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Acid Reflux

mamanolte
  • By mamanolte
  • Posted January 27, 2009 at 12:11 pm · 14 replies
  • In Help desk
  • Shared with the public
0 Recommendations

This was in the February issue of Prevention magazine. While I didn't chew gum I did have hard candy. Never made the connection but it did provide some relief.
Cheryll

Here's the text:
"Here's an easy way to prevent acid reflux: Pop a stick of gum into your mouth after a meal. According to Kings College London researchers, chewing gum can reduce heartburn-related symptoms by boosting production of saliva, which is alkaline and helps neutralize stomach acid.

More saliva also means more swallowing, which stimulates the muscle contractions that help digest food, researchers say. Stick to sugarless gum, they advise--and if you're not the gum-chewing type, a sugar-free hard candy or lozenge may have a similar effect. "

Explore topics in this discussion:

Angina Surgery Pain Acid reflux Tarceva Nexium Heartburn Prilosec Omeprazole

14 replies

brooklynda

Thanks for the info. I've had this cough for several years now and keep searching for an answer. I've been to a pulmonary specialist, an allergist and now am going to schedule an appointment with a ENT specialist. The allergist thought it might be acid reflux, gave me Nexium (didn't change anything). Also tried some OTC stuff like Prilosec and Neti Pot. I should be grateful for the cough though, as it was the reason I went to the doctor and the stage 3a,adenocarcinoma was discovered! But it still scares me that I can't find a definite answer. Appreciate your help. Blessings! Brooklynda

mamanolte

Heartburn is more likely to happen at night or while in a prone position. From what I've read you can get a sharp pain that resembles angina. I have esophagitis from radiation and have been given medications to keep stomach acid at bay. According to my last PET/CT it is getting better and I'm only taking one Prilosec a day. This is a link that I found informative: http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroesophageal_reflux_disease_gerd/article.htm
Cheryll

dmz

I had surgery in Dec 08 and developed a bad cough soon afterwards. My surgeon told me my lung is irritated and a cough is normal. Although I had no obvious signs of heartburn or reflux my PCP recommended I try over the counter Prilosec (3 months after surgery). I used the prilosec for 2 weeks and my cough is all but disappeared. Prilosec and time is my remedy.

brooklynda

Does anybody know whether or not you can have Acid Reflux and never have heartburn as a symptom?

RNinNH

Hi Cheryl,
Yes, I did know its the same plant as what's on the chia pet. This however isn't generic chia, but a blend of several types of the plant seed to give it such high nutritional content. (I;ve done a lot of research on it!) It can make you feel full, but I haven't lost weight, cuz I still have a good appetite. Honestly, it seems to give your body what it needs. I've told all my friends about it because it makes me feel so good, and some have lost weight, some have not.

mamanolte

Did you know that it's the greenery on the Chia Pet?
Cheryll

mamanolte

From what I just read, it causes weight loss as well as the myriad of other benefits. Have you found that you've lost weight and, if so, is that such a good thing for us? I could stand to lose weight but not all LC patients can.
Cheryll

Toddy

Thanks, something to discuss with my gastrointerologist.
Toddy

mamanolte

I was watching the show The Doctors today and they did a segment on Barrett's Syndrome. According to them there is a treatment for this precancerous condition called HALO Ablation. Here's the site and there's a link that goes into detail about the procedure. http://www.thedoctorstv.com/main/show_synopsis/151?section=synopsis
Cheryll

linnea

I had reflux before surgery, but surgery definitely made it worse--a not unexpected outcome according to my Dr. I take nexium and even occasionally mylanta when it gets bad. It is important to control the reflux as I believe it can cause issues for your lungs as well. Talk to your Dr.

mamanolte

You should ask your doctor about taking an acid reducer as well. No need to suffer while dealing with all of this. I was on Priolsec (or the generic, Omeprazole, which is cheaper) 20 mg twice a day during treatment and about 8 months after treatment stopped. Am now only taking 20 mg twice a day and quite comfortable. I had really bad esophogitis from the radiation. It's continuing to heal but still need some help. I repeat, no need to suffer, so if you're in any kind of discomfort ask the doctor for something. Hope the gum works, it's worth a shot.
Cheryll

emilyjane

Thanks for the info, I will try the gum. I take tarceva and one of the side effects if some, not overwhelming, but some heartburn. Thanks again.

mamanolte

I had my surgery, RUL, on 1/17/07. I had a little bit of acid reflux but not much. If you've had surgery you need to realize that everything has to find "its new place" and you can have any number of aches, pains and such. I had much more acid reflux due to my subsequent chemo/rad this past Spring. Are you taking any meds?
Cheryll

hanmarmax

Dear Cheryll:

Are you having some kind of acid reflux symptoms post surgery. I've just started to and didn't know whether it had anything to do w/the LC or surgery? Any thoughts?
Lisa

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