Holistically Healing Heartburn:
DISCOVER The Only Way

Inner body balance is severely affected by lifestyle, unhealthy dietary habits, stress, poor sleeping habits leading to acidity and toxic build-up. Heartburn is one such complex disease with varied etiology. It is a direct result of different physiological and lifestyle factors, genetic weakness, high fat diets, obesity, anxiety, which have a bearing on the LES, stripping it of its muscular force and causing it to malfunction. For any permanent relief from heartburn the underlying causes must be suppressed.

Holistic medicine treats the whole body. The physical, environmental, mental, emotional, social as well as spiritual play a role in causing the body to become acidic. Once the whole body is alkaline heartburn will disappear. What we eat, drink, think, feel all determine the pH of our body and our health in general. Conventional medicine takes care of symptoms with the use of drugs or surgery. While this is necessary in emergencies and acute life-threatening conditions, it does not help in eradicating or preventing diseases in the first place. So, in the long run, holistic medicine is more cost effective, safe, and has long-lasting benefits without the dangerous side effects of conventional drug-based treatment. Holistic medicine includes analysis of the all aspects of life including physical, nutritional, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental, as well as lifestyle values. It also involves standard modalities of diagnosis and treatment including drugs and surgery if there is no safe alternative.                            

Heartburn occurs in all ages right from newborns to adults. One should always think about using natural remedies for infant GERD first as these natural remedies are definitely gentler and they do not contain any of the harsh chemicals or medicine as compared to conventional medicines. Simple lifestyle changes like smaller frequent feeds, breast feeding, elevating the head of the bed, burping, change in sleeping position bring about a relief of symptoms. Educating the parents helps in relieving their anxiety and involves them in the healing process. In adults, educating in choice of foods, size of meals, recognition of trigger factors, keeping a food diary, mental state while eating, stress management, maintaining ideal weight, chewing gum between meals, elevating the head of the bed, use of herbs like chamomile, slippery elm, licorice, aloe vera are of tremendous help. Though all these suggestions seem very simple they will truly help get rid of the problem rather than only covering up the symptoms. But if the symptoms persist or get worse, it would be a good idea to get a medical opinion to rule out any serious conditions.

Not all heartburn treats work effectively for all people. Each person has his/her own idiosyncrasies. So, the choice of treat is a trial and error process. Having patience and faith in the great healing powers of your body will help tide over the difficult times. All these changes will help in not only curing heartburn but creating a healthier person free of any disease. Incorporating the suggestions made by your holistic medical practitioner in your daily life will really keep the doctor away.