Post by Rene on Feb 8, 2009 9:49:03 GMT -7
This happens when acid content from the stomach goes into the esophagus, and the result can be downright painful and a threat to your overall health. In fact, left untreated for a prolonged amount of time, GERD can increase your risk of throat cancer if your esophagus has to continuously deal with the acid from your stomach.
Anybody with GERD should avoid what I call the four evils: tobacco, aspirin, alcohol, and caffeine. These substances have the potential to weaken the sphincter muscle between the esophagus and the stomach below. If the sphincter loosens, more acid can reflux upward causing the irritation and discomfort.
Some patients have told me they took aspirin, caffeinated tea, or coffee to calm down the upset, and afterwards they all felt worse. One patient tried a shot of brandy to put him to sleep. Instead he woke up an hour later with his stomach on fire. No wonder! These are all big no-no’s. Use them, and you’ve simply put gasoline on a fire.
A few “Sinatra Solutions” to GERD
Here are some remedies that have helped my patients , as well as my newsletter subscribers. Try one or two of them and see what works best for you.
Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (extracted from licorice root) promotes repair and regrowth of the digestive tract lining, and is very soothing. Some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who also had GERD, told me that the licorice helped with both conditions. How’s that for a side effect? Take it as a tincture under the tongue, a full dropperful three times throughout the day. Or you can also use chewable tablets in which case you take 250-500 mg, once or twice a day after meals.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have high blood pressure, do not take deglycyrrhizinated licorice or any type of licorice, as it can increase it further.
Glutamine is an amino acid that supports the immune system and also has GI tract reparative properties. One patient experienced relief from 1 gram of glutamine in ginger tea daily. I suggest 1-3 grams a day. Take as powder or capsule.
Slippery elm tea may also be beneficial, specifically one cup enjoyed after meals or at night. This herb is very soothing for the digestive tract.
Kimchi, a cabbage-based Korean staple, has been hailed as one of the five healthiest foods in the world. Cabbage contains a substance known as vitamin U, which has anti-ulcer properties.
Several patients have told me they “cured” their reflux problem by adding this dish to their diet. As a note of caution, while cabbage, along with other cruciferous vegetables, has a reputation for protection against gastritis and ulcers, don’t overdo it. These vegetables have the potential to cause gas, and the last thing somebody with GERD wants is bloating and more GI discomfort.
You can purchase all of these products at most health food stores.
In addition, there are helpful lifestyle adjustments you should make when dealing with GERD. For example…
Lose weight. Excess weight places pressure on your stomach, which can prevent the sphincter muscle from opening and closing properly. Losing weight can really help the condition. In the meanwhile, some of my patients get great relief just by unbuckling their belts when symptoms arise.
Don’t eat after 7 pm. Going to bed on an empty stomach can really help, as it minimizes the gaseous digestive process your stomach has to go through while you’re laying down.
Elevate the top of your bed. This common solution works in concert with gravity and helps to keep the stomach acids from coming up into your esophagus. Some of my patients accomplish this by placing boards or bricks under the two legs of their bed that are under their heads so the bed is slightly sloped toward the feet.
The media is full of ads for a class of drugs that many thousands of people take for GERD and they’re called proton pump inhibitors. They include popular brand names like Prilosec, Prevacid, and AcipHex.
A Closer Look at Proton Pump Inhibitors
In their quest to reduce the stomach acid that leads to GERD, proton pump inhibitors can promote malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies. Losses in folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin C have been well documented, and iron and calcium are also affected.
These drugs are acceptable if you want immediate relief, but only at very low dosages. Also, please be warned that you shouldn’t take them for a prolonged period of time. In other words, you should never use a proton pump inhibitor as a long-term solution to your GERD.
In closing, I want to remind you to be careful about what you eat ...... Enjoy yourself, but remember that nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels.
To Your Health,
Stephen Sinatra, M.D.
Anybody with GERD should avoid what I call the four evils: tobacco, aspirin, alcohol, and caffeine. These substances have the potential to weaken the sphincter muscle between the esophagus and the stomach below. If the sphincter loosens, more acid can reflux upward causing the irritation and discomfort.
Some patients have told me they took aspirin, caffeinated tea, or coffee to calm down the upset, and afterwards they all felt worse. One patient tried a shot of brandy to put him to sleep. Instead he woke up an hour later with his stomach on fire. No wonder! These are all big no-no’s. Use them, and you’ve simply put gasoline on a fire.
A few “Sinatra Solutions” to GERD
Here are some remedies that have helped my patients , as well as my newsletter subscribers. Try one or two of them and see what works best for you.
Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (extracted from licorice root) promotes repair and regrowth of the digestive tract lining, and is very soothing. Some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who also had GERD, told me that the licorice helped with both conditions. How’s that for a side effect? Take it as a tincture under the tongue, a full dropperful three times throughout the day. Or you can also use chewable tablets in which case you take 250-500 mg, once or twice a day after meals.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have high blood pressure, do not take deglycyrrhizinated licorice or any type of licorice, as it can increase it further.
Glutamine is an amino acid that supports the immune system and also has GI tract reparative properties. One patient experienced relief from 1 gram of glutamine in ginger tea daily. I suggest 1-3 grams a day. Take as powder or capsule.
Slippery elm tea may also be beneficial, specifically one cup enjoyed after meals or at night. This herb is very soothing for the digestive tract.
Kimchi, a cabbage-based Korean staple, has been hailed as one of the five healthiest foods in the world. Cabbage contains a substance known as vitamin U, which has anti-ulcer properties.
Several patients have told me they “cured” their reflux problem by adding this dish to their diet. As a note of caution, while cabbage, along with other cruciferous vegetables, has a reputation for protection against gastritis and ulcers, don’t overdo it. These vegetables have the potential to cause gas, and the last thing somebody with GERD wants is bloating and more GI discomfort.
You can purchase all of these products at most health food stores.
In addition, there are helpful lifestyle adjustments you should make when dealing with GERD. For example…
Lose weight. Excess weight places pressure on your stomach, which can prevent the sphincter muscle from opening and closing properly. Losing weight can really help the condition. In the meanwhile, some of my patients get great relief just by unbuckling their belts when symptoms arise.
Don’t eat after 7 pm. Going to bed on an empty stomach can really help, as it minimizes the gaseous digestive process your stomach has to go through while you’re laying down.
Elevate the top of your bed. This common solution works in concert with gravity and helps to keep the stomach acids from coming up into your esophagus. Some of my patients accomplish this by placing boards or bricks under the two legs of their bed that are under their heads so the bed is slightly sloped toward the feet.
The media is full of ads for a class of drugs that many thousands of people take for GERD and they’re called proton pump inhibitors. They include popular brand names like Prilosec, Prevacid, and AcipHex.
A Closer Look at Proton Pump Inhibitors
In their quest to reduce the stomach acid that leads to GERD, proton pump inhibitors can promote malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies. Losses in folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin C have been well documented, and iron and calcium are also affected.
These drugs are acceptable if you want immediate relief, but only at very low dosages. Also, please be warned that you shouldn’t take them for a prolonged period of time. In other words, you should never use a proton pump inhibitor as a long-term solution to your GERD.
In closing, I want to remind you to be careful about what you eat ...... Enjoy yourself, but remember that nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels.
To Your Health,
Stephen Sinatra, M.D.