Is there a good alternative treatment to Nexium?

Nexium is usually used when there is reflux of stomach contents up the esophagus. The acid in the stomach is harmful to the tissue of the esophagus, causing a burning sensation or chest pain, and the condition eventually changes in the esophageal tissue to what we call Barrett’s esophagus, which is a precursor to esophageal cancer.

The problem is that the sphincter at the junction of the upper stomach and lower esophagus is open, thus permitting acidic stomach contents to reflux. Nexium is called a proton pump inhibitor.  It decreases the production of acid in the stomach. This makes the reflux less damaging to the esophagus. Unfortunately, it also inhibits the breakdown of food (especially proteins) that only the stomach can do, thus impairing later absorption.

Treatment starts with understanding some of the causes of sphincter dysfunction. Certain foods seem to make reflux worse.   The trigger can be a different food in everybody. Carbohydrate ingestion is the most likely, with meat proteins next most likely. All pro-inflammatory foods need to be stopped by everybody who wishes to be rid of the problem–sugar, processed foods with trans-fatty acids and additives, alcohol, caffeine.

If that does not help, try a form of licorice called DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice [you see why it is called DGL]). This is extremely helpful if there are ulcers in the stomach. Mastic gum will help with inflammation in the stomach lining. A non-processed form of vitamin E oil, which is not well absorbed but can coat the lining of the esophagus and stomach, can be used for protection, but it may not necessarily help with the cause.

Some people can stop Nexium cold turkey, but there is often a rebound over-production of gastric acid formation in the stomach, requiring weaning down off the drug over a few weeks time. As your body gets healthier over time, the likelihood of resolving the reflux problem is great.