Alternative Treatments for GERD
Source: Everyday Health
http://www.everydayhealth.com/gerd/alternative-treatments-for-gerd.aspx
Although many people have occasional heartburn, experiencing heartburn more than twice a week may be a sign of a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The stomach acids produced by GERD can erode the lining of the esophagus, causing painful complications such as ulcers, difficulty swallowing, and even esophageal cancer. To avoid these problems, in addition to making lifestyle modifications, people may need to take GERD medications — but these treatments can also cause problems when taken over an extended period.
Over-the-counter antacids are a popular remedy for heartburn. However, taking these for a number of years without a doctor’s supervision has been associated with an increase in risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer. And on the prescription side, proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are very effective at reducing GERD symptoms. But PPIs have their own controversial link — to lower bone density and ensuing bone fractures. In May 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that labels for OTC and prescription PPIs must be revised to include information about the increased risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures associated with these drugs.
Given these challenges with conventional GERD therapies, many people with GERD may look for alternative therapies to ease their symptoms. Unfortunately, very few complementary and alternative treatments have been shown to help treat GERD. However, acupuncture is one type of treatment that may bring real relief to some people with GERD.
GERD: The Evidence for Acupuncture
Studies show that acupuncture, an ancient form of Chinese medicine, may be helpful in treating digestive disorders such as GERD because it alters the secretion of acids, affecting gastrointestinal movement.
Acupuncture practitioners use extremely thin needles placed along certain points in the body to achieve different physiological results.
“I refer my GERD patients for acupuncture, and it definitely helps,” says Mary Maish, MD, MPH, director of the Center for Esophageal Disorders at the University of California, Los Angeles.
One study examined the results of adding acupuncture treatments vs. a double dose of standard GERD medication in patients who hadn’t found complete relief using a single dose of a proton pump inhibitor. At the end of the study, patients who received the acupuncture treatment in addition to a single dose of GERD medication had significant decrease in both day and nighttime heartburn and acid regurgitation compared with their initial heartburn.
Patients who were given a double dose of medication did not show any significant changes in heartburn compared with the beginning of the study.
