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Post by Darin on Nov 25, 2018 16:57:45 GMT -5
As we age, our bodies produce less and less stomach acid. Oftentimes, this can cause issues such as Acid Reflux and Heartburn. Here's the kicker though ... most people assume it's HIGH acid levels causing this and medicate appropriately. It's VERY important to know whether the acid levels are too low or too high prior to doing this as you can make it worse. In my case, I've recently discovered that my stomach acid is too low and have reincorporated Apple Cider Vinegar into my daily diet again. The difference is pretty amazing and I'm even feeling less stiff in my joints and noticing healthier skin as well. So, if your one of the millions feeling a little acid reflux now and then, don't treat it without knowing the cause. ... this has been a Public Service Announcement.  |
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 25, 2018 16:59:20 GMT -5
I had no idea. I suffer from this too. How do I know if I'm producing too much or too little?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2018 17:11:09 GMT -5
I’ve suffer as well due to certain medications. What works best for me is chewing a few tablets of simethicone for that occasional heartburn and indigestion. Helps with diverticulitis as well.
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Post by trailboss on Nov 25, 2018 17:45:20 GMT -5
My wife cannot take apple cider vinegar because the gastritis has caused erosion and stomach damage.
I worked with an old guy that lived with acid reflux and never did anything about it, he ended up with esophageal cancer as a result..
I have woken up with the boiling in the throat from acid reflux, Had my upper GI scoped 8 years ago and it looked fine, I take Pantoprazole daily and it helps control things quite a bit. A month ago I did a barium swallow just to check my upper plumbings...all ok, quite a trippy procedure to watch.
Tomato based products really amp up the acids on me.
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 25, 2018 17:49:13 GMT -5
My wife cannot take apple cider vinegar because the gastritis has caused erosion and stomach damage. I worked with an old guy that lived with acid reflux and never did anything about it, he ended up with esophageal cancer as a result.. I have woken up with the boiling in the throat from acid reflux, Had my upper GI scoped 8 years ago and it looked fine, I take Pantoprazole daily and it helps control things quite a bit. A month ago I did a barium swallow just to check my upper plumbings...all ok, quite a trippy procedure to watch. Tomato based products really amp up the acids on me. yep... The throat is where I feel I mine. That was the cause of my throat issue a few months back (still ongoing). If I get throat cancer, I'll tell the wife it's because of that and nothing to do with my pipe smoking... To be fair, there's probably a greater chance of me getting throat cancer from the acid reflux than from the pipe. |
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Post by Darin on Nov 25, 2018 17:55:47 GMT -5
I had no idea. I suffer from this too. How do I know if I'm producing too much or too little? There are more complex and expensive tests but I just did a simple Baking Soda test: I went past the 4 minute mark on all my tests and, therefore, determined a low acid condition. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 25, 2018 17:58:03 GMT -5
I had no idea. I suffer from this too. How do I know if I'm producing too much or too little? There are more complex and expensive tests but I just did a simple Baking Soda test: I went past the 4 minute mark on all my tests and, therefore, determined a low acid condition. Thank you for this. I must try it in the morning. |
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Post by Darin on Nov 25, 2018 18:01:57 GMT -5
My wife cannot take apple cider vinegar because the gastritis has caused erosion and stomach damage. I worked with an old guy that lived with acid reflux and never did anything about it, he ended up with esophageal cancer as a result.. I have woken up with the boiling in the throat from acid reflux, Had my upper GI scoped 8 years ago and it looked fine, I take Pantoprazole daily and it helps control things quite a bit. A month ago I did a barium swallow just to check my upper plumbings...all ok, quite a trippy procedure to watch. Tomato based products really amp up the acids on me. Did you had your stomach pH measured in any of those procedures, Charlie? Tomato products do the same to me as does high fat foods. |
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Post by puffy on Nov 25, 2018 18:29:40 GMT -5
I take the generic version of Prilosec every day.Doc says he can treat it but he can't cure it...Anything with Oil or Grease doesn't like me.
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Post by haebar on Nov 25, 2018 18:40:30 GMT -5
I once had acid reflux and heartburn pretty bad when I was younger and smoked cigarettes. I had to sleep on one of those wedge-shaped pillows to keep my head above the level of my stomach. When I quit smoking cigarettes, the problem went away. Smoking pipes and cigars did not cause the problem, which I had smoked all along.
Since you mentioned the apple cider vinegar, I remembered that my grandparents used to drink small amounts of it on occasion. I wonder if that is what they were using it for? They also drank small amounts of apple cider vinegar mixed with honey for the common cold.
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Post by Darin on Nov 25, 2018 18:41:50 GMT -5
I take the generic version of Prilosec every day.Doc says he can treat it but he can't cure it...Anything with Oil or Grease doesn't like me. Again, though ... did you actually test for low vs high acid or did they just start you on the meds? There's a lot of money to be made in pushing the medications and it happens a lot without valid testing first. |
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Post by Darin on Nov 25, 2018 18:45:43 GMT -5
I once had acid reflux and heartburn pretty bad when I was younger and smoked cigarettes. I had to sleep on one of those wedge-shaped pillows to keep my head above the level of my stomach. When I quit smoking cigarettes, the problem went away. Smoking pipes and cigars did not cause the problem, which I had smoked all along. Since you mentioned the apple cider vinegar, I remembered that my grandparents used to drink small amounts of it on occasion. I wonder if that is what they were using it for? They also drank small amounts of apple cider vinegar mixed with honey for the common cold. ACV is pretty amazing stuff ... lots of health benefits in general consuming fermented and pickled foods. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 25, 2018 18:47:34 GMT -5
Is apple cider worth trying? I.e. Before it turns to vinegar?
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Post by LSUTigersFan on Nov 25, 2018 18:53:05 GMT -5
I've suffered from reflux for years. After a recent flare up, I tried something new. The Protonix, even twice a day, was no longer cutting it for me. So, I went to an ENT who's the brother of one my law partners. He's a miracle maker. His efforts, along with my own contributions, have helped me go from constant reflux (almost continuous) to the point, that it is merely an occasional annoyance (once or twice a month).
First, I have allergies that produce a lot of mucus that contributes to my reflux. The doctor put me on Mucinex tablets twice a day with two allergy sprays Azelastine (prescription) and Flonase twice in each nostril twice a day. Although, I will likely drop those at my next appointment according to him. I also take Pepcid at night before bed. I sleep on a wedge pillow. It was so bad that it was reaching my sinuses! At my last visit, he said that there were almost no signs of it in my sinuses. I have dropped to one Protonix a day, and even then, I occasionally forget to take it now. My doc suggested I will lose the sprays at my visit next week with the Musinex to follow if it does not flare up.
For my bit, I have gone from full keto diet to low-carb, but not enough to be technically in ketosis. For me, that was the kicker. I now occasionally eat foods that would surely trigger my reflux in the past before the diet - lettuce, tomato sauce, spicy foods, butter, alcohol and greasy foods. Now, I can eat those thing occasionally, and I suffer no repercussions. The fact that I've lost 63 pounds likely helped too. I've been stable at 153 even with occasional cheat days. A buddy also suggested I put a little baking soda in the coffee grounds for my coffee in the morning, and now coffee is no longer a trigger. It's a freaking miracle.
I tried the apple cider vinegar, but it did nothing for me.
In all seriousness, I am glad you find something that helps.
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Post by Darin on Nov 25, 2018 18:55:03 GMT -5
Is apple cider worth trying? I.e. Before it turns to vinegar? No ... it has to be the lowered pH of vinegar. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2018 19:32:28 GMT -5
My contribution to this public service announcement: anyone with acid reflux should be tested for h. pylori bacteria, which is very easy to pick up eating in restaurants and is incredibly prevalent - something like 50% of the population has it and does not even know it. This test should be the first port of call - before taking prescription drugs. The cure is 1 week of antibiotics + Prilosec, then it's gone. If you wait to long you risk gastritis.
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Post by Darin on Nov 25, 2018 19:34:44 GMT -5
+1 Chico ... that's another cause that is not too much acid and needs a different treatment.
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Post by trailboss on Nov 25, 2018 19:37:54 GMT -5
Thanks Chico...and..
No, I will ask why at the next visit...I would rather take no medications and use my diet to control it all.
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Post by trailboss on Nov 25, 2018 19:39:38 GMT -5
I've been stable at 153 even with occasional cheat days. Just old ed just lost the game of OFT...Old Fart Throne. |
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Post by Darin on Nov 25, 2018 19:57:20 GMT -5
LOL! |
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Post by roadsdiverged on Nov 25, 2018 20:33:33 GMT -5
When I drank liquor daily it was terrible. My first sip was always accompanied with a zantac 150.
Since I quit drinking 17 months ago it's not nearly as frequent. Last night it woke me up from a dead sleep at 3am. Acid in my throat and a sharp pain in my stomach. I purged the acid (I'm sure you wanted to know that) took a zantac and drank a glass of water and it was gone.... 3 hours later. Once in a while it flares up and I'll get it for a week straight, other times, I'll go weeks with no issue.
I did read somewhere a while back that if you take acid reducers frequently you're body will start to produce extra to compensate? I'm not sure on this, I'm not in the medical field and I only research things that interest me.
Maybe I should quit putting it off and actually schedule an appointment at a doctor. I cant even think of the last physical/check up I've had.
I have never thought of having low acid. But I know tomato based foods or drinking high acid drinks really do me in.
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Post by Darin on Nov 25, 2018 20:37:56 GMT -5
Maybe try out that baking soda test over a few mornings and see what results you get ... won't hurt! |
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Post by roadsdiverged on Nov 25, 2018 20:52:35 GMT -5
I'll pick up some baking soda after work and give it a go.
All I'm seeing in my head is spewing foam like the volcano's in elementary school or blowing up like the blueberry girl in willy wonka!
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Post by trailboss on Nov 25, 2018 21:00:35 GMT -5
Maybe try out that baking soda test over a few mornings and see what results you get ... won't hurt! I remember my dad taking baking soda in a glass of water and belching with the lungs of a hippo after a hard day's night... |
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Post by dervis on Nov 25, 2018 21:37:31 GMT -5
I aslo drink ACV with the mother left in it. In my opinion has a few benefits. I kinda like the taste of a few tablespoons in water anyway.
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Post by LSUTigersFan on Nov 25, 2018 21:45:18 GMT -5
Maybe try out that baking soda test over a few mornings and see what results you get ... won't hurt! I don't use a lot. I use a large scoop for half a pot. To that, I had about a 1/3 of a teaspoon. My doc said it is OK, as it would help to counteract the effect of the acid in the coffee. |
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Post by LSUTigersFan on Nov 25, 2018 21:49:50 GMT -5
I'll pick up some baking soda after work and give it a go. All I'm seeing in my head is spewing foam like the volcano's in elementary school or blowing up like the blueberry girl in willy wonka! See my other post about how much to use. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 26, 2018 3:09:43 GMT -5
Is apple cider worth trying? I.e. Before it turns to vinegar? No ... it has to be the lowered pH of vinegar. LOL - I was trying to be funny. I forgot the winky emoji at the end of the post. My contribution to this public service announcement: anyone with acid reflux should be tested for h. pylori bacteria, which is very easy to pick up eating in restaurants and is incredibly prevalent - something like 50% of the population has it and does not even know it. This test should be the first port of call - before taking prescription drugs. The cure is 1 week of antibiotics + Prilosec, then it's gone. If you wait to long you risk gastritis. I had that twice, and I think I have it again. It's a bummer and the treatment is rough too. Maybe try out that baking soda test over a few mornings and see what results you get ... won't hurt! Dammit - I'm reading this thread while eating breakfast....me and my stupid memory! |
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Post by antb on Nov 26, 2018 4:42:01 GMT -5
Thanks for starting this informative thread, Darin! Who would have thought such good advice would be available on a pipe smokers forum? |
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Robert Perkins
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Post by Robert Perkins on Nov 26, 2018 8:13:27 GMT -5
I was overweight for about 20 years, and I had stomach troubles during that whole period that required constant use of antacids ... Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac, you name it.
But I went on a diet last year, started eating healthier, and now I have almost zero trouble with my stomach ... only once in awhile when I overeat at a party or something.
I know, I know, I'm a smug bastard. But if somebody finds this helpful, maybe it's worth it.
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