GERD, or acid reflux, is a serious problem for many people and can sometimes lead to an agressive form of cancer so it is not to be taken lightly. A physician should be consulted if you've had acid reflux for a while. If you have occassional reflux, here are eight simple suggestions for avoiding mild acid reflux at the source, at no cost.
Symptoms and Causes
In the digestive system, food enters the stomach through the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) on the upper right side of the stomach. In a healthy system, the LES closes tightly and remains closed while the muscles in the stomach wall contract rhythmically to mix the food with hydrochloric acid and enzymes. In a person with mild GERD, the sphincter does not close firmly allowing acid and food to rise up into the esophagus and irritate the lining of the esophagus. In a person with long-term acid reflux, the LES may be deteriorated by stress or repeated acid exposure so that the patient experiences pain more frequently.
The symptoms can be mild to severe “heartburn,” a burning pain behind the sternum. If the reflux extends to the throat, the damage can cause laryngitis, and, if the acid and food enters the lungs, even pneumonia. Significant damage to the lining of the esophagus is known as Barrett’s mucosa. Left untreated it can lead to ulcers and is considered to be a slight risk factor for esophageal cancer. [CNN]. Acid reflux can also contribute to asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. [MSB].
The cause of GERD is overeating – especially overeating and then lying down, which stresses the LES by increasing the pressure differential between the esophagus and the stomach. Other possible contributing factors are high fat diets which remain in the stomach longer, lack of exercise, Parkinson’s disease which affects muscle control (Holden), and genetic predisposition.
What to try before pharmaceuticals or surgery
There are several simple behaviors which can reduce the symptoms of GERD.
Bibliography
(Arai) Arai, Ronen, MD, (2000, Jan). Acid Reflux During Sleep.
(CNN) Heartburn, acid reflux linked to cancer risk. (1999).
(Holden) Holden, Kathrynne. Parkinson’s disease and Acid reflux.
(MSB) Managing Acid-Reflux Disorders. (1994, Nov). Medical Sciences bulletin, Pharmaceutical Information Associates, Ltd.
Symptoms and Causes
In the digestive system, food enters the stomach through the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) on the upper right side of the stomach. In a healthy system, the LES closes tightly and remains closed while the muscles in the stomach wall contract rhythmically to mix the food with hydrochloric acid and enzymes. In a person with mild GERD, the sphincter does not close firmly allowing acid and food to rise up into the esophagus and irritate the lining of the esophagus. In a person with long-term acid reflux, the LES may be deteriorated by stress or repeated acid exposure so that the patient experiences pain more frequently.
The symptoms can be mild to severe “heartburn,” a burning pain behind the sternum. If the reflux extends to the throat, the damage can cause laryngitis, and, if the acid and food enters the lungs, even pneumonia. Significant damage to the lining of the esophagus is known as Barrett’s mucosa. Left untreated it can lead to ulcers and is considered to be a slight risk factor for esophageal cancer. [CNN]. Acid reflux can also contribute to asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. [MSB].
The cause of GERD is overeating – especially overeating and then lying down, which stresses the LES by increasing the pressure differential between the esophagus and the stomach. Other possible contributing factors are high fat diets which remain in the stomach longer, lack of exercise, Parkinson’s disease which affects muscle control (Holden), and genetic predisposition.
What to try before pharmaceuticals or surgery
There are several simple behaviors which can reduce the symptoms of GERD.
- Eating small meals and avoiding eating within two hours of lying down are two obvious examples. (Arai). Some doctors recommend waiting 5 hours before lying down so the stomach will empty.
- Chewing food thoroughly will avoid stretching the sphincter. (Holden).
- Drinking water between meals, or when symptoms occur, will dilute acid in the esophagus and wash it down into the stomach. (Arai).
- If GERD occurs, stay upright, or, if lying down is a must, elevate the head of the bed. (Arai).
- Simply lying on one’s left side creates less pressure on the LES than lying on the right side. See photos 1 and 2.
- Drink a glass of water about ½ hour before a meal and avoid drinking liquids at mealtime. Liquid during a meal increases the pressure differential at the LES. By not flushing the food down with excess liquid, the person is forced to eat slowly and properly masticate each bite of food.
- If there has been mild sphincter damage, fasting one day each week can give the sphincter a chance to heal.
- Diet changes will be helpful, but the correct healing diet for each patient will vary according to the patient’s constitution. Consulting an holistic nutritionist would be better than adopting a healing diet that worked for someone else.
| Image: Stomach lying on left side |
Image: Stomach lying on right side |
| Photo 1: Stomach position when lying on left side |
Photo 2: Stomach position when lying on right side |
Bibliography
(Arai) Arai, Ronen, MD, (2000, Jan). Acid Reflux During Sleep.
(CNN) Heartburn, acid reflux linked to cancer risk. (1999).
(Holden) Holden, Kathrynne. Parkinson’s disease and Acid reflux.
(MSB) Managing Acid-Reflux Disorders. (1994, Nov). Medical Sciences bulletin, Pharmaceutical Information Associates, Ltd.
