•  severe allergic reaction
• tightness in chest
• bloody stools
• bone pain 
• irregular hear beat
• fever
• chills
• sore throat
• severe stomach bleeding
• swelling of the hands or feet
• tiredness
• vision changes
• yellowing of the skin
• In fact, in May 2010, the FDA warned people taking medications like Prilosec, Protonix, and Nexium that prolonged use increases the risk of hip, wrist, and spine fracture!

You need to know there is a better way!

As a wellness doctor my mission is to educate people that drugs are not the answer to improve body function and overall health.  In fact, I know the more prescription drugs you take, the sicker you become.  Prescription drugs are needed in many cases but not until all other safer and natural options have been exhausted.  So let's look at acid reflux in a way that keeps our body functioning better.

 First, instead of looking at acid reflux as you body malfunctioning, lets look at why you have it.  Back in high school chemistry we learned about acidity and alkalinity.  These are opposite ends of the spectrum and need to be in balance to create good body chemistry.  Lets suppose after getting into a heated debate with your boss, you go home, eat five tacos, drink a six pack of beer, and then go right to sleep.  You will, more than likely, develop acid reflux symptoms.  Your body responded appropriately to the environment you provided by producing copious amounts of acid.  Your body did nothing wrong, YOU DID!  Instead of recognizing this, you swallow a couple pills, which blocks your body from making the acid it needs to and you don't feel the pain.  Therefore, you can continue to make those poor choices next time, knowing the pill will make you "feel better".  

Instead of living a cycle that obviously is proven to not work, try to incorporate these wellness solutions into your life.

1. Have some form of stress management in your life.

2. Exercise (this can be a form of stress management).  This acts to help maintain proper body alkalinity and avoid chronic sympathetic distress.

3. Avoid drugs when all possible.  All drugs (prescription or not) are toxic!

4. Incorporate more alkaline foods in your lifestyle.  Think Green!

5. Have a wellness chiropractor on your health care team to make sure your nervous system is working to heal your body and not in sympathetic distress.  Chiropractors work with the nervous system to help reduce nerve stress and keep the body functioning optimally and avoid Dis-Ease.

The next time your body is experiencing symptoms.  Ask yourself, "why is my body giving me these symptoms? I want to know the cause of the symptoms and not cover them up with drugs."