Treatments for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - Essay Example

Treatments for GERD People nowadays live in a fast-paced environment that requires them to work hard and pay less attention to eating and taking care of their body. In particular, the working population tends to eat out most of the time at fast food chains just to fill in their stomachs with something to help them survive through the day. Pre-occupations in their job sometimes prevent people from eating on time, thus leading to gastrointestinal problems. The US Department of Health and Human Services (2009) reported 60-70 million people with digestive diseases, among which is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This disease is affecting more and more individuals each day, including very young children. This paper investigates two kinds of treatment for GERD, one is FDA-approved and the other is not. Looking at their advertisements and reports of use online, the paper determines which treatment is better for patients with GERD. GERD is becoming more and more common nowadays and what was once thought as a simple nuisance related to eating has now been recognized as a disease (Maranto, 2001). GERD is characterized by acid reflux coming from the stomach and reaching the esophagus, causing the patient to vomit, feel uneasy, suffer from chronic cough, laryngitis, abdominal pain, dysphagia, anemia, weight loss, or even asthma. There are some cases where the patient even experienced heartburn (FDA, 2008), making the symptoms quite vague to determine. Some experience reflux after eating a large meal or enjoying their favourite dish. This led to the belief that GERD is triggered by some food ingredients. Still others thought the disease is caused by overeating, thus they watched their diet but still experienced the same problem. Although the main cause of GERD was not yet revealed, experts have made different solutions to remedy the problem. On the conservative side, people were asked to watch their diet, eat nutritious food, and avoid stress. However, others were prescribed to undergo surgery, which did not help as patients experienced more problems later on, including cancer of the esophagus (Tygat, 2002). Experts have yielded to the belief that surgery is least required; therefore resorting to medical treatments. The two treatments investigated in the paper are Nexium and Betaine Hydrocloride (Hcl) with Pepsin. Approved for drug use by the FDA for the treatment of GERD including young children age 1-11 years (“Nexium”, 2008), Nexium is composed of esomeprazole magnesium in liquid and capsule form. It is manufactured by AstraZeneca of Wilmington, DE and is typically known as the purple pill because of the purple lining in it. Nexium is particularly prescribed for patients suffering from GERD, including young children. Children Ages 1-11 years can be given 10-20 mg daily, while patients 12-17 years can take 20-40 mg for short-term treatments. Components of the medication are found to decrease the amount of acid in the stomach and help heal erosions in the esophagus lining, known as erosive esophagitis. However, patients taking Nexium may experience side effects such as diarrhea, headaches and nausea. In this regard, the advertiser recommend the patient to seek the doctor’s advice. User reviews of Nexium in the Everyday Health web site confirm the effectiveness of the treatment for GERD. Most of those who tried the drug reported relief of heartburn and gastric pains. Conveniently taken, patients reported taking it everyday as a maintenance drug and not worrying about side effects of prolonged use. One reviewer of the product claims having used it for ten years now and without feeling any side effects. Another user reports having suffered from extreme GERD in the past and giving up coffee and smoking just to avoid the pains but not succeeding. When he took Nexium, he got rid of the pains and the hassles he encountered during long drives. Still another user talks about how expensive Nexium is but being convinced by its effect in fighting GERD. These user reviews help to convince GERD patients to use Nexium as part of their daily routine. In the advertisement for Nexium (youtube.com, 2008), the physician talks about the cause of acid reflux and how excess acid can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and other symptoms. According to the advertisement, Nexium prevents overflow of acid when taken before meals. Doctors usually prescribe Nexium for the duration of 4-8 weeks, depending on the patient’s case. The youtube advertisement for Nexium claims the effectiveness of the drug for GERD by featuring a doctor, dressed in a laboratory gown at a small clinic. The doctor encourages people to use Nexium but also advises people to go by their doctors’ prescription. Another product used to treat GERD is called Betaine Hydrocloride (Hcl) with Pepsin. This product is currently sold in the market by various food supplement companies. FDA-approved for use as a food supplement, Betaine Hcl has not been approved as a treatment for GERD but the advertisers of the product claim its effectiveness. Specifically, modernherbalist.com promotes the use of Betaine Hcl they are producing. According to the modernherbalist site, Hcl has three important functions (“Betaine Hcl”, n.d.). These include acting as a primary digestive juice to break down proteins and helping in their assimilation. When protein intake is well assimilated, they are digested fully and do not react with other substances that are present in the body. In addition, Hcl acts as a barrier that kills harmful micro-organisms that are found in our food. We cannot be sure of the micro-organisms that are present in the food and drinks we take in, which could cause activation of several enzymes that can cause acid reflux and other reactions. Hcl acts to kill those harmful organisms, thus preventing not only GERD but other illnesses as well, such as amebiasis, salmonellosis, and other diseases caused by food bacteria. Furthermore, Hcl functions as a venting mechanism to prevent the building up of excessive concentrations of hydrogen ions in the blood and interstitial fluids. When we consume acid-forming foods or do acid-forming activities, the stomach uses up considerable amounts of the acid forming material (hydrogen ions) that assist in the elimination of excessive tissue acidity. Hcl regularizes the stomach acid combined with food thus preventing certain illnesses such as ulcer, hyperacidity, kidney stones or renal failure. Between the two cures for GERD, Betaine Hcl seems to promise more positive effects as it neutralizes the acid in the body. While Nexium only prevents acid reflux, Betaine Hcl also cleanses the body and fights bacteria we take in. Also, in contrast with the advertisement for Nexium, modernherbalist.com does not make use of graphics to explain the relief caused by Betaine Hcl. Instead, it uses a lengthy text that explains the nature of GERD and acid reflux, the reasons for having it, the proper way to take the product, and some precautions similar to following the doctor’s advice and discontinuing use if acid reflux worsens. The advertisement is quite more appealing in that it talks comprehensively about the problem caused by GERD in a straightforward manner, no fancy laboratories and graphics. Nevertheless, people who are conscious about FDA approval will be discouraged to use Betaine Hcl. The two advertisements on treatments for GERD provide relief to patients by claiming effectiveness of the products. However, the FDA-approved Nexium can be more in demand with its availability and ease of use. Moreover, being sold at drug stores, the source of Nexium can be considered more reliable than the other product. Nevertheless, those who are trying to rid of synthetic cures that are said to cause side effects later on may be more inclined to take Betaine Hcl due to its nature as a food supplement. In addition to modernherbalist.com, other web sites recommend the use of Betaine Hcl for eliminating GERD (--). This site appears more convincing than the two advertisements as the advice comes from a person who experienced using different products to cure the problem. Although the writer is neither a physician nor an advertiser, his recommendations are well-taken because he provides choices for people suffering from GERD, thus establishing wide knowledge of the cures. Likewise, resorting to more natural remedies which are cost-efficient makes the web page more attractive to people with GERD. References Betaine hydrochloride (hcl) with pepsin. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2012, from http://www.modernherbalist.com/betaine.html FDA approves nexium for use in children ages 1-11 years. (2008). Retrieved December 1, 2012, from http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2008/ucm116863.htm Maranto, G. (2001). As acid reflux cases rise, doctors are asking why. Retrieved December 2, 2012, from http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/11/health/as-acid-reflux-cases-rise-doctors-are-asking-why.html Nexium (esomeprazole). (2008). Retrieved December 2, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEKFVBbhABE Tytgat, G. (2002). Review article: treatment of mild and severe cases of GERD. Ailment Pharmacology Therapy. Vol. 4; 73-38. Read More