Medication

The real question here is whether you want to rely on the experience of your qualified medical practitioner, pharmacist or doctor for your medication or investigate the contents of your store cupboard, pantry or larder.

Either way, it is essential that you discuss your chosen medication with your doctor so that you have some degree of comfort about your actions. In real terms most people are happy to rely on their doctor but are troubled by the possible side-effects that are listed on all prescription medication. The likelihood may well be small but they still leave a nagging doubt and are often exaggerated in the occasional press reports of the results of some medication.

If you are happy to follow your doctor's advice, it is likely that you will be prescribed either antacids, alginates, H2-blockers, proton pump inhibitors or perhaps a motility stimulant. Antacids can be bought over the counter and have been a reliable source of relief for many folk over a number of years and are effective because the constituents of aluminum or magnesium counteract the strong acid from the stomach which is causing the discomfort. Alginates are somewhat different in that they stop the digested food coming back through the esophagus.

H2-blockers restrict the production of acid from the stomach although many doctors think these do not work quite so well. Therefore, the doctor may well increase the dosage or switch you onto more potent medication. If these, or the basic antacid do not have the desired effect, your medical advisor is likely to prescribe a proton pump inhibitor which will drastically reduce the creation of any acid. Another possibility is a drug known as a motility stimulant which is effective in speeding up the pace of emptying the gut. All of the foregoing work in most cases with varying degrees of success although many folk are concerned that the problem is not solved and merely contained.

There is a school of thought which believes that most digestive problems can be solved by greater attention to a lifestyle majoring on quality foods, sufficient exercise and general stress-free approach to living. As well, there are a number of remedies passed down within families that seem to be effective although not many people are so forthcoming about those that do not work.

Here are a few which have been successful for some people:

• Ginger
• Honey
• Herbal Tea
• DGL - De-Glycyrrhizinated Licorice
• Aloe Vera
• Tangawisi Juice
• Yellow Mustard

Ginger is often seen as a cure-all but, nevertheless, it has its devotees and for many people it does have some value. There is little doubt that ginger is useful in dealing with queasy tummies and ginger tablets are an invaluable aid on some short sea trips.

Honey is useful for many things and is accepted by some people as a universal panacea. However, a word of caution here, for we are not speaking about any old honey as there is some evidence that Active Manuka Honey is a cut above the rest.

Herbal tea is another of the favorites which always comes up in discussing digestive ailments. Special favorites include Chamomile, Anise Seed, Cinnamon, Peppermint, Slippery Bark Elm and Fennel.

Licoriceor to be precise DGL - De-Glycyrrhizinated Licorice – is well thought of by some folk for its natural properties and is seen by them as one of nature’s many cures. Taken as tablets, well-chewed and digested for about 10 – 15 minutes before a meal, it certainly does the trick for some people.

Aloe Vera is another from the universal book of miracle cures provided by Mother Nature. Some folk believe that a small glass of Aloe Vera juice before a meal is effective.

Tangawisi juice is probably new to many people but here again it has its supporters although the thought of mixing mango juice with crushed ginger might deter you although the resultant drink will cure most stomach ailments – or so the story goes.

Mustard is the last of the home remedies and this version dates back to the Spanish explorers of the 15^th/16^th Century. Apparently, one teaspoon of yellow mustard will zap your heartburn in just five minutes.

Numerous folk say they have found a natural medication to cure digestive ailments and who is to deny them if it helps them. Nevertheless, it is likely that often the supposed remedy simply acts as a placebo and becomes the long-sought cure-all medication.

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