Series from dust jacket.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 41-144) and index.

A very widespread problem -- A medical mistake? -- We need stomach acid -- Stomach acid declines with age -- What really causes heartburn -- What else might cause acid to back up into the throat? -- Why antacids might make the situation worse -- Why do antacids appear to help-at least temporarily? -- What is really happening? -- Doesn't everybody "know" that antacids are the stomach medicine of choice? -- What drug companies actually say -- Don't many doctors agree with the drug companies? -- Doesn't the government support the use of antacids? -- Why antacids may be bad for your bones -- So acidity in the stomach and acidity in the rest of the body are two separate issues? -- Other medical conditions associated with low stomach acid -- Antacids and stomach ulcers -- Additional medical conditions that might be indirectly linked to low stomach acid -- Side effects of prescription-strength antacids -- The case against antacids -- The alternative approach to stomach problems -- Finding an "integrative" doctor who may be more open to alternative approaches.