Acid
reflux treatments can be divided into three
broad categories: surgical intervention;
prescribed medications or over-the-counters; and
all-natural holistic treatments. Prior to giving an
introduction to each of these acid reflux
treatments, I will
refer briefly the immediate biological causes of acid
reflux, also called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux
disease), as a medical condition.
Why Gastroesophageal reflux
disease occurs?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
occurs when gastric acids from the stomach back up into
your esophagus. Regurgitation (reflux) of these acids
can also cause a myriad of symptoms
: brackish taste
sensation, cough, chest pain
,
asthma attacks at night and hoarseness. The cardinal
symptom of GERD is persistent heartburn, a burning
sensation in the chest and throat.
Technically, gastroesophageal reflux disease is a
result of malfunction of the valve-like mechanism
located between the esophagus and the stomach called
lower esophageal sphincter (LES). If the LES does not
close properly - stomach contents leak back, or reflux,
into the esophagus. Heartburn occurs when refluxed
stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus.
Treatment of Gastroesophageal
reflux disease
As mentioned above, there are several different approaches
to the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, as each of
these approaches tackles the condition according to the
way it perceives the condition. In this way, acid reflux
surgery addresses the weakening of the LES and thus is
aimed at strengthening it to block acid from touching
the esophagus to prevent inflammation. During acid
reflux surgery, parts of the stomach are wrapped around
the lower esophagus in order to prevent the refluxed
stomach content to come into contact with the
esophagus.
Prescribed
medications and over-the-counters,
including antacids, PPIs and H2 blockers, appear to be
very popular in treating GERD. Generally speaking, acid
reflux medications address the excess acidity in the
stomach. Unfortunately, these medications usually
provide nothing more than a temporary relief and carry a
myriad of side effects.
The main downside related to the conventional
medicine’s approach to acid
reflux treatment, including surgical and medicinal treatments, is that
these approaches focus on the immediate, local or
technical causes of GERD.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a complex condition caused by
several behavioral, dietary and lifestyle factors.
Adequate treatment for acid reflux must address the root
of the problem, rather than constantly trying to prevent
or relieve the external physical symptoms.
Holistic therapy, which is based
on dietary and lifestyle changes (i. e. avoiding
acid triggering foods, reducing stress, optimizing sleep,
stress control etc.), detoxification, and the intake
of specific herbal supplements, is the only approach aimed
at tackling the internal GERD factors rather than the
local causes. Unlike the short-term solutions that
are designed to achieve immediate relief from
the debilitating and sometimes painful GERD symptoms,
the holistic approach provides an all-natural,
comprehensive acid reflux treatment
that can stop and prevent its recurrence
safely
and effectively.
