What
is GERD?
Gastro Esophageal
Reflux Disease (GERD),
also known as acid reflux, is a
chronic, distressing and painful medical condition with
a significantly negative impact on one's quality of
life. Heartburn and regurgitation are typical symptoms
of gastro esophageal reflux disease alongside chest
pain, dry cough, indigestion, reactive airway disease,
painful swallowing and the sensation of food stuck in
the throat.
In the
long run, untreated GERD can lead to severe
complications such as ulceration, Barrett's esophagus
and even adenocarcinoma
(a cancer that originates in
glandular tissue).
Gastro
esophageal reflux disease is a common problem in developed western
countries, especially in the United States, with approx.
60% of individuals experiencing symptoms associated with
GERD at least once a month. A research by Locke, Talley
and Fett, published in 1997 in the Gastroenterology
journal, has found that acid reflux symptoms occur on a
weekly basis among almost 20% of the individuals. Other
studies have shown a prevalence of 30% to 40% in the
general population.
Gastro esophageal reflux
disease is a medical
condition with multifactorial etiology (triggered by
several internal and external factors). Among GERD's
direct contributing factors are: the weakening of the
muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES
causing the leakage of gastric juices from the digestive
system back to the esophagus and over acidity in the
stomach.
In
addition to these direct physiological factors, there
are several underlying causes that provoke acid reflux
condition. These include dietary factors, lifestyle
related factors and genetic factors that directly or
indirectly shape the environment in which GERD develops.
For instance, certain foods have been known to weaken
the LES and thus aggravate acid reflux. Unhealthy
dietary patterns in general can stress and weaken the
digestive system whose proper functioning prevents extra
acidity and the retrograde flow of stomach
contents.
The aging process is another factor; in time the
sagging of all body's muscles including the LES,
contribute to the disruption of the esophagus' defense
mechanism.
Acid
reflux treatments can be divided into three broad
categories: surgical intervention, medication treatments
and all natural holistic treatments.
Treatment
of GERD
GERD
surgery is aimed at tackling the impairment of the LES
locally. The surgery is performed by wrapping parts of
the stomach (i.e. gastric fundus )
around the lower esophagus in order to strengthen the
natural valve between the stomach and the esophagus.
This intervention prevents the refluxed stomach content
to come into contact with the esophagus. Acid reflux
surgery has significant downsides; postoperative side
effects are common and include difficulty with belching,
dysphagia, diarrhea and increased flatulence. Moreover,
although mortality from antireflux surgery is low, death
can occur in approximately one of 1,000
patients.
GERD medications are focused at
achieving temporary relief by tackling the digestive
system impairments related to acid reflux. Antacids, for
example, are aimed at neutralizing the acidity in the
esophagus, while PPI (Proton pump inhibitors) block the
mechanism in the stomach cells that releases acid into
the stomach. Unfortunately, most medications are merely
aimed at tackling GERD's symptoms, while neglecting the
underlying causes. This is why acid medications work
temporarily and create long-term dependency, leaving the
root causes of gastro esophageal reflux disease
unrelated. There are also numerous side effects related
to the long-term use of GERD medications.
The vast majority of medical
studies, published during the last decade, have shown
that the combination of several holistic all natural
protocols
can have a positive
impact on managing gastro esophageal reflux disease and
even lead to complete recovery. These treatments
include, among other means of intervention: elevating the head of the bed by six inches, decreasing fat intake,
stopping smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, losing
weight, detoxification and parasite eradication, and
avoiding the consumption of large meals and certain
types of food that weaken the LES.
Did you
know that there is a holistic all-natural treatment of
gastro esophageal reflux disease that can effectively
and safely stop and prevent Gastro Esophageal
Reflux Disease and yield miraculous
results over your health and well-being?
