As a sufferer of this disease, I would like there to be further study within other areas of potential treatment. While the article here notes the usual refrain: "He and other experts noted the benefits of P.P.I.’s must be weighed against their risks", the prospect of other modes of treatment is worthy of study, in particular what the link is between GERD and carbohydrates. Many of us who have taken PPIs for years have already suspected side effects such as nutritional deficiencies, as well as "withdrawal" effects that would appear to make PPIs a habit-forming medication (there is conflicting research on this, but for example http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19362552 finds a link).
From http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16871438, "A very low-carbohydrate diet improves gastroesophageal reflux and its symptoms": "Obese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may experience resolution of symptoms utilizing a very low-carbohydrate diet. The mechanism of this improvement is unknown. ". Why don't we figure out that mechanism? I already have abandoned the usage of PPIs after I suffered feelings of chronic weakness after years of use, and instead I eat a lot less carbs - if I spend a few days eating extremely low carbs, I do in fact seem to notice my GERD disappearing entirely.
From http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16871438, "A very low-carbohydrate diet improves gastroesophageal reflux and its symptoms": "Obese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may experience resolution of symptoms utilizing a very low-carbohydrate diet. The mechanism of this improvement is unknown. ". Why don't we figure out that mechanism? I already have abandoned the usage of PPIs after I suffered feelings of chronic weakness after years of use, and instead I eat a lot less carbs - if I spend a few days eating extremely low carbs, I do in fact seem to notice my GERD disappearing entirely.