Medications are wonderful and can be life-changing when they work well with limited side effects. For many of us though, we want as little medication in our bodies as possible. Starting just one new medication can lead to a vicious cycle where you continually need more medications to cover up the side effects of other medications.
When it comes to heartburn, many people need a combination of lifestyle changes and medication to manage their symptoms. Even then, it’s difficult to completely eradicate symptoms of heartburn. Common symptoms include a burning feeling in the chest and a sour taste in the mouth.
Those who suffer from heartburn — one of the main symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — know that finding remedies and relief is important. Sufferers aren’t alone either; 30 percent of people in the United States suffer from some type of heartburn.
Many people who suffer from heartburn took the medication Zantac, however new dangerous side effects (a cancer causing chemical was found in the drug) were discovered and last year the medication was recalled completely from the market.
According to new research, lifestyle changes can make an even bigger difference for heartburn than previously thought. The study examined information from over 42,000 women and showed that five specific lifestyle factors can have a significant impact on heartburn.
The study was conducted via the Nurses’ Health Study II, which is an ongoing cohort study that began in 1989. The participants in the study regularly responded to questionnaires, which included information about heartburn in 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2017. The women were aged 42-62 years during the time of the study.
According to the new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, five lifestyle changes may be the answer.
Doctors have long advised lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms of heartburn, but this is the first study with such clear support for these changes. The five lifestyle factors the authors of the study reported are:
The study purported that women who adopt all five lifestyle changes could see a reduction in heartburn symptoms by 37 percent. Statistical analysis showed that the more lifestyle factors the women followed, the fewer their symptoms. Even if people only adopt one change, they’re likely to see additional changes. For example, increasing physical activity might lead to weight loss. The extent of the improvement could even mean dropping medication for some people.
In the past, recommendations to change lifestyle to improve symptoms of GERD were based less on evidence. The recommendations made sense and many people saw improvements when implementing them, but there weren’t solid studies to back that up.
The lifestyle changes in the study were so effective that they matched the typical effectiveness of common heartburn medications. Now that this study has provided concrete evidence for these lifestyle factors, healthcare providers may be able to help their patients better control heartburn. It’s possible that patients will adhere to these recommendations more strictly now that they are backed by science.
For patients who aren’t able to successfully follow all lifestyle changes, incorporating just one lifestyle change along with a traditional heartburn medication may be beneficial as well. People who aren’t able to find complete relief on medication alone will be happy about this finding.
If you believe that you or a loved one were harmed by taking Zantac, you may be entitled to compensation
We are here to help you and loved ones advocate for justice. Feel free to send us any questions you might have, either about an injury or the process for pursuing justice so we can help you exercise your rights.
© Copyright Jazz Media Ltd. 2021. All rights reserved
We are here to help you and loved ones advocate for justice. Feel free to send us any questions you might have, either about an injury or the process for pursuing justice so we can help you exercise your rights.
© Copyright Jazz Media Ltd. 2020. All rights reserved