One natural method of controlling heartburn in Georgia is to eat apples. Apples, especially sweet varieties, work to counteract the acid in the stomach. It may take testing a few varieties of apples to find the ones that work the best for you. Delicious and Braeburn apples are said to be among the most effective.

When you eat your apples is also important. You should eat half an apple after each meal to prevent heartburn from occurring at these times. Also, you should have a whole apple as a snack in the middle of the afternoon. Finally, if you have trouble with acid reflux after you’ve gone to bed, have half an apple before turning in for the night.

Along with your apples, you should have a teaspoon of honey or black strap molasses. You can put the syrupy addition directly on your apple, eat it directly or add it to apple juice. Both honey and black strap molasses add to the alkalinity of the apple and help to further neutralize stomach acid.

When you’ve eaten enough half apples to last a lifetime, switch things up by having apple juice. Add your honey or molasses to the juice for added effectiveness.

Eating apples is a good way to reduce the symptoms of heartburn in Georgia, but it is not a cure. If you stop eating them, the reflux can return at any time.

GERD causes increased esophageal inflammation and irritation. Acid indigestion worsening when you eat, bend or lie down, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation of stomach fluids, and late-night upper abdominal or chest tightness are a few indications of GERD. Left untreated, the disease may lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition. Changing your eating habits, however, may not be enough to eliminate its symptoms. Why?

Some sufferers unknowingly aggravate their problems by taking medications that stimulate stomach acid production or relax the esophageal sphincter. Doctors prescribe these medications to treat other unrelated disorders. They include:

• Anticholerginics for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Opiate-based painkillers, including codeine
• Many tranquilizers, including Valium and Restoril
• Calcium channel blockers for lowering blood pressure
• Progesterone, a female hormone
• Quinidine, a heart rhythm regulator
• Some antibiotics, including tetracycline and doxycycline
• Biphosphonate osteoporosis medications, including Fosamax, Boniva and Actonel
• Albuterol and theophylline. These asthma medications relax the esophageal sphincter.

Prescription meds aren’t the only culprits when it comes to worsening symptoms. People regularly taking aspirin, ibuprofen, marketed as Motrin, Nupril or Advil, and naproxen, marketed as Aleve, may notice an increase in their symptoms. Iron and potassium supplements potentially aggravate gastroesophageal reflux disease.

If what you think are symptoms of GERD worsen after you take medication, consult your doctor right away.

One study conducted by South Korean researchers included an analysis of 31 studies from across the globe and suggested that sufferers of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) who took the two forms of medication in question were 25% more likely to develop pneumonia. Other studies revealed that a high percentage of those who contracted pneumonia were in the hospital setting and more prone to the illness due to their location. Statistics reveal that hospital patients are more prone to pneumonia.

Risks over all were minimal, equating to about 25 cases for every 1,000 GERD patients taking the medications. Researchers also suggest that it is not clear from the studies that the medications are solely to blame as those with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) could be more prone to pneumonia due to acid backup getting sucked into airways.

GERD sufferers should be aware of the potential negative effects of drugs they are taking and consult with their physician to weigh the benefits versus potential for harm. Sometimes a change in a person’s diet or lifestyle can produce the desired results.

For those who desire to avoid pharmaceutical treatments, experts suggest such tactics as avoiding foods that are prone to cause heartburn, eat small meals at more frequent intervals and cease smoking. Some over-the-counter options can also be considered for temporary relief of exacerbated symptoms.

Low levels of magnesium can lead to serious health complications including seizures, irregular heart beat and painful muscle spasms. Drugs that can reduce magnesium levels over time will now be required to carry a warning for this side effect. Talk to your doctor here in Albany to find out whether your magnesium levels should be monitored.

There are a large number of patients taking proton pump inhibitors. In 2010, sales of Nexium totaled more than $5 million.

The magnesium lowering side effect seems to only occur when proton pump inhibitors are taken in large quantities over a long period of time. Lower doses and shorter periods of time do not lead to lower magnesium levels. Usually, patients are only prescribed proton pump inhibitors for about six months at a time. While some patients showed signs of lowered magnesium levels after as little as three months, it was far more common for patients on the medications for a year or more to have issues with lowered magnesium levels.

Lower dose over the counter versions of these medications do not seem to have the same magnesium lowering side effects.

If you suffer from GERD and are taking one of these drugs long term, your doctor may have you also take magnesium supplements. Consult with your GERD doctor for a treatment plan appropriate for you.

In addition to the increased risk of bone fractures, the medications may also increase the risk of infections caused by the C. difficile bacteria, causing severe diarrhea. Heartburn medication in this category includes some of the most popular prescription antacids used for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, Zegerid, Protonix, Dexilant and Aciphex are all PPI medications.

Researchers have found a connection between these antacids and bone fractures in middle-aged adults, although the risk appears to be greater in patients over 50 years old. With over 100 million prescriptions written in the United States annually, this is the third most commonly sold form of prescription medication. Over-the-counter versions of three of these medications are also available: Prevacid, Prilosec and Zegerid. The FDA, as a result of the research, will now require warnings on both the prescribed and over-the-counter versions of the drugs.

Although the medications are highly effective in reducing the amount of stomach acid, they are intended for short-term use. The FDA is advising patients to discuss their medications with their doctors. They have stated that no more than three 14-day courses of the medications should be used within a single year. Alternate heartburn medication, not carrying the same risks, may be a better choice for those with less than severe cases of heartburn.

Aciphex Oral should be taken by mouth as prescribed by your Albany, GA doctor. It’s typically taken once per day, with food or without for gastroespohageal reflux disease. You should take your dosage at approximately the same time every day. Depending on your medical condition and treatment response, your length and dosage of Aciphex Oral treatment may be adjusted. Make sure this medication is taken whole — do not split, chew or crush this heartburn medication. Antacids may be taken with Aciphex Oral. However, you should wait at least 30 minutes before taking sucralfate.

You may develop a headache while taking Aciphex Oral. If a headache persists or becomes worse, speak with your pharmacist or doctor right away. Although a very serious side effect of this heartburn medication is rare, seek medical attention if you notice itching, swelling (particularly of the throat, tongue or face), rash, trouble breathing or severe dizziness while taking Aciphex Oral.

In addition to treating GERD, Prilosec can also be used in combination with antibiotics to treat ulcers that have been caused by the H. pylori bacteria. Although Prilosec can help treat GERD, a disease associated with frequent heartburn and acid reflux, this medication is not intended for immediate relief of heartburn.

Before taking Prilosec, talk to your doctor about potential allergies, especially if you are allergic to other benzimidazole medication, including albendazole or mebendazole. You should also tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from liver or heart disease.

Prilosec is available over-the-counter as Prilosec OTC. This medication should not be taken more than once every 24 hours and should not be used if you are experiencing difficulty swallowing, bloody stools or vomit, heartburn with wheezing, nausea or stomach pain. You should contact your doctor if you have been suffering from heartburn for more than three months.

Heartburn symptoms may be confused with the symptoms of a heart attack. If you are experiencing chest pain accompanied by difficulty breathing, sweating, nausea or a pain in your arm, seek medical attention.

In addition to treating GERD, Protonix may also be prescribed for patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a disorder in which the stomach produces too much acid.

Protonix is generally prescribed to be taken once or twice per day and it’s recommended that you take it at the same time every day. This medication does not have to be taken with food or a certain amount of time before eating. The tablets should be taken whole and not crushed or chewed.

Is Protonix safe?

While pantoprazole is safe for most people to take as directed, you should talk to your doctor if you are allergic to pantoprazole or similar medications. You should also discuss any medications you may be taking, especially if you are taking: ampicillin (Omnipen, Polycillin, Totacillin), clopidogrel (Plavix), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or vitamins containing iron. As with all medications, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Side effects that may be caused by Protonix include diarrhea, headache, stomach pain, gas or bloating. You should call your doctors if these symptoms do not go away.

Nexium is prescribed for the treatment of:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
• erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid)

This medication may also be prescribed to prevent gastric ulcers caused by the H. pylori bacteria or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Nexium is not intended to be used for immediate relief of heartburn and acid reflux.

Taking Nexium

Nexium should be taken with a full glass of water at least one hour before a meal. It usually prescribed for 4 to 8 weeks at a time and should be taken in the dosage recommended by your doctor.

Side effects of Nexium may include:

• headache, drowsiness
• diarrhea
• nausea, stomach pain, gas, constipation
• dry mouth

Is Nexium safe?

You should not take Nexium if you are allergic to esomeprazole or benzimidazole. Talk to your doctor before taking Nexium if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a history of osteoporosis.

People who are hospitalized for any reason while taking a proton pump inhibitor, may be as much as 74% more likely to become infected by the Clostridium difficile bacteria. More commonly known as C. difficile, this intestinal infection is very hard to treat and can result in severe diarrhea or, in more severe cases, colon removal. Proton pump inhibitors suppress the production of stomach acids that are believed to help protect against the bacteria.

Other studies suggest that taking proton pump inhibitors may increase your risk for pneumonia and bone fractures, including spine fractures.

The question experts are now proposing is no whether or not proton pump inhibitors are effective in treating heartburn symptoms, but whether or not some patients are considering lifestyle and dietary changes before turning to medication.

Obesity, for example, can contribute to frequent heartburn. Losing weight has been shown to be an effective treatment for many people who suffer from heartburn or GERD, as has exercise, low-fat diets, high fiber diets, and eating smaller meals more slowly.