In Dr. Mike Eades’ latest blog, GERD Treatment: Nutrition vs Drugs, he highlights a video presentation by a Dr. Johnson, an academic gastroenterologist from a medical school in Virginia who advises other doctors to ignore the risks of PPIs. Mike and I have been on the same page on both the risks of PPIs and the use of diet for GERD ever since we first met in California. I still remember meeting Mike and Mary Dan in a coffee shop where I explained my theory on the root cause of acid reflux.
We can’t ignore the significant risks of long term PPI use which include:
- Anemia
- Pneumonia
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Impaired calcium absorption
- Impaired magnesium absorption
- Increased rate fractures, especially hip, wrist and spine
- Osteopenia
- Rebound effect of extra-heavy gastric acid secretion
- Heart attacks
Dr. Eades hits the nail on the head when he says: “If a patient were to present to me with a medical problem, the first thing I would think of is how (or if) the problem could be treated nutritionally. If a nutritional treatment is appropriate, then pursuing that therapeutic option is the epitome of the first pillar of the practice of good medicine: Primum non nocere. First, do no harm.” Why don’t some doctors get it?
One reason could be they don’t understand how easy it is to treat chronic acid reflux effectively with either low carb diet or Fast Tact Diet, both designed to attack the underlying cause of acid reflux, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) which stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
I am extremely interested in this approach. I would like to know if the SIBO protocol will help rid (reduce?) the horrendous nausea that accompanies reflux. I would also like to know if the book offers any advice about getting off PPIs. I was on them for about 15ish years. I did manage to gradually reduce them. Then, about 2-3 weeks after complete cessation, I got a horrendous rebound effect. I cannot get my gastroenterologist to entertain the possibility of testing for SIBO. (Functional dyspepsia has been offered as a diagnosis.) My tale is long with many tests, many specialists, many diets (including low acid, FODMAP), many books, many drugs and many protocols. No solution thus far however.
There are many potential causes of nausea. Also, everyone is unique, and every situation differs. The Fast Tract Digestion Heartburn book does address PPIs, but getting off PPIs requires an individualized process and in some cases (prescription) your doctor’s consent. It sounds like you have been diligent exploring many avenues for your digestive health issues, and I am glad that you are still in search of a sound solution. Given the complex nature of your situation, it would be best if we could work together through our consultation program. You can call us at (844)495-1151 or send an e-mail to rhea.tanaka@digestivehealthinstitute.org to make a free pre-consultation appointment with our staff to determine the best course of action.