Articles categorized as Indigestion

Why Popular Heartburn Drugs PPIs Are Linked to Premature Deaths

Acid-suppressing drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are go-to drugs for heartburn. Should you be concerned that PPIs are linked to premature deaths?

Podcasts

Show 1336: How the Antiviral Gut Tackles Pathogens from the Inside Out

Dr. Robynne Chutkan describes the importance of healthy gut microbes in helping the immune system control pathogens from the inside out.

Podcasts

Show 1292: Natural Ways to Treat Heartburn (Archive)

Although PPIs like omeprazole are immensely popular, there are natural ways to treat heartburn. Tune in to the broadcast 3/11/23 to learn more.

Can Taking a Probiotic Product Help You Sleep Better?

A reader found that taking a probiotic product for better digestion also improved sleep. Studies support this observation.

Does Your Medicine Pose a Cancer Risk?

Establishing a drug-induced cancer risk may take 5 to 10 years or longer. The FDA rarely requires such long-term research. What can you do?

Are Heartburn Drugs (PPIs) Linked to Stomach Cancer?

Heartburn drugs (PPIs) are hugely popular. Doctors prescribe them in enormous quantities and they are widely available over the counter. Is there a link with stomach cancer?

Babies Fed Formula Have Less Healthy Gut Bacteria

Newborn babies fed formula have less diverse intestinal microbiota. Bacteria they host are more likely to have antibiotic resistance genes.

The Zantac – Ranitidine Weirdness Just Got Stranger

What are we to make of FDA flip flop flips on ranitidine/Zantac? For many people the ranitidine weirdness is overwhelming. Now Zantac is BACK!

Podcasts

Show 1224: What Is the Best Way to Manage Your Heartburn? (Archive)

Learn the best way to manage your heartburn without relying too heavily on PPI drugs like Nexium or Prilosec. Does diet help?

Podcasts

Dr. Marvin Singh Tells You How to Establish Healthy Gut Balance

Dr. Marvin Singh, integrative gastroenterologist, offers insights on how to recover a healthy gut balance after it has been disrupted.

Show 1179: What Should You Do About Digestive Distress? (Archive)

Listen to find out when your digestive distress might signal a serious problem and when you could manage it at home with simple remedies.

How Does Baking Soda in Water Fight Swelling?

A dose of baking soda in water signals the spleen to produce anti-inflammatory immune cells. This may help reduce swelling.

Ranitidine – Zantac is Going, Going Gone At Last!

Have you ever taken Zantac or ranitidine for acid stomach, indigestion or heartburn? Tens of millions of people did. Now, Zantac is going to disappear. Why?

Can You Relieve Heartburn With Vinegar?

Many people have found they can ease heartburn with vinegar. When will scientists study this remedy so we will know whether or how it works?

Apple Cider Vinegar Is a Weird Remedy for Heartburn

Taking a spoonful or two of apple cider vinegar mixed in water is a popular remedy for heartburn. While not everyone finds it helpful, many people do.

Can Prelief Prevent Indigestion from Coffee?

Do acidic foods and drinks give you heartburn? We're talking about tomatoes, orange juice and wine. What can you take to prevent indigestion from coffee?

Podcasts

Show 1189: What the Heck Should We Be Eating?

If you've ever wondered, "What should we be eating?" you'll want to listen to Dr. Mark Hyman tell why cooking tasty food doesn't have to take lots of time.

Will Intermittent Fasting Give You Heartburn?

Some readers report that intermittent fasting reduces their symptoms of heartburn. For others, however, fasting triggers indigestion.

Another BP Nitrosamine Drug Recall and Zantac (Ranitidine)

You won't believe this. There is a nitrosamine drug recall for the BP med losartan. Other countries are recalling ranitidine (Zantac) for heartburn. Why?

European Drug Regulators Recalling Zantac (Ranitidine) – FDA Not Yet!

Why are drug regulators recalling Zantac in Canada and Europe? Why is the FDA biding its time? Is there a reason to worry about a carcinogen in ranitidine?

Must You Take Acid Blockers For the Rest of Your Life?

Some people need acid-suppressing drugs forever. That would include those with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. But not everyone needs acid blockers for life.

Viagra (Sildenafil) Triggers Both Erections and Heartburn

The erectile dysfunction drugs relax smooth muscle. The result is both erections and heartburn, helpful and undesirable effects.

Do PPI-Type Acid-Suppressing Drugs Cause Allergies?

A new study from Austria suggests that acid-suppressing drugs cause allergies such as hives. There are even elegant explanations why it could be true.

Thyroid Trouble Was Behind Stomach Problems

A reader describes how effective treatment for hypothyroidism reversed low stomach acid and overcame stomach problems and Barrett's esophagus.

Falling Asleep with Zolpidem | Waking up with Heartburn

Millions of people have insomnia. Many try falling asleep with zolpidem. But the drug can cause indigestion. Waking up with heartburn at night is not nice.

Aspirin and Ulcers: A Potentially Deadly Reaction

You've heard of Excedrin, right? Do you know what's in it? Aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine. Be alert for aspirin and ulcers. Hemorrhage is a risk.

Will Getting to Sleep Wreck Your Digestion?

A popular sleeping pill, zolpidem, might wreck your digestion. Be sure to use it only short term to avoid serious problems.

Yet Another PPI Complication | Acid-Suppressing Drugs and Liver Cancer?

Millions of people take powerful acid-suppressing drugs every day. They are thought to be so safe you can take them without medical supervision. A new PPI complication may have emerged.

Can You Fight Bacteria with Viruses?

Bacteriophages, viruses that fight bacteria, may help physicians reduce the burden of antibiotic resistance by offering an alternative to overcome infection.

Why Papaya for Heartburn Is Surprisingly Helpful

PPIs like Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium are popular for indigestion. They have side effects, though. What about papaya for heartburn? Why was this remedy ignored for a century?

Skimping on Magnesium May Mean Trouble Sleeping

When a medication leads to low magnesium levels, you might have trouble sleeping. Restoring magnesium with supplements could help.

Licorice Side Effects Can Be Scary If Not Life Threatening

Licorice seems like an innocuous indulgence. Too much can lead to life-threatening licorice side effects. What about DGL? Is deglycyrrhizinated licorice safe?

What Are the Most Dangerous Drugs for Older Adults?

Are you an older adult? Have you ever heard of the Beers list of PIMs (potentially inappropriate medications)? There are many dangerous drugs that should rarely be prescribed to older people.

How To Choose Safe and Effective Over-The-Counter Medicines

Do you play doctor by medicating yourself or those you love with over-the-counter medicines? Do you understand the pros and cons of such drugs? Our faves and our fears on OTC meds!

How to Use Baking Soda to Ease Indigestion:

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a simple and inexpensive remedy for heartburn. But what about the sodium content? Is so much sodium bad for your health?

Do Zolpidem (Ambien) Side Effects Include Horrible Heartburn?

If patients are warned about Zolpidem (Ambien) side effects they may be told about morning hangover or driving impairment. Indigestion may not be mentioned.

Is Black Poop Something to Worry About?

If you are taking Pepto-Bismol for indigestion, nausea or "overindulgence" you can anticipate a black tongue and black stool. Do not freak out. It's common.

Can Probiotics Reduce Inflammation and Improve Health?

Probiotics in foods and supplements may help protect the digestive tract from damage, reducing inflammation and improving health.

Is the FDA Biased Against Dietary Supplements?

Why do health professionals and FDA officials seemingly downplay the dangers of drugs while warning people about dietary supplements? It's a mystery to us.

Add Strokes to the Scary List of PPI Side Effects

The list of serious PPI side effects keeps expanding. Add strokes and heart attacks to several other complications like infections, fractures and dementia.

How to Ease Indigestion Without PPIs

What is the safest way to ease indigestion? Many people pop PPIs or antacids without a second thought. Such OTC drugs seem super safe. Is long-term use OK?

How to Improve Digestive Health with a Poop Transplant

A poop transplant that alters the disturbed microbiota of a diseased digestive tract can provide surprising relief from diarrhea, pain and other symptoms.

Are PPIs Messing Up Your Kidney Function?

How to Stop Prilosec by Taking Papaya

Could papaya enzymes help control the horrible heartburn associated with stopping a PPI medicine such as Prilosec?

Why Are Americans Now Worried About New PPI Side Effects?

Millions loved acid suppressing drugs for decades. Reports of PPI side effects didn't daunt them. But a new German study about dementia has people worried.

Are Your Kidneys in Danger from Heartburn Drugs?

People often take heartburn drugs for granted. But research confirms that powerful acid-suppressing drugs have unexpected consequences that can be serious.

Bitters Are Not Just for the Bartender

Swedish bitters made from herbs have a long history of use for improving digestion.

Treating Indigestion with Natural Products

Great-Grandmother’s Indigestion Remedy with Vinegar and Honey Conquered Upset Stomach

Honey and cider vinegar mixed in water makes an old-fashioned indigestion remedy that saved the evening for a restaurant owner.

Exotic Radish Alleviates Indigestion

Almonds Worked against Indigestion

Heartburn

You can manage occasional heartburn with home remedies or OTC medications. More frequent symptoms deserve medical attention.

Ambien Can Cause Indigestion

Many people who have a hard time falling asleep turn to Ambien for help, but they may not realize that their sleeping pill could be causing indigestion.

Cutting Carbs Controls Indigestion