Why a Holistic Approach to Acid Reflux and GERD?
No matter the time of year, but especially around the holidays and year end, rich and abundant foods, parties, alcohol and stress lead to a perfect storm that often ends up with the suffering of Acid Reflux and GERD. Automatically, many people, reach for over-the-counter medications to help treat occasional heartburn. However, often those same over-the-counter medications, which help mask the symptoms of heartburn may cause more damage than help in the long run. Contrary to what you may believe, it’s not a good idea to turn off the acid faucet in your stomach. Stomach acid is essential to digest protein and minerals. Additionally, it is this natural acid secretion that kills the germs on food.
Side Effects of Acid Reflux and GERD Medications
Some of the side effects of popular over-the-counter and prescription medications like antacids, H2 blockers, and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI’s) used to treat Acid Reflux and GERD include:
- magnesium and other nutritional deficiencies
- infections, some life threatening, including Clostridium difficile and pneumonia
- increasing concern that PPI’s may increase the risk of dementia
Why is the Acid Reflux and GERD Occurring?
A holistic approach investigates. Looks at lifestyle and diet and asks, why the Acid Reflux or GERD is occurring? There are many possible reasons, including:
- food sensitivities
- the effect of other prescribed medications
- infections in the GI tract
- pituitary disorders
- emotional stress
Looking at the whole patient, a Holistic Doctor practicing functional medicine also asks is this a chronic condition? Is the patient experiencing other symptoms that they haven’t linked to their stomach troubles?
Lifestyle Changes may help heal Acid Reflux and GERD
Lifestyle and diet changes that may help you on your journey to good health and wellness and to start the healing process from Acid Reflux and GERD include:
- chewing sugar free gum
- drinking ginger or chamomile tea
- sleeping on an incline
- including fermented foods in your diet
- avoiding alcohol
- watching your weight
- skipping spicy foods
- avoiding food sensitivities and intolerances
- chiropractic adjustments
While these changes are important to your overall health, they may not completely eliminate the problem. Please call the Holistic Doctor of Charlotte for help in finding the root cause and a natural, holistic, non-pharmaceutical solution to your Acid Reflux or GERD.
Read Dr. Cushing’s biography