interesting info in the second video about acid blocking drugs or proton pump inhibitors like pepcid, prilosec, and protonix. I work in the hospital and almost all of my patients take one of the drugs above. They take them everday usually before each meal. It makes me wonder if they know about the increased side effects from these drugs or only take them because the doctor said to for their heartburn.
I agree with you, I think most of the elderly people take medications just because the doctor said they needed it. Some do not have the knowledge base to understand what to take or what they need.
Yes you are right, and I do know the doctors gets money for doing that as well.
annadannelleDecember 3, 2015 at 12:41 pm
I agree, sometimes it seems like doctors are prescribing medicines just to get the money from you.
knicholeApril 7, 2016 at 7:10 pm
I try not to take medications. The side efects are ususally not worth it for the smaller things.
Amber NewmanApril 8, 2016 at 11:44 am
Yes, this is a common thing with elderly people.
ppendergrassJune 21, 2016 at 8:23 pm
Three of my family members take certain medications that cause extra acid reflex. They have to take a acid reflex medication that helps them daily. One of them are looking to switch the medication. It is amazing that some doctors give so much medication that can cause more problems to eliminate only one problem.
sgerhardtOctober 7, 2016 at 8:37 pm
Unfornately, this is probably true. I don’t think the doctors prescribe it for monetary purposes, but the eldery don’t have the knowledge or need to question a doctor. Years ago, if the doctor said it , it was golden.
MEENovember 3, 2016 at 10:36 pm
During RN clinical, I noticed that Protonix was pretty much on every elderly patients medication list that I cared for.
collinb1986July 17, 2017 at 10:33 pm
This can be quite true. Some people need to try and further their knowledge of what kind of problems they are having and know what certain medicines do for them.
jrousuNovember 7, 2017 at 6:08 pm
Consult with you doctor before using OTC. We all should read labels and warning on medications. It is a problem when the elderly are over medicated. They not only need smaller doses but run a higher risk for adverse side effects because of they metabolize medications differently.
tsamuelsNovember 7, 2018 at 9:28 pm
I agree, I think doctors don’t do enough teaching on the effects of medicine and many people just take them because they think they will help.
JicaldwOctober 11, 2019 at 11:31 pm
BINGO!!! NOBODY GETS A SECOND OPINION
nbarganierOctober 12, 2023 at 5:38 pm
I had to go to the doctor for my shoulder. I made sure to research before going in and I had already done things at home for it but nothing was working so i finally went and I got the medicine I needed. The medicine helped my shoulder feel better and I really needed rest so my doctor gave me a note so I do not go back to work until I had rested.
I think that is a problem with a lot of us patients. I know that I have found myself taking medications prescribed to me without looking into the reason I am taking them, other natural options, or looking at the side effects. After watching this video, I am definitely going to look into different medicine options. I don’t take acid blocking drugs specifically, but I think that these same kind of things can be applied to other types of drugs.
TwebbSeptember 7, 2015 at 11:36 pm
i also agree. alot of people take meds simply bc the doc said to. no one thinks to question the doc bc he is the doc.
My son uses prescription prevacid, but not for GERD. he has a swallowing disorder, and it helps for that too.,
eramsey4317April 11, 2017 at 7:10 pm
I did not know prevacid could be used to help with swallowing!
dasmithFebruary 18, 2016 at 3:52 pm
Just one more reason I hate to take ANY kind of medication, OTC or prescription. With every label I read on something I’ve been advised to take, I get more and more frustrated with the fact that to cure one problem you may be setting yourself up for another.
Medicines are so frustrating. And yes most likely if your problem is solved by taking a medicine then some other part of the body could be affected.
ameiklejohnNovember 5, 2019 at 4:31 pm
I completely agree with that. I’ve taken a few medications in my days for post-surgery care. They would help with the healing process but would start up other medical problems that made me have to go back to the dr.
acgillMarch 20, 2016 at 1:29 pm
Yes, I agree. Patients need to be educated regarding the side effects and long term health consequences of these medications. I think patients do tend to take things just because the doctor prescribed it.
this statement couldn’t be more true I agree 100 %.
laureneleslieApril 6, 2022 at 5:20 pm
Oh I agree 100% sometimes patients will come in and want pain medication even though it would be a short term pain reliever and nothing that helps in the long run.
I think many people are not aware of the side effects from taking prescription drugs or even over-the counter medications. The real answer is to change your diet and what you put into your body. It requires discipline which is often difficult to maintain (otherwise we wouldn’t have so many obese people/children)
I doubt the patients know ALL of the side effects. The problem is people would rather break a hip and take medicines before they would change their diets.
Sadly this is so true! In the nursing home, a pharmacy consultant will come through, review meds and the most common recommendation I have seen was to discontinue use of PPI such as pepcid or prilosec due to the use being longer than 6 weeks.
That is a good point, I as well, think that elderly people only take medications because this doctor said to. They hardly ever know the side effects of the medications they take.
It’s definitely important to read the labels and know the side effects before taking medications and these videos should serve as a lesson to remember that.
Yes! Very interesting my Dad takes one everyday. so I will be talking to him about this and maybe he can talk to his doctor about it. It seem that the side effects are almost as bad as heartburn.
I completely agree with you. most of my patients had those as PRN and they ask before meal. I do not think they know the side effects. As nurse I will educated them.
It makes me wonder too. I think its an echo resounding throughout all of the medical community. All these drugs are being prescribed for things that simply a change in diet or physical activity would do. Most doctors now days don’t really ask questions to get to the root of your issues. They generalize what your symptoms are and give you a drug to try and fix it. It’s really quite insane that we take them, no questions asked! Then you see all the commercials on tv saying: if you take “such and such” then side effects could be…severe depression or thoughts of suicide. And all you needed was a real person, really looking into your issue relating to your life, and helping you make some better decisions. It’s sad to me. How disconnected we are. A lot of times when I’m out in public I don’t look at people in the face to avoid confrontation, so I don’t have to smile or say hi if I don’t feel like it. But today I did, I looked at so many people and their faces and smiled at them…and they smiled back. I felt connected, at ease…even in public, when I may usually feel distressed and in a hurry. So maybe sometimes it starts with a small change, that soon builds up to a bigger change, that eventually becomes a lifestyle change!
I think this is so sad. My grandparents are on many drugs, and this raises questions if they really need them or if the doctor is trying to con money from them. I hope not.
i did not know it could cause cancer either that is scary. Luckily i have never had heartburn or reflux problems and i hope i never do. My mom has stomach ulcers and she is always in pain and there is a ton of stuff she can not eat ๐
I haven’t been so lucky as to not have heart burn, but I don’t have it as often as I used to. I was surprised to find out that stress can cause it though, and I’m wondering if that isn’t at least part of what caused mine.
My mother in law also had stomach ulcers and it was the saddest thing to watch. She was in so much pain and refused to eat anything because she was scared it would hurt more.
My mother always goes on about having heartburn, I made her watch the first video. She claims that her over the counter medicines help her heartburn but anyone in my household knows that’s a lie, from hearing her constant complaints. I also let her know about the second video that and how they say that acid-blocking medicines are a double edge sward, and that people who take them regularly can become deficient in vitamins and many more horrible long term side effects that she is making herself pron to everyday.
I have never had reflux problems and thank god for that. I had no idea it could cause cancer. My sister and aunt had it really bad during their pregnancies but I wouldn’t know because I have never been pregnant. Maybe my sister has GERD because she still has reflux problems since her pregnancy.
I liked the second video and the three steps that he gave. I had no idea the industry of acid blocking drugs was so popular or that when it was first made with such a short term use in mind. The idea that they can cause more problems in the long run is something I had never heard. If drugs aren’t the answer it seems that just common sense and making proper choices seem to be , in his opinion.
Acid reflux is not fun- for a very short time (about a week) I had terrible heartburn and acid reflux (thanks to some kidney anti-rejection medicines). Prilosec worked wonders, but I’m glad I don’t need it anymore. I didn’t realize it could cause serious side effects as well.
I have heard of the horrible effects that GERD has on people but i was not aware of it causing cancer. That is so scary. It must be diffucult facing the disorder then having to deal with the worry of maybe having cancer with it eventually.
-JB
I went through nursing school and work in the hospital now and I have never heard that GERD can cause cancer. The second video also described how the medications for GERD can cause cancer. I never realized how important it is to control this condition with food choices and lifestyle alterations vs. meds.
I also found it shocking that GERD can cause cancer! That’s why I think it’s extremely important for us to watch what we put in our body to try and prevent GERD rather than treat it with medicine when and if we get it.
C-SApril 19, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Gerd is not a fun thing to have, when I had my Stomach ulcer , they told me I had gerd too, the stomaceh acid can irritate a stomach ulcer….I am so glad I feel better.
GERD?? WOW so many things I do creates this problem for me. I do not personally use the acid blocking drugs but my boyfriends does everyday! This makes me worried for him since the video says that people who use these drugs may not be absorbing the proper nutrients. Our society is probably full of people with this problems since we are an over weight society that apparently loves to eat. I personally have made a diet change and have not experienced as much acid reflux as I use too. Learning about the possible cancer this problem can cause is a scary thought. Like the video says we would just think it was normal heartburn or acid reflx without seeing a Dr.
My sister has made a diet change as well and hasn’t noticed as many issues with GERD. She does still get ulcers! It seems so painful but she tries not to take any medications.
I had no idea about nexium or prilosec i worked for a GI doctor for a little while and that field is just so interesting to me which really helped me i have uc.
Thankfully, I have never experienced heart burn or indigestion. These videos can be very helpful for people who do have heart burn, GERD, or indigestion. They tell of ways to help decrease incidences and how to avoid it. I was suprised to learn that these problems could eventually lead to cancer.
My sister said she had heartburn during her pregnancy also, I have never been pregnant but I had heartburn once, and I was not fun.
SJApril 5, 2011 at 1:28 pm
I love this Dr. Mark Hyman!! He is awesome!! I need him in my daily life to instruct me on what to eat and what not to eat.
I knew that acid blocking drugs were bad if used for a long period but I wasn’t sure exactly how. My husband has terrible reflux and now I can help him with it. I have already started us all on vitamins and other supplements and he is greatful so far.
It is scary to think about what untreated reflux can turn into. I have occasional heartburn, but not bad. I have noticed that if I drink coke closer to bedtime it is worse when I lay down. Now i know to elevate my head to help reduce this and watch my diet.
It is sad because some people will never go to the doctor when they have problems. There is no telling how far a persons issue could progress with not seeing a doctor for it.
I have GERD and also a history of colon and breast cancer in my family, so having reflux is not healthy for me. It is very painful, and not only do you have to be on meds for reflux but also for the ulcers that it causes. It is not a pleasant illness.
RD- yes but it is not common in all patients, my GI doctor told me he doesnt see a lot of cases of cancer caused by GERD, but I am a higher risk for it due to the family history.
I know what you mean I experience a lot of the same problems. I think certain problems associated with GERD can also be hereditary. Me, my dad, my uncle, and my cousin all have problems associated with GERD. I’ve taken Prilosec for years and it helps.
I also liked his tips for dealing with heartburn. I usually just take a over the counter Anti-Acid tablet and it releives the heart burn. The side effects on the Acid blockers sound like something a person should research before taking the medication. Sometimes, I think we had rather have that magic pill to fix our medical problems without having to change our lifestyles, but I think for every medication you take their could possibly be a side effect that needs to be medicated. I like the ideal of finding the cause of the medical condition and chage my lifstyle.
I had no idea that GERD could increase your risk of cancer. My husband has acid reflux so I guess this is just one more item in a list of many we’ll have monitor as he gets older.
THIS IS SCARYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.I didnt know acid reflux can lead to cancer.i have a real bad case of GERD so i better start taking better care of my health.
EA
Wow! It is crazy that heart burn can cause cancer! I have never heard that before. I have never had heart burn before and I hope to never have it. It freaks me out to know that is actually destroying the esphagus! I never knew that smoking increases the production of stomach acid. That seems so crazy to me! I smoke and knowing all of the bad affects it can have on my body makes me want to quit.
It seems like everything I eat gives me heartburn! I sometimes get acid reflux also. If I do have GERD it is hereditary because my grandpa and father both have this. I will use the tips that have been given to me to help reduce the symptons.
I like how video one shows images while explaining what happens and what causes GERD. I had no idea chocolate and tomato based foods could trigger reflux. These videos are very informative.
The second video was very helpful for those who do have acid reflux. It gave them information on what foods they should avoid and why. I was unaware that acid reflux could lead to cancer.
Im blessed i do not have heartburn ive only haf it one tome my entire life and it was a very intense pain that i never want to have to feel again.these videos talks about ways to help prevent constent heartburn(GERD) these videos are becoming more informative each week
So the first video thouroughly convinced me that I have GERD. It says people without GERD only get heartburn occasionally, but I get heartburn ALL the time! It seems like everything I eat gives me heartburn and I also get acid reflux pretty frequently also. I assume that if I do have GERD it is hereditary like it says it can be in the video. I base this assumption on the fact that both of my parents get heartburn frequently too. I am really bad about not waiting 2 hours after eating before going to bed which has probably been contributing to my heartburn, so I am going to try to start eating earlier. I will continue to sleep with my pillows tilted in order to keep my head above my stomach though, I heard this tip a while back and have been trying it and I have to say it does seem to help.
Well first of all I have only had heartburn a few times but everytime thats all that I could think about. It makes you so miserable. Thank God its only been a few times. Now the cancer thing is very interesting, this is the first time hearing that heartburn left untreated could cause cancer. Now the lifestyle changes are good to know but one thing for me is half of them I don’t do to begin with such as smoking, drinking, chocolate I only eat for a week out of a month and thats just a few that I remember off the top of my head.
The first video makes the esophagus look like a giant water-slide into a pool! The only time I think I suffered from GERD was when I was in school and ate French Fries for lunch every day. Fatty, greasy foods DEFINATELY make symptoms much worse. I also was unaware that it could cause cancer. Scary… Elevating yourself at night makes a lot of since.
It would seem as though our stumach acid is as strong as the acid that is contained in car batteries. It’s like it can eat through anything and cause permanent dammage.
Lifestyle changes for acid reflux would be so much better than taking drugs to do so. It seems like changes to you diet would lead to a much better lifestyle for the long term. Wow yet another reason to loose weight. It has beeen amazing to me at just how much excess weight afects us on a daily basis. I just keep learning more and more. I love this class!
I may have GERD. Possiblely a servere cause i have tried over the counter and scribes and nothing works. It gets so bad that my whole chest has started hurting all the way across. I dont know about my LES. Its gotten so bad i can’t even eat anything with out getting heartburn or reflux. I have tried everything.
Im sorry to hear that! Maybe some ideas from the video will help you to cope in the end. I thank God that I have a healthy body I couldnt imagine what it feels like!
I’m so thankful that I have never suffered from acid reflex or heart burn. I guess age makes a difference. I wish I could stay young forever, dont we all! ๐ It was astonishing that reflux causes so much damage to the esophagus and can lead to cancer. The only time reflux has every happened to me was when I was sickly. But, I do have bad gag refluxes when it comes to smells and etc.
I never knew that smoking, coffee, alcholic beverages, soda, and chocolate could inhance heartburn. With elevation of the head, napping after meals, and small poritions we can alter how heartburn affects us.
I was diagnosed a couple of weeks ago with GERD, a hiatal hernia and a bleeding esophageal ulcer. Both of the videos were interesting and helpful. Now I know what my esophagus looks like and what a hiatal hernia is.
My brother has acid reflux so I have seen first hand some of the difficulties that pertains to it. I’m lucky that I don’t have to deal with it, but I’m going to give some of this insight to him so I enjoyed it.
I knew that throwing up was bad on the esaughagus but i had no idea that it could lead to cancer. That realy makes me think about how to prevent myself from ever throwing up again.
i think the issue of throwing up is really bad when it happens a lot and the acid keeps eroding the esophagus.if vomiting was as dangerous as u see it then i think pregnant women would really be in trouble.
I agree. I just think if it happens several times a day, everyday you should defiantly be worried.
Terrie HOctober 26, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Very informative. I have heard of all of the dietary changes except tomato products. That was new to me.
As far as smoking i believe it is up to the individual. They do work as an antidepressant and have a calming effect. I look at it this way. Someone will either die of “cancer” from smoking or not, or die from killing their liver and other vital organs with pharmaceuticals. If we take care of our bodies with a proper diet and exercise I think we can all live long happy lives doing what we all enjoy.
I agree. We are all our own person and so the consequences of our choices we cannot blame anyone else for. I wanna stay healthy and live a long happy life but your right were all gonna die some day no matter what.
I never really understood what GERD was. That video explained alot for me. I loved the animations too. They were just as informative and gave me a better perspective of what was happening
I thought I had Acid Reflux for a while but Im not sure if thats ever what it was. But I don’t have those peoblems anymore. And I didn’t know that it could cause cancer. Thats new to me.
I was oblivious of acid reflux causing cancer as well.
Spencer KANovember 1, 2011 at 1:29 pm
I as well had no idea and it worries me a lot about my mother.
RTPJuly 11, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I can honestly say that I have never had heart burn. Possibly some mild to moderate indigestion but never what my friends or family describe to me as heart burn. I hope I never do. ๐
I am GERD can be treated by drugs and eating changes to limit reflux after that last video that looked painful. Increasing acid reducation, and cutting down on fatty foods can cure GERD, but not smoking and eating healthy can stop GERD before it starts.
What Does GERD Do?
I had no idea what GERD was, but this video is very vivid and easy to understand I better understand what acid reflux and heart is. A hernia could cause the LES to stretch, and I didn’t know how importatnt the LES, I see if that is damaged and not working properly someone can be in bad shape. You are at risk to espohigical cancer.
As I mentioned before that I have had reflux problems. When it first happened I felt like the center of my chest was going to burst. The pressure is really painful. I don’t have it any more which I am thankful for. It seems that nutrition plays a major role for our entire body system. My great-grandfather had reflux and gastric problems for years and he would just take tums and tuff it out. Never complained until a gallstone got stuck in a bile duct and they did emergency surgery and found that his gallbladder had ruptured and it was filled with very large stones which turned out to be malignant. If he had gone to the doctor sooner the gallbladder could have been removed and no problems. It pays to listen to our bodies and find out what is wrong in the early onset.
On the part of the video where the esophagus expands into the chest cavity, that alone looks painful. Add some acid in there with it and it must be awful. I’m glad i’m spared from having that. I also didn’t know that sodas and fatty foods added to this problem.
I did not know that smoking increases the production of stomach acid, decreases saliva, and relaxes your LES causing acid reflux and heartburn. Smoking is just a really bad habit that doesnโt have any good side effects.
The times that I have suffered from heartburn it was all I could think about! I can only imagine having it all the time. I would be a wreck. I would be complaining constantely until I had it under control! The lifestyle changes always seem so senseable but…chocolate, coffee, alchoholic beverages, fatty foods…I mean these are things that should always be limited right? The smaller meals and not going to sleep right after eating seem like the most doable. Sleeping with your head higher too seems simple and logical. Smoking …now that is interesting. I waould never have known that it could be a contributor to heartburn…thank goodness I gave that up years ago!
I have only had it a few times myself and thats all I could think about, I felt so miserable. Glad I’m doing somethings right such as not smoking, drinking coffee or alcohol, chocolate is just a sometimes thing.
I didn’t know serious cases of reflux could cause cancer. I always just assumed it was one of those annoying parts of life you just have to deal with because of something you ate. I only had it when I was pregnant and I hope its the only time I’ll have to deal with it because it was awful!
I had no idea it could cause cancer either. I am three months pregneant now and it is the only time I have EVER experienced reflux. It is absolutely miserable and I pray it goes away once the baby comes.
I had that same problem, and it went away immediately after I had the baby!!
Koon KROctober 28, 2011 at 1:13 pm
I didn’t know it could cause cancer either. I have never had reflux but my sister had it really bad when she was pregnant. I always thought it only happened when you ate something your body didn’t agree with too.
I have heard that reflux can cause damage but did’nt know that it could be as serious as cancer. I thank God for good health He is the only one that has helped me and continues to help me in my health cus I don’t eat like I should.I can see now why heartburn and reflux can hurt so bad that was pretty cool watching how the stomach works it’s almost like a water slide.
in the mouth down the tube into the stomach. Our bodys are so complex it’s amazing to me how God has so fearfully and wonderfully made me and you.
The cancer thing is an eyeopener. I have recently heard of cancer being caused by other malfunctions in the body and prior to this information I always thought it was it’s own thing….smoking contributing to lung cancer makes sense but serious heartburn left untreated can Cause cancer…this is all new to me. I guess as we learn more about cancer we find these contributing factors.
I also was unaware that reflux and gastric problems could cause cancer until my family member got cancer.
Barber JNNovember 11, 2011 at 5:20 pm
The saddest part of the whole thing is that if people (especially those with chronic heartburn or GERD) would control what they ate and use the acid reducing medications sparingly, the cancers caused by the conditions could be prevented. It’s not as simple as “pop a pill. eat a jalapeno, onion burger, and don’t worry about heartburn.” but that is what the media wants us to believe…
vcaneaNovember 27, 2011 at 9:10 pm
I did not know about this either. That is why i enjoy this videos, especialy Dr. Mark Hyman, i always learn new and interesting things.
wevansJuly 24, 2016 at 3:37 pm
Exactly! Why doesn’t someone inform us of these things earlier. All the commercials you see for rolaids and other medications for acid reflux, everyone is aware that it exists, but look at how many of us are shocked to find that it can cause cancer. It seems that somewhere between them making money from the commercials about our problem that there might be a public service announcement about how serious this condition can be instead of being left with the impression that if you take some mylanta everything will be alright.
afriedlNovember 2, 2016 at 6:27 pm
Things like this are always interesting to learn.
AAtkin2020November 11, 2020 at 8:51 pm
It is nice to know that other disorders cause an onset of cancer, it is something i was unaware of. Especially if a disorder goes untreated and leads to a case of cancer.
AAtkin2020
QALJuly 1, 2010 at 11:43 am
I also did not know that acid reflux could lead to cancer. I am really learning a lot about how to change my eating habits to improve my overall health.
Dr. Oz had a show on yesterday about this very thing. What timing.
wallacebaOctober 26, 2011 at 7:15 pm
I’m with you , these videos have been informative and somewhat painful to watch. To think that something like acid reflux can lead to cancer was an eyeopener.
reimershkOctober 24, 2011 at 3:41 pm
I didn’t know this could cause cancer, either. I now understand why my doctor did everything he could to get rid of my very frequent acid reflux (and actually throwing up) a couple of days after my transplant. I completely agree with your comment with the Bible verse!
My LES is working good (knock on wood) I only had heartburn problems while I was pregnant. I thank God that I got lucky there. I heard it is very painful just the short time I had it I was so uncomfortable I wouldnt know what to do if I had a medical problem with it like some people
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interesting info in the second video about acid blocking drugs or proton pump inhibitors like pepcid, prilosec, and protonix. I work in the hospital and almost all of my patients take one of the drugs above. They take them everday usually before each meal. It makes me wonder if they know about the increased side effects from these drugs or only take them because the doctor said to for their heartburn.
I agree with you, I think most of the elderly people take medications just because the doctor said they needed it. Some do not have the knowledge base to understand what to take or what they need.
Yes you are right, and I do know the doctors gets money for doing that as well.
I agree, sometimes it seems like doctors are prescribing medicines just to get the money from you.
I try not to take medications. The side efects are ususally not worth it for the smaller things.
Yes, this is a common thing with elderly people.
Three of my family members take certain medications that cause extra acid reflex. They have to take a acid reflex medication that helps them daily. One of them are looking to switch the medication. It is amazing that some doctors give so much medication that can cause more problems to eliminate only one problem.
Unfornately, this is probably true. I don’t think the doctors prescribe it for monetary purposes, but the eldery don’t have the knowledge or need to question a doctor. Years ago, if the doctor said it , it was golden.
During RN clinical, I noticed that Protonix was pretty much on every elderly patients medication list that I cared for.
This can be quite true. Some people need to try and further their knowledge of what kind of problems they are having and know what certain medicines do for them.
Consult with you doctor before using OTC. We all should read labels and warning on medications. It is a problem when the elderly are over medicated. They not only need smaller doses but run a higher risk for adverse side effects because of they metabolize medications differently.
I agree, I think doctors don’t do enough teaching on the effects of medicine and many people just take them because they think they will help.
BINGO!!! NOBODY GETS A SECOND OPINION
I had to go to the doctor for my shoulder. I made sure to research before going in and I had already done things at home for it but nothing was working so i finally went and I got the medicine I needed. The medicine helped my shoulder feel better and I really needed rest so my doctor gave me a note so I do not go back to work until I had rested.
know what you mean a lot of people take them daily ether from the Dr. or over the counter.
My daughter, me, my whole fathers side have been taking medication for it since I can remember!
I know a lot of people with those same problems!
I use to take pepcid a lot. I didn’t know the side effects. This was a very interesting video.
I think that is a problem with a lot of us patients. I know that I have found myself taking medications prescribed to me without looking into the reason I am taking them, other natural options, or looking at the side effects. After watching this video, I am definitely going to look into different medicine options. I don’t take acid blocking drugs specifically, but I think that these same kind of things can be applied to other types of drugs.
i also agree. alot of people take meds simply bc the doc said to. no one thinks to question the doc bc he is the doc.
My son uses prescription prevacid, but not for GERD. he has a swallowing disorder, and it helps for that too.,
I did not know prevacid could be used to help with swallowing!
Just one more reason I hate to take ANY kind of medication, OTC or prescription. With every label I read on something I’ve been advised to take, I get more and more frustrated with the fact that to cure one problem you may be setting yourself up for another.
Medicines are so frustrating. And yes most likely if your problem is solved by taking a medicine then some other part of the body could be affected.
I completely agree with that. I’ve taken a few medications in my days for post-surgery care. They would help with the healing process but would start up other medical problems that made me have to go back to the dr.
Yes, I agree. Patients need to be educated regarding the side effects and long term health consequences of these medications. I think patients do tend to take things just because the doctor prescribed it.
education is IMPARATIVE
this statement couldn’t be more true I agree 100 %.
Oh I agree 100% sometimes patients will come in and want pain medication even though it would be a short term pain reliever and nothing that helps in the long run.
I think many people are not aware of the side effects from taking prescription drugs or even over-the counter medications. The real answer is to change your diet and what you put into your body. It requires discipline which is often difficult to maintain (otherwise we wouldn’t have so many obese people/children)
Yeah the side effects are normally worse than what the reason for the meds are. Their are other ways people should try before just going to meds.
I agree with you as well medicine are difficult especially the side effects we do not think of them because the doctor has to prescribe them to us
I agree with you as well we do not think about the side effects when taking medications.
I believe doctors get kickbacks from all the drug reps that come into their offices pushing the latest drugs if they prescribe that drug.
If possible I try not to take any medicine at all. Sometimes the medicines that are prescribed aren’t needed at all other times the are very much so.
I doubt the patients know ALL of the side effects. The problem is people would rather break a hip and take medicines before they would change their diets.
My mother takes some of those pills everyday but only because her doctor told her too.
My doctor also gave me instruction to take over the counter acid reducer daily too.
All of these medications now have side effects for the side effects. I think we need to get back to more natural remedies.
Sadly this is so true! In the nursing home, a pharmacy consultant will come through, review meds and the most common recommendation I have seen was to discontinue use of PPI such as pepcid or prilosec due to the use being longer than 6 weeks.
I’ve never really understood the need for protonix. It’s one extra pill that doesnt hep much, but can cost quite a bit!
I myself take acid reducers
That is a good point, I as well, think that elderly people only take medications because this doctor said to. They hardly ever know the side effects of the medications they take.
Sadly, doctors do that kind of thing all the time.
there are side effects to all drugs. Even simple drugs like Tylenol.
I agree every drug is going to affect your body in some way.
I agree completely. Doctors seem to throw medicine at every sick patient that crosses their path, and avoid looking for natural cures.
My mom has been taking this medicine for almost two years, and her depression is bad. Maybe this medicine is not helping her
It’s definitely important to read the labels and know the side effects before taking medications and these videos should serve as a lesson to remember that.
I feel if a doctor prescribes it most don’t question it. I always try to be aware of what medications I am taking and possible side affects
Yes! Very interesting my Dad takes one everyday. so I will be talking to him about this and maybe he can talk to his doctor about it. It seem that the side effects are almost as bad as heartburn.
Most likely because the doctor said to!
I honestly had no idea. Acid blocking medication is such a norm for so many people that I don’t think anyone looks at the side effects anymore.
I completely agree with you. most of my patients had those as PRN and they ask before meal. I do not think they know the side effects. As nurse I will educated them.
It makes me wonder too. I think its an echo resounding throughout all of the medical community. All these drugs are being prescribed for things that simply a change in diet or physical activity would do. Most doctors now days don’t really ask questions to get to the root of your issues. They generalize what your symptoms are and give you a drug to try and fix it. It’s really quite insane that we take them, no questions asked! Then you see all the commercials on tv saying: if you take “such and such” then side effects could be…severe depression or thoughts of suicide. And all you needed was a real person, really looking into your issue relating to your life, and helping you make some better decisions. It’s sad to me. How disconnected we are. A lot of times when I’m out in public I don’t look at people in the face to avoid confrontation, so I don’t have to smile or say hi if I don’t feel like it. But today I did, I looked at so many people and their faces and smiled at them…and they smiled back. I felt connected, at ease…even in public, when I may usually feel distressed and in a hurry. So maybe sometimes it starts with a small change, that soon builds up to a bigger change, that eventually becomes a lifestyle change!
I think this is so sad. My grandparents are on many drugs, and this raises questions if they really need them or if the doctor is trying to con money from them. I hope not.
That is also something I wonder. How does the side effects of the drugs outweigh the benefits of the drugs when both can be very harmful?
YES!!! The hospitals give these out like candy to patients.
i did not know it could cause cancer either that is scary. Luckily i have never had heartburn or reflux problems and i hope i never do. My mom has stomach ulcers and she is always in pain and there is a ton of stuff she can not eat ๐
I am just like you on being lucky about not having relux problems or heart burn.
I have ulcers, and trust me sometimes the pain is intense.
We are very lucky to not have these problems.
Stomach ulcers are terrible and I would wish it upon anybody! I’m sorry she had to go through that
I haven’t been so lucky as to not have heart burn, but I don’t have it as often as I used to. I was surprised to find out that stress can cause it though, and I’m wondering if that isn’t at least part of what caused mine.
My mother in law also had stomach ulcers and it was the saddest thing to watch. She was in so much pain and refused to eat anything because she was scared it would hurt more.
My mother always goes on about having heartburn, I made her watch the first video. She claims that her over the counter medicines help her heartburn but anyone in my household knows that’s a lie, from hearing her constant complaints. I also let her know about the second video that and how they say that acid-blocking medicines are a double edge sward, and that people who take them regularly can become deficient in vitamins and many more horrible long term side effects that she is making herself pron to everyday.
I have never had reflux problems and thank god for that. I had no idea it could cause cancer. My sister and aunt had it really bad during their pregnancies but I wouldn’t know because I have never been pregnant. Maybe my sister has GERD because she still has reflux problems since her pregnancy.
I have never had G.E.R.D either, it was surprising that so many have it and don’t know.
I have never have had reflux problems either. I hope I never have them, some of my family members have it and they hate it!
I liked the second video and the three steps that he gave. I had no idea the industry of acid blocking drugs was so popular or that when it was first made with such a short term use in mind. The idea that they can cause more problems in the long run is something I had never heard. If drugs aren’t the answer it seems that just common sense and making proper choices seem to be , in his opinion.
Acid reflux is not fun- for a very short time (about a week) I had terrible heartburn and acid reflux (thanks to some kidney anti-rejection medicines). Prilosec worked wonders, but I’m glad I don’t need it anymore. I didn’t realize it could cause serious side effects as well.
I have heard of the horrible effects that GERD has on people but i was not aware of it causing cancer. That is so scary. It must be diffucult facing the disorder then having to deal with the worry of maybe having cancer with it eventually.
-JB
I went through nursing school and work in the hospital now and I have never heard that GERD can cause cancer. The second video also described how the medications for GERD can cause cancer. I never realized how important it is to control this condition with food choices and lifestyle alterations vs. meds.
I had no idea it could lead to cancer either. Great to know and learn. It is very scary!
I didn’t know that either. Great information to know.
I agree, its shocking how many have it and don’t know. I feel so grateful that I have never had issues!
I also didn’t know it was cancer causing. This was very surprising to me.
I also found it shocking that GERD can cause cancer! That’s why I think it’s extremely important for us to watch what we put in our body to try and prevent GERD rather than treat it with medicine when and if we get it.
Gerd is not a fun thing to have, when I had my Stomach ulcer , they told me I had gerd too, the stomaceh acid can irritate a stomach ulcer….I am so glad I feel better.
GERD?? WOW so many things I do creates this problem for me. I do not personally use the acid blocking drugs but my boyfriends does everyday! This makes me worried for him since the video says that people who use these drugs may not be absorbing the proper nutrients. Our society is probably full of people with this problems since we are an over weight society that apparently loves to eat. I personally have made a diet change and have not experienced as much acid reflux as I use too. Learning about the possible cancer this problem can cause is a scary thought. Like the video says we would just think it was normal heartburn or acid reflx without seeing a Dr.
My sister has made a diet change as well and hasn’t noticed as many issues with GERD. She does still get ulcers! It seems so painful but she tries not to take any medications.
I had no idea about nexium or prilosec i worked for a GI doctor for a little while and that field is just so interesting to me which really helped me i have uc.
Thankfully, I have never experienced heart burn or indigestion. These videos can be very helpful for people who do have heart burn, GERD, or indigestion. They tell of ways to help decrease incidences and how to avoid it. I was suprised to learn that these problems could eventually lead to cancer.
I never had a problem with heartburn either until late in my pregnancy. I can tell you im thankful it was just temporary!
-JB
My sister said she had heartburn during her pregnancy also, I have never been pregnant but I had heartburn once, and I was not fun.
I love this Dr. Mark Hyman!! He is awesome!! I need him in my daily life to instruct me on what to eat and what not to eat.
I knew that acid blocking drugs were bad if used for a long period but I wasn’t sure exactly how. My husband has terrible reflux and now I can help him with it. I have already started us all on vitamins and other supplements and he is greatful so far.
It is scary to think about what untreated reflux can turn into. I have occasional heartburn, but not bad. I have noticed that if I drink coke closer to bedtime it is worse when I lay down. Now i know to elevate my head to help reduce this and watch my diet.
It is sad because some people will never go to the doctor when they have problems. There is no telling how far a persons issue could progress with not seeing a doctor for it.
I have GERD and also a history of colon and breast cancer in my family, so having reflux is not healthy for me. It is very painful, and not only do you have to be on meds for reflux but also for the ulcers that it causes. It is not a pleasant illness.
RD- yes but it is not common in all patients, my GI doctor told me he doesnt see a lot of cases of cancer caused by GERD, but I am a higher risk for it due to the family history.
RE
I know what you mean I experience a lot of the same problems. I think certain problems associated with GERD can also be hereditary. Me, my dad, my uncle, and my cousin all have problems associated with GERD. I’ve taken Prilosec for years and it helps.
I also liked his tips for dealing with heartburn. I usually just take a over the counter Anti-Acid tablet and it releives the heart burn. The side effects on the Acid blockers sound like something a person should research before taking the medication. Sometimes, I think we had rather have that magic pill to fix our medical problems without having to change our lifestyles, but I think for every medication you take their could possibly be a side effect that needs to be medicated. I like the ideal of finding the cause of the medical condition and chage my lifstyle.
I agree with you, instead of just making medicine, we should get to the root of the problem of our medical issues and change it from there
I had no idea that GERD could increase your risk of cancer. My husband has acid reflux so I guess this is just one more item in a list of many we’ll have monitor as he gets older.
THIS IS SCARYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.I didnt know acid reflux can lead to cancer.i have a real bad case of GERD so i better start taking better care of my health.
EA
Wow! It is crazy that heart burn can cause cancer! I have never heard that before. I have never had heart burn before and I hope to never have it. It freaks me out to know that is actually destroying the esphagus! I never knew that smoking increases the production of stomach acid. That seems so crazy to me! I smoke and knowing all of the bad affects it can have on my body makes me want to quit.
thinking about everything that causes cancer is scary, i am starting to wonder what doesn’t cause cancer????
It seems like everything I eat gives me heartburn! I sometimes get acid reflux also. If I do have GERD it is hereditary because my grandpa and father both have this. I will use the tips that have been given to me to help reduce the symptons.
I like how video one shows images while explaining what happens and what causes GERD. I had no idea chocolate and tomato based foods could trigger reflux. These videos are very informative.
The second video was very helpful for those who do have acid reflux. It gave them information on what foods they should avoid and why. I was unaware that acid reflux could lead to cancer.
Me to! Something that seems like a problem you could go to Walgreens with can be that serious.
Im blessed i do not have heartburn ive only haf it one tome my entire life and it was a very intense pain that i never want to have to feel again.these videos talks about ways to help prevent constent heartburn(GERD) these videos are becoming more informative each week
this is crazy and cancer is scary ๐
So the first video thouroughly convinced me that I have GERD. It says people without GERD only get heartburn occasionally, but I get heartburn ALL the time! It seems like everything I eat gives me heartburn and I also get acid reflux pretty frequently also. I assume that if I do have GERD it is hereditary like it says it can be in the video. I base this assumption on the fact that both of my parents get heartburn frequently too. I am really bad about not waiting 2 hours after eating before going to bed which has probably been contributing to my heartburn, so I am going to try to start eating earlier. I will continue to sleep with my pillows tilted in order to keep my head above my stomach though, I heard this tip a while back and have been trying it and I have to say it does seem to help.
Well first of all I have only had heartburn a few times but everytime thats all that I could think about. It makes you so miserable. Thank God its only been a few times. Now the cancer thing is very interesting, this is the first time hearing that heartburn left untreated could cause cancer. Now the lifestyle changes are good to know but one thing for me is half of them I don’t do to begin with such as smoking, drinking, chocolate I only eat for a week out of a month and thats just a few that I remember off the top of my head.
Acid reflux is a very serious condition. I had no clue that it could lead to cancer. This was very informative
The first video makes the esophagus look like a giant water-slide into a pool! The only time I think I suffered from GERD was when I was in school and ate French Fries for lunch every day. Fatty, greasy foods DEFINATELY make symptoms much worse. I also was unaware that it could cause cancer. Scary… Elevating yourself at night makes a lot of since.
It would seem as though our stumach acid is as strong as the acid that is contained in car batteries. It’s like it can eat through anything and cause permanent dammage.
Lifestyle changes for acid reflux would be so much better than taking drugs to do so. It seems like changes to you diet would lead to a much better lifestyle for the long term. Wow yet another reason to loose weight. It has beeen amazing to me at just how much excess weight afects us on a daily basis. I just keep learning more and more. I love this class!
quite an educative video.i have learned some really new information just by watching these videos.
Wow!! I’ve never had an issue like that. I hope that is not what you have because it seems painful to deal with.
I may have GERD. Possiblely a servere cause i have tried over the counter and scribes and nothing works. It gets so bad that my whole chest has started hurting all the way across. I dont know about my LES. Its gotten so bad i can’t even eat anything with out getting heartburn or reflux. I have tried everything.
Im sorry to hear that! Maybe some ideas from the video will help you to cope in the end. I thank God that I have a healthy body I couldnt imagine what it feels like!
I’m sorry girl! I would defiantly go to the doctor for it, you don’t want it to develop into anything more serious.
I’m so thankful that I have never suffered from acid reflex or heart burn. I guess age makes a difference. I wish I could stay young forever, dont we all! ๐ It was astonishing that reflux causes so much damage to the esophagus and can lead to cancer. The only time reflux has every happened to me was when I was sickly. But, I do have bad gag refluxes when it comes to smells and etc.
I never knew that smoking, coffee, alcholic beverages, soda, and chocolate could inhance heartburn. With elevation of the head, napping after meals, and small poritions we can alter how heartburn affects us.
I was diagnosed a couple of weeks ago with GERD, a hiatal hernia and a bleeding esophageal ulcer. Both of the videos were interesting and helpful. Now I know what my esophagus looks like and what a hiatal hernia is.
My brother has acid reflux so I have seen first hand some of the difficulties that pertains to it. I’m lucky that I don’t have to deal with it, but I’m going to give some of this insight to him so I enjoyed it.
I knew that throwing up was bad on the esaughagus but i had no idea that it could lead to cancer. That realy makes me think about how to prevent myself from ever throwing up again.
i think the issue of throwing up is really bad when it happens a lot and the acid keeps eroding the esophagus.if vomiting was as dangerous as u see it then i think pregnant women would really be in trouble.
I agree. I just think if it happens several times a day, everyday you should defiantly be worried.
Very informative. I have heard of all of the dietary changes except tomato products. That was new to me.
As far as smoking i believe it is up to the individual. They do work as an antidepressant and have a calming effect. I look at it this way. Someone will either die of “cancer” from smoking or not, or die from killing their liver and other vital organs with pharmaceuticals. If we take care of our bodies with a proper diet and exercise I think we can all live long happy lives doing what we all enjoy.
I agree. We are all our own person and so the consequences of our choices we cannot blame anyone else for. I wanna stay healthy and live a long happy life but your right were all gonna die some day no matter what.
I never really understood what GERD was. That video explained alot for me. I loved the animations too. They were just as informative and gave me a better perspective of what was happening
I thought I had Acid Reflux for a while but Im not sure if thats ever what it was. But I don’t have those peoblems anymore. And I didn’t know that it could cause cancer. Thats new to me.
I didn’t know it could cause cancer either. now that i think about it, it kind of makes sense
I knew it could cause cancer, which worries me.
I was oblivious of acid reflux causing cancer as well.
I as well had no idea and it worries me a lot about my mother.
I can honestly say that I have never had heart burn. Possibly some mild to moderate indigestion but never what my friends or family describe to me as heart burn. I hope I never do. ๐
I am GERD can be treated by drugs and eating changes to limit reflux after that last video that looked painful. Increasing acid reducation, and cutting down on fatty foods can cure GERD, but not smoking and eating healthy can stop GERD before it starts.
What Does GERD Do?
I had no idea what GERD was, but this video is very vivid and easy to understand I better understand what acid reflux and heart is. A hernia could cause the LES to stretch, and I didn’t know how importatnt the LES, I see if that is damaged and not working properly someone can be in bad shape. You are at risk to espohigical cancer.
As I mentioned before that I have had reflux problems. When it first happened I felt like the center of my chest was going to burst. The pressure is really painful. I don’t have it any more which I am thankful for. It seems that nutrition plays a major role for our entire body system. My great-grandfather had reflux and gastric problems for years and he would just take tums and tuff it out. Never complained until a gallstone got stuck in a bile duct and they did emergency surgery and found that his gallbladder had ruptured and it was filled with very large stones which turned out to be malignant. If he had gone to the doctor sooner the gallbladder could have been removed and no problems. It pays to listen to our bodies and find out what is wrong in the early onset.
On the part of the video where the esophagus expands into the chest cavity, that alone looks painful. Add some acid in there with it and it must be awful. I’m glad i’m spared from having that. I also didn’t know that sodas and fatty foods added to this problem.
I did not know that smoking increases the production of stomach acid, decreases saliva, and relaxes your LES causing acid reflux and heartburn. Smoking is just a really bad habit that doesnโt have any good side effects.
wow, I didn’t know that it caused cancer, but i know that diet changes are effective.
The times that I have suffered from heartburn it was all I could think about! I can only imagine having it all the time. I would be a wreck. I would be complaining constantely until I had it under control! The lifestyle changes always seem so senseable but…chocolate, coffee, alchoholic beverages, fatty foods…I mean these are things that should always be limited right? The smaller meals and not going to sleep right after eating seem like the most doable. Sleeping with your head higher too seems simple and logical. Smoking …now that is interesting. I waould never have known that it could be a contributor to heartburn…thank goodness I gave that up years ago!
I have only had it a few times myself and thats all I could think about, I felt so miserable. Glad I’m doing somethings right such as not smoking, drinking coffee or alcohol, chocolate is just a sometimes thing.
I didn’t know serious cases of reflux could cause cancer. I always just assumed it was one of those annoying parts of life you just have to deal with because of something you ate. I only had it when I was pregnant and I hope its the only time I’ll have to deal with it because it was awful!
I had no idea it could cause cancer either. I am three months pregneant now and it is the only time I have EVER experienced reflux. It is absolutely miserable and I pray it goes away once the baby comes.
I had that same problem, and it went away immediately after I had the baby!!
I didn’t know it could cause cancer either. I have never had reflux but my sister had it really bad when she was pregnant. I always thought it only happened when you ate something your body didn’t agree with too.
It is an awful feeling and it’s scary that it can cause cancer.
It’s scary to think that acid reflux could lead to cancer. I had no idea either!
I haven’t had reflux yet in my pregnancy but I don’t look forward to it
I have heard that reflux can cause damage but did’nt know that it could be as serious as cancer. I thank God for good health He is the only one that has helped me and continues to help me in my health cus I don’t eat like I should.I can see now why heartburn and reflux can hurt so bad that was pretty cool watching how the stomach works it’s almost like a water slide.
in the mouth down the tube into the stomach. Our bodys are so complex it’s amazing to me how God has so fearfully and wonderfully made me and you.
The cancer thing is an eyeopener. I have recently heard of cancer being caused by other malfunctions in the body and prior to this information I always thought it was it’s own thing….smoking contributing to lung cancer makes sense but serious heartburn left untreated can Cause cancer…this is all new to me. I guess as we learn more about cancer we find these contributing factors.
I also was unaware that reflux and gastric problems could cause cancer until my family member got cancer.
The saddest part of the whole thing is that if people (especially those with chronic heartburn or GERD) would control what they ate and use the acid reducing medications sparingly, the cancers caused by the conditions could be prevented. It’s not as simple as “pop a pill. eat a jalapeno, onion burger, and don’t worry about heartburn.” but that is what the media wants us to believe…
I did not know about this either. That is why i enjoy this videos, especialy Dr. Mark Hyman, i always learn new and interesting things.
Exactly! Why doesn’t someone inform us of these things earlier. All the commercials you see for rolaids and other medications for acid reflux, everyone is aware that it exists, but look at how many of us are shocked to find that it can cause cancer. It seems that somewhere between them making money from the commercials about our problem that there might be a public service announcement about how serious this condition can be instead of being left with the impression that if you take some mylanta everything will be alright.
Things like this are always interesting to learn.
It is nice to know that other disorders cause an onset of cancer, it is something i was unaware of. Especially if a disorder goes untreated and leads to a case of cancer.
AAtkin2020
I also did not know that acid reflux could lead to cancer. I am really learning a lot about how to change my eating habits to improve my overall health.
Dr. Oz had a show on yesterday about this very thing. What timing.
I’m with you , these videos have been informative and somewhat painful to watch. To think that something like acid reflux can lead to cancer was an eyeopener.
I didn’t know this could cause cancer, either. I now understand why my doctor did everything he could to get rid of my very frequent acid reflux (and actually throwing up) a couple of days after my transplant. I completely agree with your comment with the Bible verse!
My LES is working good (knock on wood) I only had heartburn problems while I was pregnant. I thank God that I got lucky there. I heard it is very painful just the short time I had it I was so uncomfortable I wouldnt know what to do if I had a medical problem with it like some people
Me either. the only thing really would be to pray for healing, and to begin to eat properly.
Im beginning to think my LES doesnt function properly. I think I have GERD! Well it may not be that serious!