Another word for acid reflux or heartburn is gastritis. Ultimately when over-the-counter (OTC) gimmicks like antacids and risky pharmaceutical drugs fail miserably, it?s never too late to embrace a more holistic approach.

I won?t claim that chemically treating gastritis is absolutely unnecessary, only because once you prescribe to the barbaric ways of Westernized medicine; you?re going to most likely end up having more extreme gastritis treatments like surgery.

I?m also not going to say that Western medicine?s gastritis treatments are absolutely necessary either.

Truth is it?s ever too late to consider the proven benefits of integrative and Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM). Yet as you already know, the sooner you catch on and start using natural remedies, the sooner you will experience a total healing of your gastritis.

It goes unsaid that correct treatment of gastritis depends on the root cause.

According to the Mayo clinic, a sudden onset and short duration of gastritis caused from taking Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen or alcohol can be relieved by stopping use of those substances.

That should be a warning to you that prolonged of this class of drugs (NSAIDs) may lead to chronic gastritis.

In other words, you should know one of Ibuprofen?s many adverse side effects is gastritis. Other brand names of ibuprofen are Advil, Motrin, Nuprin and even Pediacare Fever.

7 Other brands of drugs that belong to the NSAID class are:

1. Aspirin (Bayer)

2. Naproxen (Aleve)

3. Indomethacin (Indocin)

4. Nabumetone (Relafen)

5. Celecoxib (Celebrex)

6. Flurbiprofen (Ansaid)

7. Rofecoxib (Vioxx)

Check with your pharmacist to see if you?re unknowingly taking any NSAID class drugs, because there are dozens of them out there. NSAIDs reduce the flow of blood to the kidneys and impair function of the kidneys which can be a factor in your gastritis problem, gastric acid production and many other associated digestive health problems.

Fact: ?it?s estimated that 35% to 80% of people with gastritis also suffer from asthma.

People suffering from asthma are more likely to experience allergic reactions to ibuprofen and other NSAIDs. Fluid retention (edema), blood clots, heart attacks, high blood pressure and outright heart failure have also been associated with the use of NSAIDs. Plus some products like Excedrin (acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine), are a combination of drugs.

Other Westernized medical treatments for gastritis are:

• Antacids: Over-the-counter antacids (Maalox, Mylanta, others) in liquid or tablet form are a common treatment for mild gastritis. Antacids neutralize stomach acid and can lead to gut flora imbalances often leading to bacterial infections.
• Acid blockers: When antacids don’t provide enough relief, your doctor may recommend more medication, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid) or famotidine (Pepcid), that helps reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. These drugs only treat symptoms and do not cure your gastritis.
• Proton pump inhibitors: These drugs shut down your body?s natural ?acid pumps.? They chemically block the action of the acid-secreting cells of your stomach. This class of medications includes omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex) and esomeprazole (Nexium). ?Blocking natural digestive acid production can have many adverse consequences, be sure to know the risks.

When treating the symptoms of your gastritis with any drug, be absolutely sure your gastritis symptoms isn?t caused from a common gastric ?acid deficiency,? which is more common than you would first think.

Sometimes The Gastritis Treatment Is Worse Than The Disease

Doctors often end up treating people with gastritis for a bacterial infection (H.Pylori), known to be caused from antacids. The treatment for this antacid induced infection is usually antibiotics combined with proton pump inhibitor drugs.

Antibiotics kill the bad ?ulcer causing? H. Pylori bacteria as well as any healthy micro-organisms remaining in your digestive tract (probiotics).

There?s clearly a good reason to not use antacids to treat your gastritis in the first place. I?ve only pointed out ?a handful? of the consequences of mistreating gastritis with antacids and other drugs.

Do you really need me to show you more?

There are many evidence-based, scientifically proven, natural remedies that help your body heal itself from the symptoms of gastritis . . . start looking and you will find them.

Do ask your doctor to use Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) when treating gastritis, before resorting to risky experimental drugs.

Live well,

Todd M. Faass?

Health Ecologist