Addressing stomach problems
DHENA Paul, 34, has a stressful job as an accountant, travelling often and working late hours.
In the last three years, her gastritis, gas and tummy discomfort has been worsening.
One evening, she thought that she was having a panic attack when her breathing became difficult.
Doctors found it to be an acid reflux issue and since then, she’s been on acid- blocking pills, which gives relief but not from bloatedness and gas problems.
Tummy inflammation
Gastritis, acid reflux and stomach ulcers are some of the ways the digestive system signals distress. It is defined as the inflammation of the stomach lining that causes it to weaken or become damaged.
When gastritis goes unchecked, painful open wounds called stomach ulcers develop.
These are difficult to heal as it lies in a pool of acid. Left unresolved, they can lead to bleeding complications.
Acid reflux occurs when acid contents from the stomach are pushed up into the oesophagus causing symptoms of heartburn.
This problem has risen by nearly 50% over the last decade, attributed likely to the rise in smoking and obesity.
Symptoms include abdominal discomfort, indigestion, bloating, gas and upper abdominal pain.
Tummy medicines
Proton- pump inhibitors ( PPIs) or acid blockers are the leading drug therapy for upper gastrointestinal disorders, dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease.
As potent suppressors of gastric acid, PPIs work by reducing acid production to enable the digestive tract lining a chance to heal.
PPIs are recommended for only four to six weeks, then should be withdrawn or stepped down to less- potent therapy
In practice, long- term, even lifetime use is becoming the norm – causing adverse effects and long- term harm due to their profound acid suppression actions
Stomach acids help break down food, absorb vitamins and minerals and act as first line defence against harmful bacteria.
When these are suppressed overtime, the body’s natural digestive and defense mechanisms are compromised.
PPI patients are therefore at increased risk of gastrointestinal tract and lungs infections such as pneumonia, bone fractures and hastened development of atrophic gastritis with progression to carcinoma.
Natural therapeutics
In tandem with conventional treatment methods, attention has also turned to evidencebased natural therapeutics in the battle against gastrointestinal disorders. One in particular that has stood out is a pine conifer green needle extract known as Bioeffective A.
In a research, Bioeffective A was administered to patients with atrophic gastritis and compared with a control group. The results concluded that: • Regressionofsymptomsas gastritis, acid reflux, gas and bowel disorders in 92% of patients.
• Improvedstomachfunctionality in 58% of patients.
• Reductioninprecancerous lesions in 46% of patients.
• H. pylorieradicationin57% of patients.
Dhena started on Bioeffective A and after three months, she makes time to have more regular meals and is able to enjoy them without suffering. And she no longer needs to take the tummy medicines and is living a healthier life.
References
Talley NJ; American Gastroenterological Association. American Gastroenterological Association medical position statement: evaluation of dyspepsia. Gastroenterology. 2005; 129( 5): 1753– 1755
Talley NJ; American Gastroenterological Association. American Gastroenterological Association medical position statement: evaluation of dyspepsia. Gastroenterology. 2005; 129( 5): 1753– 1755
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