Acid Reflux
Upper digestive complaints including acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion are one of the most common symptoms patients report on their intake forms before seeing me for a consult.
In fact, Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is the most common gastrointestinal condition in Australia.
Reading this statistic didn’t surprise me however, it did make me wonder how many people are suffering with this condition and not realising that small diet and lifestyle modifications may help to reduce what they are experiencing.
What is GORD?
GORD is a condition where the oesophagus is repeatedly exposed to the contents of the stomach. It’s commonly referred to as acid reflux, heartburn or indigestion.
The symptoms reported include burning sensation in the chest or oesophagus, struggling to digest certain foods, chronic cough, tooth decay, bad breath, bloating, difficulty swallowing, feeling or being physically sick.
What causes GORD?
The most common cause of GORD is poor tone or function of the lower oesophageal sphincter. This is the part of the body that is meant to act as a physical barrier and stop the contents of the stomach coming back up. If it becomes weak it can open at the wrong times, allowing the stomach acid to flow into the oesophagus and cause discomfort.
An imbalance in stomach acid can also contribute to the onset of reflux. It is often blamed as too much stomach acid however from a naturopathic perspective, too low stomach acid is often the problem. This imbalance in stomach acid creates an environment that can contribute to the overgrowth of Helicobacter Pylori and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).
Other factors that have been linked to GORD include:
Obesity
Age
Medications
Stress
Diet
Pregnancy
Hiatus hernia
Smoking
How to manage GORD?
Simple diet and lifestyle changes can help to reduce the symptoms and occurrence of acid reflux.
Lifestyle changes - Start by reducing common risk factors such weight, stress and smoking. Seek out help and support where you need. Introduce gentle exercise and priorities good quality sleep.
Diet changes - Eliminate food triggers such as fatty foods, chocolate, alcohol, spicy foods, soft drinks, heavy carbohydrate base meals, caffeine and other acidic foods. Aim for a whole foods diet with good amounts of protein to help improve sphincter tone.
Stay hydrated - Sip on water regularly through the day aiming for 2L of water daily. If you need motivation try this free challenge.
Apple Cider Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar can help to gentle alter the pH of the stomach. Start by adding a teaspoon of ACV to a glass of water before meals. You can increase the amount as you get used to the taste.
Chamomile Tea - Chamomile has many properties which can be beneficial for reducing the symptoms of acid reflux. It is anti inflammatory and has calming effects on both the digestive tract and nervous system. A great option if stress is contributing to symptoms.
Nutritional Supplementation - If low stomach acid is the cause, taking a betaine hydrochloride supplement or digestive enzymes can help to break down and reduce symptoms.
Herbal Medicine - Herbal medicine can help to reduce the discomfort associate with GORD as well as help to improve stomach function and soothe the oesophageal mucosa.
Medications - When working with a doctor you may be prescribed reflux medication such as a protein pump inhibitor. These work to lower stomach acid and reduce the symptoms of GORD. It is important not to stop this medication and ween off very slowly, as stopping completely can make symptoms much worse.
Work with a practitioner - Working with a qualified practitioner like myself, who can support you in making changes through diet and lifestyle as well as prescribe the right supplements and herbal medicine specific to you and your individual needs.
