Pain, Depression, and Reflux

Hazel Said:

Acid Reflux Cure. What is this stuff about apples I hear? ?

We Answered:

Good thing you are seeing a doctor. You might have ulcer that requires antibiotics besides anti-acids (anti-histamine as zantac/pepcid or proton-pump inhibitors as Prilosec). That could explain why it is getting worse and not better.
Also, you might have problems with the Pyloric sphincter, and acid is leaking into the esophagus, which in many instances might require surgical intervention.
Advice, don't waste your money on some apple scam. Try some extra strength Gaviscon or Maalox that will coat the stomach/esophagus and might help with the discomfort.
Avoid acidic foods (pop, tomato), caffiene, and alcohol.

Jim Said:

How do you feel about things like homeopathic remedies for babies?? Colic Calm?

We Answered:

Homeopathy has become a marketing term, and the companies that use it make millions of dollars selling mostly placebos and fakery to people who really want to believe. Companies WANT you to think "oh, I've heard about homeopathy for years, so it must work."

What is homeopathy?
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Classical homeopathy originated in the 19th century with Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) as an alternative to the standard medical practices of the day, such as phlebotomy or bloodletting. Hahnemann's theories were based on metaphysical energies rather than on biology, anatomy, chemistry, etc.

Classical homeopathy is generally defined as a system of medical treatment based on the use of infinitesimal amounts of substances that in larger doses produce effects similar to those of the disease being treated. For example, the homeopathic remedy for sleeplessness is a highly diluted dose of caffeine. Hahnemann believed that very small doses of a substance could have very powerful reverse healing effects because their potency could be affected by vigorous and methodical shaking (succussion).

So in other words, if you put a tiny amount of some ingredient in water, then shake it, then dilute it, then shake it more, then dilute it more, eventually you'll have an effective medicine.

Homeopathic dilutions
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Homeopathic dilutions are indicated by letters like X or C. "X" means dilute 10 to 1. So a dilution of 6X means do a 1 in 10 dilution six times. Or, in other words, 1 part ingredient, 1,000,000 parts water (six zeros). "C" means dilute 100 times. So a 6C dilution means 1 part ingredient, 1,000,000,000,000 parts water. You can find many homeopathic remedies available with 30C dilutions - you do the math. And the totally ridiculous bit of advertising - the bigger the dilution, the "stronger" the medication.

Here is a useful table of homeopathic "potentencies" and their dilution rates (0.1ml of original ingredient):
6C = 4 Olympic class swimming-pools.
13C = 3/4 of all Earth's oceans.
16C = Sphere of water the size of Earth.
19C= 10 Spheres with same diameter as our Solar System
22C = 1 cubic light-year
26C = 1 Sphere with same diameter as the Milky Way

Another example, the very popular homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum 200C is made with a 1 in 100 dilution performed 200 times. That's 1 part ingredient in 1 followed by 400 zeros parts water, then sprinkled on a sugar pill. Now, physics will tell you that there is not a single molecule of duck liver on your sugar pill.

In summary, the homeopaths are scamming you. They're selling you WATER. Or, they're selling you a sugar pill on which water has been sprinkled!!!

Hahnemann came up with his ideas before we knew what molecules were. So when molecular theory came along and proved that many homeopathic remedies didn't have even a single molecule of the original substance, homeopathy proponents like Jacques Benveniste tried to prove that water "remembered" the original ingredient. (1) They never explained how the water "remembered" the homeopathic ingredient but didn't "remember" the copper pipes, glass jars, or fish poop from the lake it came from. (2) Benveniste was completely discredited when it turned out his lab technicians were altering data so that their boss would have positive results.
http://br.geocities.com/criticandokardec…


Do Homeopathic Remedies work?
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Because it has marketing appeal, "Homeopathic" is used as a label on many things, including soothing creams and herbal remedies that are NOT classic homeopathic dilutions. An herbal remedy may work just fine, but it is just like any drug, and should come with all the same testing and warnings as any drug. However, the classic homeopathic dilution liquids and pills do NOT work better than water or sugar pills.

1) Large scale, well-designed studies of homeopathic dilutions find they work no better than placebo. (But don't underestimate the power of a well-delivered placebo to cure somebody's complaint. Just don't use it for cancer or malaria or AIDS, etc.)

2) Many of the people who point to studies and say "See! This study says it works" are pointing to the same set of studies by Reilly published in Lancet in the early 90s. Nobody has been able to independently repeat Dr. Reilly's results.

3) There is a million dollar prize available from JREF for anyone who can show, under reasonable scientific controls, that homeopathic dilutions work better than placebo. The prize has been available for over a decade, and nobody has claimed it. Here is an example of a failed attempt: http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s…

4) No homeopathic practitioner (or anyone else) can tell the difference between a vial of homeopathic dilution and plain water.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/200…

5) James Randi regularly demonstrates homeopathic remedies do nothing by taking an entire bottle of Calms Forte - a homeopathic sleep aid. Even though the box says "warning, don't exceed recommended dosage", the entire bottle of pills has no effect on Randi or on anyone else.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=…

In short, homeopathic pills/dilutions don't work any better than sugar pills.

Why does the FDA allow ineffective "medicines" to be sold?
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Because of their long use in the United States, the U.S. Congress passed a law in 1938 declaring that homeopathic remedies are to be regulated by the FDA in the same manner as nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, which means that they can be purchased without a physician's prescription. Today, although conventional prescription drugs and new OTC drugs must undergo thorough testing and review by the FDA for safety and effectiveness before they can be sold, this requirement does not apply to homeopathic remedies. In other words, the FDA gave anything with the words "homeopathic" an exemption from the requirement to demonstrate that they're effective.

Most people know that the herbal remedy St. Johns Wort can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. However, unlike herbal remedies, there are no "drug interaction" warnings for homeopathic remedies. Why? Because they don't do anything.


Conclusion:
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If you can be cured by placebo, then by all means, continue supporting the imaginative people who dream up all the different homeopathic remedies. But you should look at the price on the box and ask yourself: Is this a lot to pay for sugar pills and water?

Fernando Said:

Is Prevacid really safe for infants?

We Answered:

My baby was just prescribed prevacid as well and I have been very hesitant to use it. But we believe she is in pain and we have exhausted most other remedies. We just had our first dose last night and I noticed she pooed a LOT more this a.m. - like three times in 2 hours.
My doctor said the benefits outweigh risks because, while some level of reflux is normal, a high level can damage baby's esophagus. So, we're trying it for that reason.
I know this doesn't really answer the question, but I guess I would just say weigh the severity of your own baby's condition against the risks. Good luck!

Kathy Said:

Chronic Cough will not Go Away!?

We Answered:

go get some Reiki done and see if that helps.... also Cranial Sacral is really good for your nose drip because it actually moves the bones in your head to help oxygen and blood move more freely.... i would also say get some Acupressure done, it will help balance out your Chi and get you feeling better.... Also when i get like that i drink hot green tea with 2 menthol coughdrops and a bit of sugar or honey!!!! the heat will clear your sinuses and the tea and coughdrops will calm your throat!! it works for me every time, i promice :) good luck!!!

Jerome Said:

What are best natural remedies for GERD?

We Answered:

I am not a doctor, so either way you will want to talk to them, but this is what I have to say as a long time sufferer of Acid Reflux (G.E.R.D.)!

Three part answer information, what not to do, and what to do!

INFORMATION!!!!!!
I have a very severe case of Acid Reflux (G.E.R.D.). I have had to go to the hospital for some of the heartburn that I have had because the pain can become overwhelming or your breathing can be effected. It can be caused by Smoking, Drinking Beverages with caffeine (My case), Drinking Beverages with Alcohol, or can be Hereditary

The good thing about G.E.R.D. is that it can be a temporary thing and can be cured. It is never a permit thing even if you end up with it for the rest of your life it has the ability to be cured.

G.E.R.D. is caused by too much acid being created in your stomach. This can lead to or cause ulcers, esophagus damage, heartburn and/or damage in the mouth.

WHAT NOT TO DO!!!!!!!!
In most cases, stress is a factor to the reflux if you watch what you eat and reduce some of the stress it will help. If you watch what you eat for about a week you should find relief, if you do not then that is when you definitely what to listen to the doctor. Things to watch for are as follows:

Fatty Foods
Citrus Foods
Foods That Contain Grease
Fried Foods
Chocolate (including any Coco)
Caffeine
Smoking
Alcohol
Tomato Based Products
Lactose

WHAT TO DO!!!!
The two foods that I recommend is Black strap Molasses and Raw honey. The apple is better for night time reflux while these will work for just about all of it. What you will do is take about a tsp. of whatever one you chose. Molasses being the better because of strength and nutrition, but must be use to the taste. What the substance will do is stick to the sides of the esophagus and do two things, one is heal and the other is protect.
On the healing end, both substances have a healing property in them, and as they sit on the walls of the esophagus they will heal it. This is also helpful if you have a sore throat in the morning from refluxing.
On the protection end, both substances are high in sugar and when acid that is refluxed comes up to that the sugar will neutralize it and it will not longer be a problem at that point.

I would also look to putting Cinnamon and Ginger root in you diet, they have been know to help with digestion and will help you reduce the amount of acid needed to brake down food, therefore causing you to reflux less.