GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) is not actually a disease. A condition is brought on by poor eating habits. Eating the wrong food and not chewing your food properly is the main cause of acid reflux. This condition can be overcome with proper eating habits. An

acid reflux diet is your best option to get back on a healthy eating track.

If your acid reflux flares up at night then you could be eating too much at dinner or too much before bed. Eating large meals will cause the stomach to produce too much acid. Try to eat smaller and more frequent meals during the day. Including foods that are high in complex carbohydrates are good for an acid reflux diet. These foods include rice, pasta and breads. They can tie up excess stomach acid, thus making them easier on your stomach.

If you are serious about an acid reflux diet then you will want to avoid foods that are high in fat content. These foods remain in your stomach longer, which requires more stomach acid to aid in the digestion of these foods. Beer is a common contributor to acid reflux because it doubles your stomach acid in just one hour. Wine and pop also are contributors to acid reflux.

Not everyone’s acid reflux diet plan is the same. There could be foods that trigger it for you and for someone else; those same foods may not cause a problem at all. It is important to see a doctor, because they can help you work on a plan that is best suited to you. You can then experiment with different foods to determine what the main culprits are in your diet.

Regardless of what you ultimately decide on for your own acid reflux diet plan, other factors that will help you deal with this condition. Do not lie down right after you have eaten a meal. You should remain in an upright position for at least forty-five minutes after eating. When you do lie down, elevate your head about six to eight inches.

In conclusion, if you suffer from an acid reflux condition, consult a physician and start to work on changing your eating habits. You will be thankful that you have taken that first step to an acid reflux diet.

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Acid reflux is a gastro esophageal reflux disease. Individuals that suffer with acidity damage the esophagus. Increased acid reflux from the stomach can lead to a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus.

However, several sources on Internet claim that certain kinds of apple help acid reflux. Modern science also points towards the stomach as the cause of acid reflux. The same approach is followed for treating acid reflux.

To understand the causes of acid reflux, you should first understand the disease. This is the reflux of gas and sometimes fluids up the esophagus. This is as a result of a faulty esophageal sphincter which connects the stomach and the esophagus.

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There are, however, cases where acid reflux in infants can become severe and cause serious problems. If you suspect that the acid reflux symptoms that your baby is exhibiting are more severe than normal such as excessive bleeding or loss of appetite, talk to a doctor right away. The acid reflux has now become more of a danger to your baby and should be evaluated for treatment. Your baby’s doctor will monitor any changes in your baby’s eating and digestive habits.

Acid reflux can occur if an adult has a hiatal hernia, or in children if their esophagus is not developed completely after birth. The result is that stomach acid, instead of stopping in the esophagus, comes up into the throat and burns. Acid reflux can be particularly painful to newborns, and it is becoming more and more common in them today. In adults, acid reflux can be also manifest itself as heartburn after eating spicy food.

However, it can be equally as difficult for family members to cope with a chronic indigestion and acid reflux sufferer. After a great deal of research I discover that with the proper use of herbs, health store items, meditation, exercise and diet, one can heal themselves of acid reflux.

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Acid reflux, sometimes known as GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease), is an irritating and sometimes hurting condition that occurs when acid and other materials in the stomach back up into your esophagus, creating a excruciating, burning feeling and sometimes causing permanent damage to the lining of the esophagus (the muscular tube that leads from your throat to the stomach).

The majority of times during acid reflux, food from the stomach stay in the lower part of the esophagus, where they can cause heartburn and nausea. Seldom, the stomach materials will reflux all the way into your mouth. But when this happens, the acid will cause a burning feeling in your throat, and you might find small, undigested pieces of food in your mouth.

What Causes Acid Reflux?

A defective lower esophageal sphincter is usually held responsible for Acid reflux. The esophageal sphincter is a strong rim of muscle that surrounds the lower end of the esophagus. When food is eaten, the sphincter contracts powerfully to drive the food into the stomach.

When the sphincter is not tough enough to force the food into the stomach, or when the sphincter does not push and simply relaxes, Acid Reflux occurs.

Other culprits connected with acid reflux consist of a hiatal hernia and a “weak” or “slow” esophagus that doesn’t contract strongly enough to move the food to the stomach in a timely manner.

What Are The Symptoms To Look For?

There are many possible symptoms that a doctor will test for, since it varies among individuals. The occurrence and intensity of symptoms can also vary from occasionally to daily, and mild to severe.

One of the major symptoms of acid reflux disease is a burning sensation in the chest that occurs after intake of food. This sensation may last a few hours and become worse if one lies down after eating. The burning can also travel up into the throat area, and there might be a sour taste in the mouth. Occasionally, an individual will develop a cough or become hoarse as a consequence of this burning in the throat and chest.

If no treatment is sought to the point of damage to the larynx, respiratory problems may develop, scar tissue might build up in the esophagus causing swallowing to be difficult and medical treatment will be essential to prevent more damage.

How Is Acid Reflux Treated?

Medications are available to help ease the discomfort of acid reflux disease. However, for greatest benefit, doctors also suggest lifestyle changes. They include:

Weight Loss

Although the reasons are not clearly understood, overweight group tend to be more at risk for acid reflux disease as compared to people with normal weight. Research shows that losing just 10% of your body weight can ease the symptoms of acid reflux.

Abstention From Smoking And Drinking

Nicotine is thought to weaken the esophageal sphincter, as with Alcohol. Production of excessive acid might also be caused by the two.

Staying Upright For At Least 45 Minutes After A Meal

Straight away after eating, acid fills your stomach as it works to digest the foods you have consumed. Lying down during this time is most likely to cause the acid to flow into your esophagus. Gravity will help keep the acid in the stomach if you sit or stand upright.

Eat Several Small Meals A Day Instead Of Three Big Ones

More acid is needed if more food is consumed to digest it. Having numerous small meals is much easier on your digestive system, thus reducing the chance of acid reflux disease occurring.

Avoid Clothing That Is Tight Around The Waist

Tight clothing will force food and acid up against the esophageal sphincter. A damaged sphincter will allow the contents to flow back into the esophagus with unlikable results.

Avoidance Of Fast Foods

Nearly all fast foods are high in fat. More acid is produced due to Fatty foods, which can result in increased symptoms of acid reflux disease.

In addition, over-the-counter medications are available to ease symptoms. Histamine Receptor Antagonists, like Pepcid and Zantac, work by decreasing the amount of acid in the stomach. Mylanta and Tagamet, on the other hand, work to neutralize acid.

Finally, if the symptoms persist, doctors may recommend proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium and Prevacid. They prevent the discharge of acid into the stomach and intestines. Lastly, Reglan, a promotility agent, may be used to force the esophagus to empty more quickly and to speed digestion.

Because acid reflux disease (GERD – Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) affects more than 60 million people in the United States it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms that it can cause. The symptoms of acid reflux disease are varied and can be different among its million of sufferers. Some people have regular symptoms through out the day while others may only get them after they eat certain foods. No matter the cause a visit to the doctor at the first signs of symptoms is the best course of action to help prevent this condition from becoming more serious.

Acid reflux is a condition that can happen to anyone at any age including babies, children, teenagers, adults and the elderly. It can also happen at anytime with heartburn being one of the first symptoms you will notice. When stomach acid flows back up the esophagus you get heartburn or acid reflux. For most people this happens after eating certain types of food, which can vary from person to person.

The main symptom of acid reflux is a burning sensation in the chest and throat that begins soon after eating. Of course the best way to avoid this is to avoid those foods that cause the symptoms. This can be hard for some people because it might be hard to make that choice of eliminating their favorite foods from their diet, but if it means gaining relief from the pain and discomfort of this condition then it might be a small price to pay.

It is important to consider these dietary lifestyle changes because left untreated acid reflux disease can lead to more serious complications. The acid from your stomach will begin to damage and destroy the lining of your esophagus if the symptoms of GERD are ignored. This will also cause other problems such as a chronic cough, choking, nausea, and vomiting, particularly after meals. You will also begin to suffer from hoarseness caused by damaged vocal cords.

The most severe of all acid reflux disease symptoms is Barrett\’s esophagus, in which the lower lining of the esophagus is damaged by repeated exposure to stomach acid. This abnormal change in the cellular structure of the esophagus is a pre-malignant condition that is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer of the esophagus.

Most doctors are able to make a diagnosis of acid reflux disease by simply finding out what the effecting symptoms are. Once diagnosed it becomes important to make dietary changes that will mitigate the affects of this disease. If changes in diet do not quell the symptoms then it will become necessary to treat the acid reflux with either over the counter or prescription medications. Your doctor can help you find what will best work for you.

Acid reflux, also known as GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease) is the phenomenon where stomach juices including acid travel back (reflux) to the esophagus from the stomach. Research done recently shows that some one in five people in the developed world must put up once a week with symptoms related to acid reflux, while a further one in five suffer from the distress and sometimes pain of these symptoms at least every month. However, most patients do not really know what GERD is.

What are the local causes of acid reflux?

Gastro esophageal reflux disease happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (the name for the circle of muscle that is the valve between the stomach and the esophagus) does not shut correctly and lets stomach juices be thrown back up, or reflux, into the esophagus. When the esophagus lining is impacted by these juices, this produces the burning sensation in the chest and/or the throat, which is called heartburn.

Although it seems strange, heartburn may also be symptomatic of too little stomach acid. The level of stomach acid has to be enough for digestion to be effective, and prevent the stomach from being obliged to work much harder for the food to be digested. In time, the extra effort of the stomach can lead to acid reflux happening.

As well as the immediate factors leading to gastro esophageal reflux disease, there are also genetic factors (beyond our control) and several other internal factors and cofactors, that make for a context encouraging GERD. A long-term solution can only come from treating the internal factors primarily responsible for causing GERD.

What are the symptoms of acid reflux?

Healthy people also get occasional heartburn, and this alone does not mean that you have a gastro esophageal reflux disease. Diagnosis of GERD is typically based on a recurring (twice weekly or more) manifestation of heartburn. Symptoms may be different for some GERD patients, such as chest pains, morning hoarseness or problems swallowing. Other patients experience a sensation of food getting stuck in their throat or choking or stricture. Recurring dry coughs are also symptoms for this last group of patients.

What are the dangers of acid reflux?

Neglected GERD can have not only unpleasant, perhaps painful symptoms, but can also generate grave complications. Firstly, tissue damage scars can cause constriction of the esophagus and problems in swallowing. Secondly, gastric acid can inflame the esophagus over time to lead to ulcers or bleeding. Thirdly, some victims can develop a condition where cells in the lining of the esophagus take on abnormal shapes and colors, a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus. Protracted Barrett’s esophagus may result in cancer, notably for adults who are more than 60 years old.

Solutions for acid reflux

Treating gastro esophageal reflux disease can be done in one of three ways: a surgical operation; prescription or over-the-counter medicaments; and holistic therapy, using dietary and lifestyle changes, detox, and specific herbal supplements. In very many cases, gastro esophageal reflux disease can be resolved and stopped by natural solutions, avoiding the dangers of surgical treatment or prescribed medicaments. This holistic approach to GERD is also confirmed by a review of recent research that indicates that acid reflux is a medical condition provoked mostly by factors of diet, lifestyle and behavior.

So what is acid reflux? Seen in the context of conventional medicine that compares it to other similar recurring conditions, acid reflux is to be treated by constantly ingesting drugs, antacids and over the counter medicament that only bring temporary relief.

Seen from the holistic viewpoint, gastro esophageal reflux disease is the danger signal for a major internal imbalance that must be corrected. Alternative treatments for GERD therefore (homeopathic cures, herbal treatment, diet and lifestyle alterations and detoxification), by solving the internal cause of acid reflux, are inherently better compared to conventional cures that only bring superficial relief.

There is one thing that is certain. If you have acid reflux disease you will know it without much of a doubt. There are enough symptoms that will tell you there is something seriously wrong. Chances are the occasional heartburn does not qualify as acid reflux disease. This is just a little upset stomach that occurs only after you eat or drink certain things. Chronic heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux disease.

If you are a sufferer,  the acid reflux disease symptoms you have may be:

1. Chronic Heartburn

2. Pain in the chest

3. Problems swallowing

4. Hoarseness, dental problems and asthma

5. Bringing food back up into the mouth

There are other minor symptoms that can be associated with acid reflux such as wearing tight pants. They can push on the stomach thereby making the acid in the stomach work its way into the upper stomach and right on up to the esophagus. This can happen especially after eating a heavy meal.

If you have acid reflux on a regular basis you probably have GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease). In essence, what happens is the stomach starts doing its job by digesting the food using acid and enzymes. This makes its way into the small intestine normally but if you have acid reflux, it goes into the esophagus instead. This causes swelling and damage to the esophagus.

There are many foods that cause this problem. Some are more prone to cause the problems of acid reflux. If you have noticed after you eat chocolate or drink a cup of coffee, you have exhibit acid reflux disease symptoms, then this is something that does not agree with your stomach and should be avoided.

Eating should be avoided several hours before retiring for the night. When you lie down with a stomach full of food, this is inviting acid reflux. The food starts to digest and the stomach acid starts building and when you lie down, suddenly you are in terrible pain and you feel as if you are going to vomit. Sitting up relieves it a little but not entirely. Once it has started, every time you swallow your chest feels as if it is on fire.

Sometimes we think that drinking milk will help the acid reflux.  In some people it does, but in others it does not. This is because it goes into the stomach and mixes with the acid and all of a sudden you have sour milk as well as whatever else you have consumed. There are a few things that will help such as antacids, but they only help for a short time. Some people have reported when taking the mint flavored antacids they actually made the heartburn worse. This may be why antacid is not recommended for those suffering from heartburn that is a symptom of GERD.

Two more things that can worsen the symptoms of acid reflux are being overweight and being pregnant. This is due to the extra pressure on the abdomen. This in turn pushes on the stomach contents and into the esophagus they go.  If you are suffering from frequent heartburn and have any or all of the acid reflux disease symptoms mentioned above you should seek the advice of your doctor.

Acid reflux disease, or GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) for short, is a condition in which the contents of the stomach, usually digestive acids, move back up the esophagus. This acid is not something the esophagus is supposed to have in it and as a result when reflux occurs a whole host of symptoms can begin. The first thing most people notice heartburn or minor discomfort but as the condition worsens there can be a bitter taste at the back of the throat, pain, burning and eventually damage to the esophagus and larynx.

There are many ways to treat the symptoms of acid reflux disease but the first thing you need to do if you suspect you have this condition is visit your doctor so you can be properly diagnosed. Treating yourself for a condition you don’t have is not always a good idea, although most treatment options for acid reflux are nothing more then lifestyle changes which in the long run will benefit your overall health. Below you will find 5 quick tips that can help relieve the symptoms of acid reflux.

1. Dietary Changes – Learning which foods set off your acid reflux and avoiding them is a good first step. It also helps to eat smaller meals because the bigger the meal the more acid your stomach produces to digest its contents. Fast food should also be avoided because of its high fat content which seems to exacerbate symptoms in most people.

2. Weight Loss – Losing weight has been shown to help those who suffer the affects of acid reflux. Because fatty foods and foods with high sugar content are known to make it worse it only makes sense that cutting back on these foods will help reduce symptoms and lead to weight loss as well.

3. Gravity Works – If you suffer from acid reflux you may notice that it gets worse when you lay down, particularly after eating a big meal. The problem is that if you lie down right after eating the excess acid your stomach secretes has a much easier route into the esophagus. You need to give your stomach a good hour or two to digest its contents before lying down.

4. Cigarettes and Alcohol – Stopping smoking and practicing moderation with alcohol have both been shown to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Both of these habits weaken the esophageal sphincter which is the muscle that closes the esophagus off from the stomach. The high sugar content of alcoholic beverages also causes an excess of stomach acid to be secreted.

5. Chew Gum – Chewing gum causes salivation and saliva is the body’s natural anti-acid. As you swallow the saliva released by chewing gum it neutralizes the acid that is moving up the esophagus and in the stomach.

6. Medications – There are a whole group of over-the-counter and prescription medication available to control the effects of acid reflux. It is best to talk to your doctor about these options and be sure to report any side affects they may cause. Your doctor can help pick the medication that will work best for your particular problem.

Before giving a brief overview of various acid reflux treatments, I will discuss the immediate physiological reasons of acid reflux (also known as GERD – gastro esophageal reflux disease) and the medical condition. Acid reflux solutions can be put into three main divisions: surgical operations; prescription or over-the-counter medication; and holistic, 100 per cent natural programs.

The primary symptom of acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a nagging feeling of burning in the chest and the throat. This is produced when stomach acids splash back into your esophagus. The backwards flow (reflux) of these acids can give a variety of symptoms: a salty taste in the mouth, coughing, pain in the chest, nighttime attacks of asthma and hoarseness.

Acid reflux is, speaking technically, the result of valve mechanical failure, this valve being located at where the stomach and the esophagus meet. When the valve called the lower esophageal sphincter or LES fails to shut correctly, the gastric contents are thrown back up into the esophagus. Heartburn is then the result of the gastric acid burning into the esophageal lining.

As mentioned above, several different methods exist for tackling acid reflux, each approach with its own perception of the condition. When surgery is performed for gastro esophageal reflux disease, parts of the stomach are wrapped around the lower esophagus to prevent reflux of gastric content from touching the esophagus. Thus, surgery for gastro esophageal reflux disease has the objective of resolving weakness of the LES, by strengthening it to prevent acid from contacting and inflaming the esophagus.

In general, acid reflux medicaments have the goal of reducing an excess of acidity in the stomach. Regrettably, these medicaments are typically only effective as temporary relief and cause numerous secondary effects. And yet, medicaments, whether prescribed or over-the-counter, are very popular for treating GERD, including H2 blockers, antacids and PPIs.

Medication only targets the skin-deep symptoms of GERD. This is the big disadvantage of treatment offered by conventional medicine for gastro esophageal reflux disease, which includes surgical and medicinal approaches.

The real remedy for acid reflux must tackle the deeper problem instead of constantly limiting its action to attempting to stop or alleviate only superficial physical symptoms. Gastro esophageal reflux disease is a complex condition. It is the result of a combination of factors including diet, lifestyle and behavior.

Holistic treatment, based on changes in lifestyle and diet (avoiding acid triggering foods, decreasing and controlling stress, improving sleep, etc.) as well as detox and the use of specific supplements derived from herbs, is the only solution aimed at treating the internal factors of acid reflux instead of the local causes. Different to other short-term solutions that try to focus on immediate relief from often painful and handicapping acid reflux symptoms, the holistic approach treats acid reflux in an all-natural and comprehensive way that can stop and block its recurrence securely and effectively.

Acid reflux is medically referred to as Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). As the name indicates, this is characterized by the reflux of stomach acids into the esophagus. It is a very common problem and many of us would have surely faced the symptoms of acid reflux. Symptoms of acid reflux disease are heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation of food into the mouth etc. Often the burning sensation or the heartburn gets so worse, that it seems to be a heart attack. Occasional symptoms appear because of eating of spicy foods or indigestion. But if these occur 2-3 times a week, then it surely indicates that there is something wrong with the digestive system.

The most common trend that people follow is to pop up an antacid. Though there is nothing wrong in doing, and it certainly gives instant relief, but for how long?

Acid reflux is an internal digestive system disorder where the lower esophageal sphincter valve opens up under acidic pressure, causing the undigested food and acid to be thrown back into the food pipe, causing an irritable burning sensation in the throat area. This internal problem can be permanently treated only by surgery but in 95% of the cases, lifestyle changes and medications give substantial relief. Surgery is done in very rare conditions.

Acid Reflux Medicine and You

There are N numbers of reasons that can cause acid reflux problem. Some of these being wrong food habits, hiatal hernia, pregnancy, obesity, undeveloped sphincter valve as in case of infants, etc. Among all the above mentioned reasons, the most commonly seen is wrong food habits.

To eliminate the reason of wrong eating habits, one needs to follow an active lifestyle and develop a menu plan that needs to be followed religiously. By observing the symptoms and reaction of your body towards various food products, one may be able to judge which foods to be included and which to be eliminated. Though the guidelines that are compulsory for every acid reflux diet include, avoiding rich and spicy food, food cooked in excess oil or fat and excess carbohydrates.

In cases where lifestyle changes have little or no effect whatsoever on acid reflux problems, these can be combined with medications. Medicines for acid reflux can vary from over the counter medications to prescription medicines.

Nowadays, even some prescription medications are available in lower strength as over the counter medicines. However, it is always better to consult a physician before administering any drug for acid reflux relief.

Alternative approaches to treat Acid Reflux

One of the alternative approaches mentioned above is making lifestyle changes. The other approaches are avoiding bed at least 2-3 hours after meals, keeping the headboard of your bed inclined by around 30 degrees, sleeping sideways etc. Then there are herbal and homeopathic medications that seem to be side effect free and are considerably effective in treating acid reflux problems.

Though the alternative medications work quite well, but chronic acid reflux can best be treated using prescription medications suggested by doctor. The doctor may take some time to decide on the most effective medication for you before advising you for tests such as endoscopies, barium X-Rays etc.

Acid Reflux Medications and how they work

A good number of antacids are available over the counter and these provide instant relief from acid reflux by stopping the burning sensation or heartburn. But regular use of antacids is not recommended. Mylanta, Gelusil are the most popularly used antacids. Then there is a group of medication known as H2 Block Receptors. These are not so fast in action as the antacids, but they work by reducing the amount of acid being produced by the stomach. Ranitidine, Famotidine, Cimetidine are some mediations belonging to this group.

Apart from these, there is yet another group of mediation which is known as the proton pump inhibitors which work by actually promoting the healing of the esophageal lining, caused by constant acid attack. Nexium, Prilosec are some drugs under this category.

Though, there are a number of medications that can be taken for relief from acid reflux, these are recommended for short term use. Each of these medications comes with its own set of side effects, most of which are upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting etc. The symptoms however, subside after a few days use. In cases where there can be prolonged trouble, the physician should be consulted.

Final Word about Medications

Medications are prescribed for relief from acid reflux problems. But it is to be kept in mind that lifestyle changes are a must and it cannot be compromised or neglected just because one is taking medications. Acid reflux, if chronic can cause a severe damage to the esophagus lining and can give rise to cancers of the esophagus. Medications should be judiciously used after consultation with a physician and in proper dosages.

Many people suffer from heartburn, that uncomfortable burning sensation that occurs just under the heart, from time to time, but if it occurs regularly and gets progressively worse there is a good chance that acid reflux disease is the culprit. The burning and discomfort is caused by stomach acid that is back flowing into the esophagus, the tube that runs from the throat to the stomach. The esophagus does not have the same protective coating of mucus that the stomach and can be damaged by stomach contents that get regurgitated into it. Acid reflux, also know as Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) affects millions of people every day.

Heartburn normally occurs after a large meal has been consumed and everyone seems to suffer from it from time to time. If you are having symptoms consistently over a period of two or more weeks it may be a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the possibility that you have acid reflux disease.

Doctors know that acid reflux is caused by a weakening of the esophageal sphincters that are supposed to keep the contents of the stomach from flowing back into the esophagus but they still do not know what causes this weakening and failure of these important checkpoints. Taking the proper steps to control it using diet, exercise, stress reduction, and over the counter medications does make this a manageable condition.

There is a whole list of things that can set off acid reflux or make its symptoms worse. These can include certain types of foods and drinks like onions, certain spices, chocolate, fatty foods, caffeine and alcohol. Other lifestyle choices that can further exacerbate the symptoms of acid reflux also includes smoking, obesity, and in certain cases pregnancy, which puts excess pressure on the stomach forcing its contents back up the esophagus. By making changes in all these areas the symptoms of acid reflux disease can be managed and controlled.

If no steps are taken to prevent GERD it long term affects can cause irreversible damage to the lining of the esophagus. This can include ulcers, scarring, and a narrowing of the esophagus which lead to problems with swallowing. It can also damage the larynx which can cause hoarseness and loss of vocal ability. There is also a concern for a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which is damage caused to the lower portion of the esophagus by gastric acids. This can lead to a pre-malignant condition which is associated with the development of esophageal cancer.

In addition to lifestyle changes and antacids the most predominant treatment for acid reflux disease symptoms are proton pump inhibitors and prokinetic agent medications. These are particularly useful for those who suffer from chronic symptoms, but it always important to talk to your doctor before starting any form of medical or drug therapy.