Food, Medicines, and Lies The Health Talk series by Dr. Prritii
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach . This backwash can irritate the lining of your esophagus and lead to an acid reflux from time to time. At times we feel a burning sensation and a sore taste in our throat and mouth , particularly after meals and when we are lying down . While occasional acid reflux and heartburn are quite normal, but persistent occurrences—more than twice a week—accompanied by regular dependency on antacids and heartburn medications without the due relief is indicative of suffering from “ GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)”.It happens because of the incomplete closure of the lower esophageal sphincter forces the stomach acids to flow back to esophagus while the food has entered the stomach .
This will require much more than just the conventional medications to get rid of symptoms , Functional medicine offers a comprehensive approach to identify and then address the root cause and thus treat the issue rather than the symptoms .
SYMPTOMS OF GERD :
Children and infants may also display similar symptoms, including minor vomiting, excessive crying, reluctance to eat (in babies), bad breath, and difficulty sleeping after eating.The primary cause of this acid backflush / reflux is the low levels of stomach acid (hypochlorhydria), which can be triggered by various factors such as - magnesium deficiency, high stress levels, hypothyroidism, smoking, excessive drinking, poor eating habits, and an H. pylori infection, indicating an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the gut. The holistic approach of Functional medicine provides insights and solutions for effectively managing these issues.
How dangerous can GERD become ? Ideally not a life threatening issue, GERD if remains under a long term negligence might cause some serious health issues including 👍
Esophageal stricture : Narrowing of the esophagus - Damage to the lower esophagus from stomach acid causes scar tissue to form. The scar tissue narrows the food pathway, leading to problems with swallowing causing reflexes like vomits and persistent coughing .
Esophagitis - Inflammation of the tissue in the esophagus - Stomach acid can break down tissue in the esophagus, leading to inflammation, bleeding, and sometimes an open sore (ulcer). Esophagitis can cause chest pain ,heartburn ,bleeding and make swallowing difficult.
Esophageal Cancer:Damage from acid can cause changes in the tissue lining the lower esophagus. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are two primary forms of cancer that can develop in the esophagus.
Treatment approach of Functional Medicine and GERD:
Functional medicine offers the most safe and effective way to treat acid reflux. The experts will examine symptoms throughout the entire body, will also diagnose the root causes by having an overview of various aspects which may range from genetic makeup to lifestyle or biochemistry , this will help in addressing the imbalances and help individuals regain control of overall health.
For occasional symptoms, over-the-counter antacids can provide relief, but their frequent use may exacerbate the issue.Thus there is a need to avoid taking them if it can be avoided . Functional medicine will be the ideal way to have sustained relief and achieve the overall optimum good health and increased productivity .
Conclusion:
Promoting lifetime health by restoring balance and harmony in the body with the help of functional medicine is the choice of those who feel exhausted of the traditional therapeutic options for acid reflux . It isn't just about temporary relief; here the experts will aim for the permanent resolution of issues whenever possible. Experts in functional medicine assess various aspects, from gut health to mitochondrial health, hormone and enzyme production, and more and give a end result of a healthy mind and body as a whole
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