Safe and Effective Ways to Treat Acid Reflux
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease affects close to 20% of the population and can be treated symptomatically with medication although Acid Reflux Acupuncture can be used along with herbs has shown to reduce the frequency and the relapse rate according to an article in www.healthcmi.com/acupuncture. Because acupuncture and herbs can improve the parastasis and digestion, the root cause of the acid reflux can be addressed, therefore patients do not have to take herbs or use acupuncture forever. On the other hands, patients who use anti-acid medications, will use the medication for many years, leading to deficiency of vitamins and minerals, thus, anemia, dementia, Alzamer’s disease according to Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. David Perlmutter.
Causes and Symptoms of Acid Reflux
The backflow of the gastric juices into the esophagus can be related with a diet low in fiber, too much caffeine, salt and carbonated drinks. Large meals, alcohol, excessive intake of chocolates and acidic juices can all contribute to GERD. One of the primary symptoms of acid reflux is heartburn, a burning sensation felt in the breastbone area. It can get worse while lying down and bending over and can last for several hours. Persistent overeating can cause the pain to move towards the throat and neck leaving behind a bitter taste. Overweight can also contribute to the acid reflux. Other symptoms include a dry persistent cough accompanied with or without wheezing and recurrent pneumonia. Individuals also experience difficulty in swallowing, soreness, pain, bad breath, erosion of teeth and laryngitis. Acupuncture and herbs are effective and safe treatment for acid reflux because acupuncture can not only help speed up the peristalsis, but also can strengthen the digestive function, so the food will not be stuck in the stomach to increase the stomach pressure . Failure to treat GERD can lead to an increased risk of cancer and damage to the esophagus. The constant irritation to the esophagus lining can cause bleeding, ulceration and irritation. Scar development due to damage can lead to difficulties with swallowing.
Preventions and Precautions
There are lifestyle changes that one can make to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. One must eat smaller meals and chew slowly in order not to fill the stomach to the brim and cause acid reflux. There are certain foods that must be avoided such as spicy and fatty foods, onions, garlic, chocolate, tea, alcohol, coffee and mint. Carbonated drinks should be completely avoided and drink lots of water instead. After a meal, avoid the urge to sleep immediately. Ensure that there is a three hour gap between a meal and a nap. Vigorous physical activity right after eating can trigger GERD especially if bending is involved. When resting, ensure your head is higher than your feet. Provide enough uniform support for your upper body. It always helps to lose weight since an increase in weight decreases the pressure on the sphincter valve that stops acid reflux. Nicotine in a cigarette can relax the esophageal sphincter and so can certain medications such as antidepressants, painkillers and estrogen. A doctor can prescribe medication to help treat the symptoms and control the reflux. You can also opt for Acid Reflux Acupuncture along with lifestyle changes.
According to studies conducted in 2017, Acid Reflux Acupuncture‘outperforms routine drug therapy’ and used along with herbs is more effective in order to treat gastroesophageal reflux, reduce the damage and prevent cancer.
Mrs. Liu Hong, came to Boca Raton Acupuncture Clinic due to her acid reflex problem. She had been a healthy and busy lady working in a Delray Beach Public School for the past 20 years. She gets up early and arrives at her school around 7 a. m. from her Boynton Beach home. She then drinks a large cup of coffee with her breakfast, which includes some pastry or regular yogurt. Her students come from different areas in Delray Beach. Most of the parents are very busy with their work and have no time to spend with their children. Mrs. Liu needs a lot of energy to deal with these children growing up in a special environment. She needs to be alert to watch the kids so they do not hurt each other. This daily high stress job makes Mrs. Liu’s stomach tighten up like a fist. Her food was digested slowly. Furthermore, the 16oz of coffee with the high sugar breakfast, made her stomach move even slower. The food is sitting in her stomach for more than 3 hours and produces a lot of bloating, gas and acid reflex. When the acid reflex comes, she feels so tired that that she has to lie down, and she also has a nausea sensation which makes her want to vomit. The nausea and acid reflex are even worse than the stomach pain, because she cannot focus on her teaching. She sometimes has to stop driving on her way from Delray Beach to Boynton Beach. She went to her PCP in a Pompano Beach family practice. As a routine, she got anti-acid medication, an proton pump inhibitor, Prilosec . She had tried medication for a few months, and noticed that her acid reflex is slightly improved, but she become very anxious about small things. She even had a few panic attacks during a presentation. Now she feels very nervous about public speech. She used to enjoy giving presentations to the public. She finally decided to see the Boca Raton acupuncturist after she watched the acid reflex video in YouTube, hoping she can get rid of her acid reflux without adding more anxiety to her teaching life.
Her Boca Raton acupuncturist first recommended that she avoid any sugary food, especially when she has a full stomach. The sugar can slow down your digestion, making you feel very full. Cutting down on the sugar intake is very difficult, because almost all the processed foods are loaded with fructose. The simple sugar can create inflammation in the blood vessels and stomach membrane, making the digestion of protein and good oil, even more difficult. That is one of the reasons that more and more people cannot digest the gluten. Gluten is a very good source of protein, which requires enzyme to digest. If the stomach and intestine are inflamed, you cannot digest the valuable nutrients. Mrs. Lin started eating more homemade food with low salt and sugar. Instead of eating three big meals, she has 4 or 5 small meals, and she eats fruits between each meal as her snacks. Her acupuncturist used a group of special points to speed up the stomach and intestine regular movement called peristalsis. Her acid reflex was resolved after 12 acupuncture treatments in Boca Raton Acupuncture Clinic. She also noticed that she has more energy and feels more relaxed when she is giving a public speech in Fort Lauderdale, Parkland and Palm Beach Gardens, during the teaching conference.