Acid Reflux

Is it Heartburn or Acid Reflux? (aka gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD)

Occasional heartburn is often treatable with over the counter medications or dietary modifications. However, if you have any of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing acid reflux: continued symptoms more than 2 weeks after treating with OTC meds, waking at night with heartburn, bringing up bits of food or excessive gas in your mouth, burning in the back of the throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, worsening of asthma or a new cough, worse when lying down or if your symptoms interfere with everyday living activities.

People with longstanding, untreated chronic heartburn are at risk for serious complications such as narrowing of the esophagus or a potentially pre-cancerous disease called Barrett’s esophagus.[1]

Conventional Treatment

The three main types of medicines to treat acid reflux symptoms or those caused by GERD are antacids, histamine type 2 receptor antagonists (H2 blockers) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Should these not work or more serious intervention is needed, doctors will sometimes recommend surgery to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter. Unfortunately, this surgery is not a cure and symptoms may return.

• Antacids – give quick relief, which is fine if you are having occasional issues from something specific such as a spicy meal or overeating. Chronic use of antacids (like Tums) has a long list of side effects you don’t need![2]
• H2 Blockers – such as Pepcid, Tagamet and Zantac work more slowly than antacids to reduce stomach acid and take longer to treat symptoms (60 to 90 minutes), but are intended to last for longer periods of time. They stop the production of your stomach’s natural acid, HCl (hydrochloric acid) and also stop pepsin production, a stomach enzyme that breaks down protein. Stopping these natural substances makes for a more alkaline environment in the stomach which increases your risk of infection, as the bacteria that would be killed by a healthy pH in the stomach now are able to live when they should not.[3] Users run the risk of infection by common bacteria like listeria and salmonella, as well as being at a higher risk of developing pneumonia, tuberculosis, typhoid and dysentery.[4] [5] Common side effects are constipation, diarrhea, runny nose and difficulty sleeping, just to name a few. [6]
• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI’s) – These medications control acid reflux symptoms by permanently blocking an enzyme that tells your stomach to produce acid, H+/K+ ATPase, found in the parietal walls of the stomach lining. Popular PPIs include Nexium, Aciphex, Prevacid and Prilosec. The FDA has released warnings about PPIs in the last several years regarding magnesium deficiency, increased risk of bone fractures and C. diff-related diarrhea. They are “super” versions of the above classes of drugs. PPI’s may induce the very issues they seek to correct.[7] They have a long list of concerning side effects.[8]

Natural Treatment

For instant relief of MILD symptoms:

• Apple Cider Vinegar – This may seem insane to suggest vinegar for a burning stomach. However, many people have found raw, apple cider vinegar (with the “mother” such as Braggs brand) to give immediate relief. [9] It helps digestion and restores proper pH to the stomach. Typical recommendations are 2-3 teaspoons in a glass of water. I have read instances where people have used 2 teaspoons in water 2-3 times per day.

Dr. Jonathan Wright, a well-known expert in the field of digestive health, explains that 99% of the time, a person suffering from heartburn, GERD or acid reflux has too little stomach acid, not too much. Essentially, the lack of necessary stomach acid slows the digestive process. Food sits in the stomach, creating gas that produces pressure. This pushes the stomach contents, including some of the stomach acid, into the esophagus. This can happen more easily for pregnant women, since there is less space in the abdomen and stomach contents can more easily be pushed up.

Does apple cider vinegar work for everyone? Of course not. We humans are not one size fits all. There are times when this remedy does nothing, or may even make it worse. Use your common sense, stop use with any negative effects.

• Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) – Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) has been used for generations to cure digestive problems. ½ teaspoon of baking soda is added to 4-6 ounces of water and taken internally. This not only helps to neutralize the acid in your stomach, it will neutralize the acid in your throat.
• Pickle Juice – Because pickle juice contains a lot of vinegar, it works similarly to apple cider vinegar. Pickle juice is more palatable than vinegar for many people and just as effective.

For Preventing Acid Reflux:

• Probiotics – Probiotics promote good digestion. Taking a probiotic supplement or regularly consuming probiotic foods like kefir, kombucha or kimchi can help your digestion to work well all of the time, reducing incidents of acid reflux or other digestive problems.
• Digestive Enzymes – Taking digestive enzymes with your food will help your food to be digested properly, preventing acid reflux attacks. While the body normally produces digestive enzymes on its own, sometimes it needs a little help, especially because aging or hormonal changes can cause a reduction in digestive enzymes.[10],[11]
• Aloe Vera Juice – Aloe Vera Juice is inexpensive (such as Fruit of the Earth) and is a gentle remedy that is helpful to a variety of digestive ills. Aloe juice can be used on a regular basis to improve your digestion. It reduces the incidence of stomach ulcers and improves digestion.[12]There are no standard doses of aloe vera. The effects can vary based on your age, weight and current health. Consuming more than you need may produce an increase in (possibly loose) stools. Although that may be beneficial if you suffer with constipation, it would be wise to start slow. The Cleveland Clinic recommends adults drink 1/2 to 1 cup per day, preferably in the morning. This sounds like a high dosage to me. If you want to try Aloe juice, start with 2 tablespoons for a few days and see how it affects you. The amount can be increased. You should start feeling relief in a few days, but it may take up to 2 weeks to feel its full effects.[13] Do not use if pregnant. There is a slight possible risk for miscarriage.
• Lose weight – If you are overweight, losing weight can reduce acid reflux attacks. Eating less food at each individual meal will also reduce the risk of an acid attack.
• Do not eat before bed – Having a full stomach when you lie down in bed is a recipe for digestive distress. Have your last meal about 3 hours before bedtime. Resist that bedtime snack. Suck on a mint instead or sip one cup of chamomile tea prior to bed. Chamomile tea helps reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, supporting healthy functioning. You can also boil a one-inch piece of fresh ginger in 10 ounces of water for 10 minutes. In addition, papain, an enzyme in papaya, aids in digestion by breaking down proteins. Papaya chewables are a favorite in my house. Brush your teeth. You will be less tempted to eat something else if your mouth feels fresh and clean.
• Drink more water – Chronic low grade dehydration can be a cause of acid reflux. Energy drinks, coffee, and soda may be liquids but they are not a good source of proper hydration. Add ¼ teaspoon of sea salt to a quart of water and consume this throughout the day. The salt helps your body to use the water effectively in the cells instead of having it just flush through your system. Drinking more water will also help you to eat less, reducing your risk of acid reflux.
• Diet Changes – Like it or not, some foods may be the root cause of your acid reflux. Pinpointing these foods and avoiding them, or at least consuming them less often or in smaller quantities will be worth it if you feel better. Alcoholic beverages, spicy foods, fried foods, tomatoes, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices are all common causes of acid reflux. Two of the most common culprits are wheat and dairy. Of course, everyone is different. You will need to pay attention to the foods you eat (keeping a log of what you eat for a week can help you make connections between certain foods and acid reflux) and plan your menus accordingly.

Lifestyle modifications are similar for both:

*Try to reduce stress – prayer and meditation to keep calm and focused during the day can help tremendously.[14]

*Consider taking daily magnesium. Chronic physical or mental stress depletes your body of magnesium, and low magnesium levels intensify stress — creating a vicious cycle. Magnesium modulates activity of the body’s stress-response system, and studies suggest increasing magnesium intake may reduce anxiety, ease stress and minimize the response to fear.[15] Magnesium is also depleted by acid reflux drugs![16] Do you experience eye twitches, constipation, gritting your teeth or muscle cramps/spasms? Yeah, you probably need magnesium. Up to 800 mg daily in divided doses is recommended by Dr. Axe, chiropractor and nutrition expert. Start slow, some people may experience loose stools if too much is taken. Magnesium chloride works best to avoid this.

*If stress is a contributor to your tummy issues, consider taking a daily herbal remedy to keep your mind and body calm and feeling at rest such as Stress-J. You can also get your daily dose of high quality B-complex vitamins with calming herbs in Nutri-calm tablets.

*Pay attention to the foods you eat and how you react to them, keep a food journal.
*Eat small meals more frequently.
*Maintain a healthy weight
*Do not lie down for at least two hours after eating
*Stop smoking
*Avoid alcohol
*Don’t wear tight fitting clothing, especially around the waist
*Sleep elevated. Don’t elevate by just piling pillows under your head; this may increase reflux by kinking the stomach.
Most important, if you experience any symptoms two or more times a week, see a physician for a professional diagnosis and advice and treatment.

Could My Acid Reflux Be a Sign of Something More Serious?

Absolutely.

If the “instant relief” remedies above do not bring you relief in short order and/or you have pain in your chest that radiates to your arm, neck, jaw or back, or if you experience dizziness, shortness of breath or cold sweats, seek immediate medical attention to rule out a heart issue.

If your bouts of acid reflux happen on a regular basis, you may have issues such as GERD, hiatal hernia or gallbladder disease.

If your acid reflux symptoms interfere with your lifestyle or daily activity and last for more than two weeks, then consider visiting a doctor. Other reasons to get a professional opinion on treatment options include experiencing hoarseness; worsening of asthma after meals; pain that’s persistent when lying down; pain following exercise; difficulty breathing that occurs mainly at night; and trouble swallowing for more than one to two days.

It is best to seek medical counsel to understand what you are dealing with, so that you can best treat it.

Sources

https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/what-is-acid-reflux-disease

Panahi Y, Khedmat H, Valizadegan G, Mohtashami R, Sahebkar A. Efficacy and safety of Aloe vera syrup for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a pilot randomized positive-controlled trial. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2015.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26742306/

Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine: “Efficacy and Safety of Aloe Vera Syrup for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Pilot Randomized Positive-Controlled Trial.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/gastroesophageal-reflux

Choi JM, Yang JI, Kang SJ, et al. Association between anxiety and depression and gastroesophageal reflux disease: results from a large cross-sectional study. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018.

Mone I, Kraja B, Bregu A, et al. Adherence to a predominantly Mediterranean diet decreases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease: A cross-sectional study in a South Eastern European population.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27996295/

https://www.herbalgram.org/search?search=gerd