Monday, May 08, 2017 by: Tracey Watson Tags: acid reflux, antacids, Barrett's Esophagus, esophageal cancer, H2 blockers, heartburn, natural Reposted as Facebook censored link: Monday, May 08, 2017 by: Tracey Watson Tags: acid reflux, antacids, Barrett's Esophagus, esophageal cancer, H2 blockers, heartburn, natural remedies, OTC medications, PPIs, prevention, side effects (Natural News) Acid reflux affects most people at one time or another. Rethink Health reports that 60 million adults in the U.S. experience it at least once a month, while 25 million suffer with it on a daily basis. A study published in the journal Gastroenterology back in 2009, found that acid reflux is the single most common gastrointestinal reason for visiting the GP outside of the hospital, with 9 million such visits taking place in that year alone. For many, the solution seems simple: Just use an over-the-counter medication to deal with the acid and resolve the problem. What most people don’t realize is that though they may no longer feel the symptoms after taking an OTC medication, the problem is still there, and left untreated, can lead to a serious condition called Barrett’s Esophagus, in which all that stomach acid eventually damages the lining of the esophagus. In turn, this condition can eventually result in esophageal cancer. As reported by The Baltimore Sun, a group called the Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN), which is based in Baltimore, is calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to add warning labels to OTC medications like Nexium, Prilosec, Omeprazole, Prevacid, Dexilant, Aciphex and Protonix. The group wants people to be made fully aware that using such medications, while providing relief from the symptoms of acid reflux, does not reduce the cancer risk, and that people with a persistent problem need to visit the doctor. Michelle Meixell, a spokesperson for the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, which developed both Nexium and Prilosec, issued the following emailed statement when approached for comment: “AstraZeneca is confident in the safety and efficacy of Nexium when used in accordance with the FDA approved label, which has been established through numerous clinical trials.” Many would say that her statement managed to avoid addressing the issue entirely, which is fairly typical of Big Pharma. Other pharmaceutical companies and their representative agencies did not even respond to the Sun’s requests for comments. It is important to note that in addition to masking the symptoms of acid reflux, thereby making people complacent about the risk of esophageal cancer, these medications also carry many other side effects, including:
While surgical intervention may be required to address the problem of persistent acid reflux, for many people, simple lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce or even eliminate it altogether. These include:
Sources: BaltimoreSun.com RethinkHealth.us Health.USNews.com HealthLine.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com http://www.naturalnews.com/2017-05-08-baltimore-group-pushes-fda-to-issue-cancer-warning-labels-on-acid-reflux-drugs.html Re-posted as Facebook refused to allow link to be shared:
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