Q I've been taking stomach medication for over a year, but when I stop I quickly get bloated and have burning pain again. Can I live without medication?
A Acid-suppressing medications only temporarily mask symptoms while the weakened gastric environment remains unchanged, making relapse likely when you stop. If the weakened gastric function is restored, it is possible to aim for a state that relies less on medication.
Detailed Answer
Proton pump inhibitors and mucosal protective agents are effective at quickly relieving symptoms, but if the underlying condition of reduced gastric mucosal self-healing capacity and motility function remains, discomfort often returns when the medication is stopped. The longer the dependency, the more burdensome stopping becomes.
Korean Medicine Perspective
Korean medicine treatment focuses on regulating the spleen and stomach function to create a gastric environment where the mucosa recovers on its own and food is comfortably digested. As symptoms stabilize, we adjust things so that the current medication can be gradually reduced without difficulty, rather than stopping abruptly.
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