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GERD

What are the symptoms?

• Pressure in chest
• Nausea
• Worse with eating or fasting

What is Gastroesophageal reflux disease? (GE.R.D.)

• Stomach acid is needed for digestion
• Stomach acid should ideally stay in the stomach
• When the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes, acid creeps up into the esophagus
• The problem is NOT too much acid
• The problem is acid in the wrong place

Anything that relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter makes GERD worse

• Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Peppermint
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Age

When you go to the doctor they will put you on H2 blocker or PPI

• Which blocks acid production
• BUT the problem is NOT too much acid
• Its acid in the wrong place

 

When you block acid with H2 and PPI

• You can’t digest your food well and then you get worsening digestive issues
• Acid is needed to keep the correct acid / base balance
• Decrease your acid and you can get bad bacterial overgrowth.
• Increase in bad bacteria can cause worsening sxs

Other dangers of these medications

PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors)

FDA warnings

            long–term use of PPIs: risk of fractures, low magnesium leading to muscle cramping, , Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea, vitamin B12 , kidney issues (acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), and Lupus,  and stroke

No big deal right?

How do we treat/fix this?

• Don’t just put a bandaid on the problem with antacids
• Reduce bacterial overgrowth
• Digestive enzymes
• Lower carbohydrates
• FODMAP diet
• FODMAPs are certain types of carbohydrates that are
• poorly absorbed by some people
• Avoid artificial sweeteners
• Lower fiber.
• Avoid things that relax the lower esophageal sphincter

Safe natural remedies  things that help (I have found)

• Apple Cider Vinegar / Pickle Juice
• Works like digestive enzymes
• Licorice (this works soo well)
• Tea, DGL supplements

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults