Beat Reflux in 48h

To counter the surge in the prevalence of acid reflux, lots of over the counter medications have been churned out of our pharmaceutical companies. A lot of theories abound, medically and naturally, about the root cause of this disease.

The first explanation for the cause of this condition is that because of the incompetence of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) acidic contents of the stomach are allowed up into the esophagus, which results in a burning sensation. The LES is a valve that is found at the lower end of the esophagus and separates it from the stomach and its contents but when this valve becomes dysfunctional, it allows the acidic content of the stomach to be regurgitated into the esophagus.

A separate school of thought believes that acidic reflux disease is caused by our eating habits. As it’s often said, living in the civilized world entails eating more junk food and packaged and processed food than the stomach can digest. So, when we put so much into the stomach, most of the food ends up undigested. These undigested food materials turn into acidic waste in the stomach. This waste causes stomach spasms or twitching that causes an increase in stomach gas that pops open the LES valve between the esophagus and stomach sending acidic contents up the esophagus.

Yet, acidic reflux disease can be traced to aging in adults. It is believed in some quarters that as we age, the activity of the stomach reduces, so also its ability to produce hydrochloric acid. The reduction in the stomach activity and acid content of the stomach creates a breeding ground for infections which in themselves cause stomach pain and acid production leading to further symptoms of acid reflux.

Whatever the cause of acid reflux disease, what is constant about it, is the fact that it is a chronic disease. Most medicines, which inhibit production of acid in the stomach, only help to relieve the burning effect and other symptoms and not actually cure the condition. As a matter of fact, these drugs help in relieving the symptoms quite effectively, but the other side of the coin is that these drugs also cause several side effects in the body by cutting down the acid production in your stomach. Some of their side effects are that they reduce the ability of the stomach to digest food efficiently, they make you more vulnerable to diseases and microbes transmitted through food, increases the risk of food poisoning and a host of others.

While there are many medications and natural methods to rid yourself of that burning sensation that accompanies each acid reflux bout, the first line of action should be a thorough assessment of the your food and lifestyle. Some food materials are known to aggravate acid reflux, some of the foods include; citrus, caffeine, chocolate, fatty fried foods, garlic, and onions. Cutting down or avoiding these foods as much as possible is a good first attempt at preventing future acid reflux bouts.

Additional lifestyle assessment and modification that can help reduce acid reflux episodes include:

- Losing weight if you are overweight
- Cutting down alcohol to the barest minimum
- Eating just enough food to keep hunger away
- Don’t go to bed until at least three hours after eating
- Raise your bed head six to eight inches

These very simple lifestyle improvements can keep you off those acid blockers and other acid reflux medications that cause almost the same amount of damage as the good they do to your body.

In today’s hectic world, we are not eating properly, and worst of all, we are teaching our children to do the same.  A whole new generation of junk food eaters is being primed to rely on drugs instead of proper nutrition.  The big pharma must be ecstatic at the prospect of future sales

First of all, acid reflux is not a disease.   It is an acquired condition which can be completely healed by eating properly.  I wonder if people had acid reflux, gerd and heartburn a thousand years ago.  I sincerely doubt it.  I believe it is a symptom of the quality of the food we eat today, our eating habits and the stressful times in which we live.

People who eat convenience food on the run can’t expect to enjoy proper digestion.  Proper digestion requires chewing food well and not diluting the digestive juices with liquids, the worst of these being carbonated beverages.  And of course all the fat associated with convenience food makes the situation worse.  Most people who go to fast food chains eat a burger with fries and a large soda.  The employees are trained to push the soft drinks on the customers.  They look at you as if you are nuts if you opt to skip the big soft drink.

People today are always in a hurry, always late, both parents working and commuting to those jobs.  There seems to be no time to shop for and prepare quality food.  Children are forced to be self sufficient from an early age.  They prepare their own meals, microwaving food which has little food value and is loaded with sodium and fat.

We are raising a generation of future acid refluxers.  The parents are no better off, grabbing junk food to eat in the office.  No wonder so many people suffer from acid reflux.  I’m sure that the big pharma are thrilled at the prospects of future sales.

The medical community wants us to believe that only prescription drugs are the answer for the symptoms of indigestion.  Of course this is not true.  Antacids are, at best, a temporary fix and they are loaded with harmful ingredients such as sodium and aluminum.  PPI drugs (proton pump inhibitors) like Nexium and Prilosec should only be used for eight weeks, at most.  It says so right on the package, but after eight weeks what are we to do?  Furthermore, these drugs only mask and hide the symptoms and have hundreds of harmful side effects.  They don’t heal the condition!  They only make the drug makers rich at our expense!

I used to suffer from acute GERD.  I confess that I too ate on the run.  I didn’t chew my food properly.  I washed everything down with soda and became addicted to a PPI drug – that purple pill.   It was so easy and convenient.  I could abuse my body and not suffer for it.  I thought that drug was my salvation until that illusion came crashing down on me.

After several years of taking this drug, my condition became worse and I was told to double the dose.  I began to feel sluggish and tired.  My vision suffered and my blood pressure soared.  I realized that these were probably side effects of this PPI drug.   Perhaps I was suffering from malnutrition?  How does the body digest and assimilate food without stomach acid?

I did a computer search and found that there were hundreds of possible side effects.  I was shocked at what I found! I was harming my body and I wanted to stop taking this drug!  But when I tried to stop taking the PPI, the acid pumps, which had been shut off, went wild and produced more acid than ever before.

I can’t tell you how much I suffered. My esophagus was constantly burning and l feared that I would suffer permanent damage.  I couldn’t sleep at night. I was afraid to eat or drink anything but water.  My friends didn’t understand my problem.  They would call and say, “Let’s go out for Southwestern barbeque”.  Of course, I couldn’t. I loved to eat hot chili sprinkled with raw onions and jack cheese, but it was now my worst nightmare.  My life was becoming unbearable!

I was determined to beat this illness.  My doctor couldn’t help me – no one could tell me what to do.  I had to heal myself.  I became completely dedicated to finding the answers.  I studied and researched.  I wanted to discover naturopathic treatments as opposed to drugs.  I searched high and low for natural remedies that might actually cure acid reflux.  I tried every possible remedy and healthy diet I could find.  I made myself a virtual guinea pig.

In the end, I found that the answers to the acid reflux problem are really quite simple.  With a few changes in lifestyle and with the help of natural remedies, one can absolutely beat the acid reflux syndrome, without the use of drugs.

Remember, that the reason this condition exists in the first place, is due to a damaged esophagus.  Let the esophagus heal by not eating the same foods in the same way that caused the damage.   Loosing weight, exercising, chewing properly, drinking sufficient amounts of water and elevating the head at night, are all simple things that anyone can do to improve this condition.

There are also many natural ingredients found in any health store, which can help during, what I call, the acid reflux recovery period.  Herbs, such as slippery elm and marshmallow have wonderful healing properties.  Aloe vera juice, licorice and natural honey can sooth the esophagus and assist in the healing process.

I had to take control of my life and assume responsibility for my own actions.  I managed to turn things around.  I did heal myself of the acid reflux condition.  With a little knowledge and discipline, anyone can do the same.

For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to Beat Reflux in 48 Hourse!