GERD (Gastro-esophageal reflux disease)

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HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF ACID REFLUX DISEASE
You have merely enjoyed an evening of festivity, savoring certain foods and drinks, when unexpectedly it strikes.
You pop an antacid, think twice about eating certain foods, and move on with your life thinking it is no big deal. But,
when this becomes a constant daily battle, it’s time to get it fixed. Acid reflux, also known as Gastro-esophageal
reflux or GERD. Acid reflux can be an excruciating illness and if left untreated it can outcome in damage to the
esophagus and larynx (voice box) leading to crucial complications. When you gulp down food it passes down your
throat and through your esophagus - a tube that transports food from your throat to your stomach. A muscle termed
the lower esophageal sphincter dominates the opening between the esophagus and the stomach, and remains
firmly closed except when you swallow food. When this muscle fails to close or relaxes at the wrong time, the
strong stomach juices build up and travel back into the esophagus. This backward movement is called reflux which
if persisted causes blisters in the lining of the esophagus, leading to pain and various other symptoms. Don't ignore
GERD! Powerful stomach acid and digestive juices can cause serious damage to your throat and esophagus and
impair your ability to swallow, breathe, and speak
Causes of Acid Reflux:
• Hiatus Hernia (a situation in which the stomach extends beyond the muscle wall that detaches the stomach from
the chest making it easier for the acid to reflux up).
• Excessive smoking and alcohol.
• Eating substantial meals at a time or eating too quickly.
• Lying down shortly after eating.
• Laborious physical activity instantly after meals.
• Overweight.
• Pregnancy.
• Certain foods such as spicy, fried, chocolate, caffeine, onions, tomatoes, citrus and carbonated beverages.
• Certain medications like sedatives and calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure.
• Stress.
Symptoms of Acid Reflux:
• Heartburn – burning feeling in the stomach, chest or throat.
• Acid or food regurgitation.
• Sour or bitter taste in the mouth.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Choking.
• Vomiting blood and black colored stools.
• Hoarseness or sore throat.
• Abdominal or Chest pain.
• Dry cough.
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing.
• Bad breath.
• Inflammation of the gums and erosion of tooth enamel.
• Back pain.
• Weight loss.
Homeopathic approach to Acid Reflux:
Homeopathy is very proficient in managing all the symptoms of Acid Reflux and furthermore plays a vital role in
preventing relapse of the condition. Homeopathic approach is attractive to many people because it doesn’t have the
side effects that over the counter and prescription medications do. Homeopathic medicines are individualized
based on the physical, emotional, and genetic make up of the patient. This constitutional approach, framing mind
and body works at the root-level. Homeopathic medicines will act as a base to help neutralize the acid, will
rebalance pH by cleansing and restoring the digestive system, and strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter.
Homeopathic treatment is natural, safe, gentle and without side-effects. Another impressive thing about
Homeopathy is that people on multiple medications can safely take Homeopathic medicines. Homeopathic drugs
are FDA approved, are non-habit forming and have no addictive characteristics.
Since Homeopathy treats in totality, it leads to a permanent long-lasting cure, rather than a temporary suppression
of symptoms, and you will be able to enjoy all kinds of food to the fullest. So, food lovers, you won't have to think
anymore before eating. Some Homeopathic remedies that are commonly used to treat Acid Reflux or GERD
are mentioned below. These remedies are just a few of the commonly used Homeopathic remedies and are
mentioned only to create awareness about the effectiveness of Homeopathic medicines in Acid Reflux. It is
not advisable to resort to self-medication for any disease.
Homeopathic remedies for Acid Reflux:
Carbo Veg: This remedy is preeminently suited to individuals with sluggish digestion, very offensive flatulence in
upper part of the stomach and burning extending to the back. These patients feel better after releasing gas or sour
eructations, from bending double and from fanning. Their stomach feels full after a few mouthfuls. Symptoms are
always worse from slightest exertion, on lying flat, in the morning and after eating even plain foods. These patients
are unable to tolerate tight clothing around the waist and stomach, their voice is hoarse with continual gagging and
itching in the throat.
Ipecac: This is a brilliant remedy for painful, uneasy, sick feeling in chest and stomach with persistent nausea and
vomiting. There may be diarrhea which is green in color. Symptoms are worse after eating raisins and cakes.
These patients dislike food. They are very sensitive to warm and cold. Their acid reflux could be a result of
suppressed anger, eruptions and vexation.
Iris Versicolor: This is an outstanding remedy for persons having sour, bitter belching, acidity causing sick
headaches, and diarrhea particularly at night. There is lack of appetite, severe burning in the mouth, tongue, throat,
stomach, almost the entire Gastrointestinal tract, with abundant flow of saliva. Mouth feels scalded. All symptoms
feel better from continued motion.
Magnesium Phos: This remedy is suited to persons who are oversensitive, always stressed with spasmodic pains,
are sleepless due to indigestion and are constantly passing flatus. There is dry tickling cough, sore throat with a
constant thirst for cold drinks. The stomach pains are better by rubbing, bending double, warmth, pressure,
loosening clothes and walking.
Natrum Muriaticum: This remedy is indicated in persons suffering from severe heartburn with unquenchable thirst
and excessive craving for salt. They have a frothy coating on their tongue with dry gums and loss of taste, get
recurrent mouth ulcers. Their ailments are from grief, quarrels. These patients are hungry all the time but still loose
weight. They have a strong desire for salt, fish, sour, bitter, beer and are thirstly for cold drinks. Acid reflux
symptoms are worse from lying down, mental exertion, talking, heat, at 10 am and are better from pressure, tight
clothing, going without regular meals and in open air.
Natrum Phosphoricum: This is a superlative remedy for ailments due to excess of acidity. The patient has
difficulty swallowing with sour eructation’s and taste with sour vomiting, greenish offensive diarrhea. Acid reflux can
be worse from eating sugar, milk, fatty foods, from thunderstorms and mental exertion. The patient has canker
sores on lips, cheeks and tip of tongue with a creamy white or golden yellow coating at the back of the tongue.
These patients are sleepless due to indigestion.
Robinia: This is an exclusive remedy for acid reflux in children and adults who are sour smelling. It works well in
cases of pronounced acidity where starch digestion is perverted in children. The acidity is accompanied with frontal
headache, burning pain in stomach, acrid eructations, sour smelling stools, acrid and greenish vomiting. Their
symptoms are worse at night on lying down preventing them from sleeping.
Self – care measures:
• Chewing on a small piece of ginger root helps quiet the stomach.
• Avoid food for at least 3 hours before bed time.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking.
• Eat small meals.
• Do not bend over after eating.
• Lying down on your left side should also reduce the tendency for stomach contents to reflux while sleeping.
• Eat foods like papaya, pineapple, ginger, cabbage, yoghurt.
• Drink plenty of fluids all day, but avoid large amounts of water after dinner or near bedtime.
• Wear loose fitting clothes.
• Use extra pillows under your head.
• Lose weight.
• Reduce stress.
Hence, consider Homeopathy and end the pain and suffering of Acid Reflux, also enjoy a good sleep again and eat
all that you crave for.
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About the author:
Neepa Sevak (DHMS, DHom, DIHom, DHM, CCH, RSHom (NA), HMA) is experienced and registered with the
Arizona Homeopathic Board of Medical Examiners, and certified by the Council of Homeopathic certification. She is
currently practicing Classical Homeopathy, is a Supervisor, Clinical Faculty and is on the Board of International
Affairs at the American Medical College of Homeopathy. She also coaches students with clinical cases at the
Teleosis School of Homeopathy in North America. Neepa is also serving as a specialist at ACA (Autism Community
of Africa, an organization that is helping heal Autistic children in Africa, with the help of Homeopathic remedies).
Her mission is to “Promote Health through Homeopathy with a Holistic, Totalistic, and Individualistic approach”.
Phone: (480) 363 0758
Email: homeopathiccure@cox.net
Website: www.homeopathic-cure.com
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