this can actually make your heartburn symptoms worse. Give yourself a few hours to digest your meal before getting horizontal. It may help to eat dinner earlier so that you have enough time to digest before bed.</p> <p><strong>Baking soda</strong></p> <p>Mix a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water, and drink to relieve heartburn pain. Use this method sparingly as it can cause a stomach upset if used too much.</p> <p><strong>Chewing gum</strong></p> <p>When you chew gum, you swallow more often which helps to keep reflux symptoms at bay.</p> <p><strong>Avoid exercise</strong></p> <p>Don’t get your heart rate up too much after eating either, as exercise can lead to heartburn.</p> <p><strong>Adjust your bed</strong></p> <p>Pop a couple of books under the legs of the top of your bed so that your head and shoulders are higher than your feet. This can help alleviate heartburn and reflux.</p> <p><strong>Ginger</strong></p> <p>A natural anti-inflammatory, ginger is often used as a way to treat gastrointestinal issues. Try it in your cooking, or make yourself a cup of ginger tea after eating.</p> <p><strong>Find triggers</strong></p> <p>Some people know what causes their heartburn (such as caffeine, wine, chilli or citrus), so this can be an easy way to avoid the pain starting in the first place. You could also try keeping a food diary to see if you can pinpoint what is causing your discomfort.</p> <p><strong>Get comfortable</strong></p> <p>Try to avoid clothing that is too tight or uncomfortable, as this can exacerbate your heartburn.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/caring/2015/12/grandmother-retires-after-52-years-walking-kids-to-school/">Grandmother retires after 52 years walking kids to school</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/caring/2015/12/9-year-old-raises-money-for-sick-kids/">9-year-old raises $100,000 for sick kids</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/caring/2015/12/twins-meet-at-birth/">Wonderful moment newborn twins meet for the first time</a></strong></em></span></p>

Caring

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Tips to help you avoid heartburn

<p>If you suffer from chronic heartburn, it can be associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition can affect your whole life, and if you’re diagnosed with GERD, your doctor may advise you to stop eating certain foods. Here are five other things you should avoid in order to avoid heartburn.</p> <p><strong>Don’t eat too quickly</strong></p> <p>If we eat too fast, our digestive system can’t keep up and is unable to perform as it should. Try taking smaller bites, counting to 20 between bites, or laying down your cutlery between bites.</p> <p><strong>Don’t overeat</strong></p> <p>Our stomachs expand when we eat large meals. This expansion increases the upward pressure against the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), which can lead to heartburn. Try to eat six smaller meals a day instead of three larger ones. Or small snacks between three smaller meals. You’ll avoid your stomach becoming too full, and help stop excessive production of stomach acid.</p> <p><strong>Don’t go to bed with a full stomach</strong></p> <p>Lying down with a full stomach can cause the contents of your stomach to press harder against the LES, which, as with overeating, can cause heartburn. Try to wait a few hours after eating before you go to bed.</p> <p><strong>Don’t lay flat</strong></p> <p>If you lie flat in bed, the stomach will press against the LES. If your head is higher than your stomach, gravity is on your side, helping to reduce this pressure. Try sleeping with a wedge-shaped pillow, or place something sturdy under the legs at the head of your bed.</p> <p><strong>Don’t wear tight clothes</strong></p> <p>Clothing that fits snugly around your abdomen can squeeze your stomach. Avoid cinching belts or tight waistbands.</p>

Mind