The acid that is secreted by the parietal cells in the human stomach play a couple of very important roles.  First off, it helps to break down proteins so that nutrients are more available in the intestines and easily absorbed.  Stomach acid is important for calcium absorption, among other nutrients.

Stomach acid is also an important part of the immune system of the digestive tract.  Acid kills many of the organisms that we are commonly exposed to and helps to prevent infection.

Over the counter and prescription medications used to treat heartburn or GERD focus on reducing stomach acid production.  As I mentioned in the previous post, stomach acid is not the cause of heartburn - it is caused by a loose lower esophageal sphincter.

Consistent with the physiological importance of stomach acid, recent medical research indicates that medications that lower stomach acidity are associated with an increased risk of infection (gastrointestinal and pneumonia!) and osteoporosis.  Another of the known adverse effects of these medications is hair loss - treated naturopathically with specific nutrients.

The natural treatment of GERD involves identification and avoidance of aggravating foods and herbal and nutritional recommendations that soothe and protect the esophagus while improving gastrointestinal function.  Discontinuance of acid lowering medication and WITHOUT GERD symptoms is a real possibility for many patients.

Be Well,

Richard

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New research in the British Medical Journal indicates that when infants have wheezing due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), high dose steroids do not reduce the occurrence or severity of wheezing.  The study’s conclusion is that steroids should not be used for wheezing in in infants with RSV induced wheezing.

RSV is a common viral pathogen that causes inflammation of the small airways in the lungs.  Like many respiratory tract infections, it is more likely to be serious in infants and young children.  It is a common cause of hospitalization for respiratory tract infection in children younger than 1 year old.

What can you do to prevent RSV?  Several things for starters:

• Breast feeding your infant is probably the best way to prevent infections
• Make sure that mom is eating well and has good nutrition so that her baby does too.  Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D are important; they can be found in a good multi-vitamin. Essential fatty acids from fish are important, too.  Sugar and other simple carbohydrates tend to lower immune function.
• Keep your infant and young child away from friends and family members that are sick
• Wash your hands regularly
• Wipe down surfaces with 91% isopropyl alcohol - do not apply to your child’s skin because they can absorb it easily and it can hurt your baby