Acid Reflux :: PPI's (Proton Pump Inhibitors) And Your Body

There are many published studies that describe the various side effects associated with the H2 antagonist (PPI) products. When the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notifies doctors about the side effects, of PPIs, why would you put yourself at risk by taking them?

If a person goes to a Gastroenterologist with esophageal reflux (GERD), virtually every GI doctor will automatically prescribe a PPI, without doing any kind of testing. After taking the PPI for a while, the Gastroenterologist may refer you to a doctor that will perform an endoscopy or colonoscopy. These procedures, are not accurate enough to diagnose Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid), Hypochlorhydria (high stomach acid), or Normal stomach acid. In either case, the patient will be prescribed more PPIs. Some doctors will do testing that involves surgically attaching a device to the wall of your esophagus. The device will remain attached to your esophagus for 24 hours, while the pH of the esophageal fluid is being monitored, by a recorder that you wear. At the end of this test the doctor, will tell you something you already knew!!! "YOU HAVE REFLUX" Worst case scenario, the patient may undergo exploratory surgery, which may result in "unnecessary organs" being removed.

Gastroenterologist and many other medical specialty doctors automatically assume that patients with Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) are over producing Hydrochloric acid (HCL). Unfortunately in many instances this assumption is wrong. The symptoms associated with excess acid production (hyperchlorhydria) and low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) are identical, making it very difficult to diagnose, without a pH diagnostic test. Both conditions will cause reflux, belching, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and/or constipation, flatulence, etc.

Before taking any type of PPI or acid reducing medication, have your doctor give you a pH Diagnostic test, or Gastrogram. It will tell the doctor exactly what is going on in your digestive process. The test is accurate, and reliable without the discomfort associated with other procedures. It is done in the doctor's office, without the use of sedation. If you are actually over producing stomach acid, a natural medication, similar to the buffering enzyme that is produced by the pancreas, is available. If you are not producing enough stomach, a natural medication is also available to bring pH back into balance.

When it comes to your health and longevity, a pH diagnostic test, pH capsule test, or pH Gastrogram is one of the best investments you will ever make.