Encompassing both heartburn and acid reflux, GERD occurs when the gastric acid rises up the esophagus and the mouth. Heartburn is the burning sensation felt in the retro-sternal area that travels up to the throat.

GERD comes with a variety of symptoms that include a vague hunger, nausea, stomach distention, and abdominal pain. Because of the constant acid erosion of the esophageal wall, patients with chronic GERD may find it painful to swallow or regurgitate. The condition may lead to hoarseness and a sore throat. The stomach acid may enter the lungs resulting in asthma or bronchitis. Over the course of time, GERD can result in cancer or Barrett’s Esophagus.

Factors that Can Lead To GERD

Yin Deficiency of the Liver and Stomach

Longstanding abundant heat due to eating overly heated foods, and stress among other factors can weaken Stomach Yin. Symptoms include constipation, dry stools, dry mouth, vague hunger, appetite loss, dull pain, early morning reflux that can be alleviated by eating, heartburn and acidity that worsens in the evening or by stress, and chronic GERD. When combined with irregular eating or over eating and a sedentary lifestyle, liver stomach yin deficiency can lead to stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, bad breath, burping up undigested food particles, and GERD relieved by vomiting or worsens after a large meal.

Yang Deficiency of the Stomach and Spleen Qi

If the digestive system has been weakened for a long time, the movement of food into the gastrointestinal tract slows down. This results in symptoms such as intolerance to cold, loose stools, fatigue, poor appetite, sour belching, drooling, after meal bloating, stomach pain relieved by pressure and warmth, heartburn during the night, pain when bending or when pressure is exerted in the stomach, or stomach pain from eating raw or hard to digest foods.

Food Stagnation

Food stagnation can happen from irregular eating or overeating more so when a sedentary lifestyle is factored in. Symptoms include stomach pain relieved by diarrhea or constipation, bad breath, burping up undigested food particles, and GERD that worsens after a large meal.

Liver and Stomach Heat

People with Stagnation of Liver Qi Stagnation are susceptible to these disharmony patterns although they can also arise by eating too much of heating foods where GERD sensations can be felt just right after eating. Symptoms include a tendency to be angry, irritability, thirst, dry mouth, a burning sensation, burping, and a sour reflux that may occur in the middle of the night.

Excessive Phlegm-Damp

People with chronic Qi Deficiency of the Spleen produce a pathological side effect known as Dampness. Dampness slows down circulation of energy, blood and body fluids can thicken to produce Phlegm. This impairs the normal downward flow of Abdominal Qi. The symptoms are similar to Liver and Stomach heat but with the additional symptoms of a musty body odor, headaches, dizziness, mucus, weight gain, poor concentration, heavy limbs, tiredness, loose stools, and a low taste sensation.

Stagnation of Liver Qi Affecting the Abdomen

Extreme stress and high emotions can cause this condition. Symptoms include tension in the neck and shoulders, cold toes and fingers, PMS, headaches, anxiety, depression, irritability, frequent burping or sighing, appetite loss, alternating episodes diarrhea and constipation, bloating, epigastric tenderness, and hypochondria.

LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) Dysfunction

Causes: lying down after a meal, high-fat meals, weak control of the LES, and food stagnation. Symptoms: delayed stomach emptying, and lessened clearance of reflux matter from the esophagus,

Lifestyle

Stress, overeating, eating on the go or at odd hours as well as unresolved and/or unexpressed emotions that accumulates in the gut can result in GERD. Stress stagnates Qi flow and invades the stomach causing Stomach Qi to go upward instead of downward which is its normal flow. The stagnated Qi can also result in constipation causing a backing up in the intestinal system resulting in more Stomach Qi to go upwards.

Diet

Eating naturally hot foods such as chocolate, coffee, alcohol, spices, and chili can increase the likelihood of GERD. Contributors to GERD can also include foods that are naturally over acidic like garlic, onions, radishes, uncooked peppers, tomatoes, and citrus fruits, overconsumption of raw and cold foods as well as strict dieting that can harm digestive functions, and drugs like antibiotics,.

How to Prevent the Occurrence of GERD

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

One way to correct imbalances in your body that leads to GERD symptoms is by having yourself treated with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Of course, this treatment needs to be complemented by lifestyle and diet changes.

Lifestyle and Diet Changes

Recommended foods that can help soothe your digestive function include raw potato juice mixed with water and aloe vera juice drank three times a day. Taking a tablespoon of diluted apple cider vinegar along with your food can also help. It’s important not to eat at least three hours before you sleep. When in bed lay on your left side to keep your abdomen below your esophagus. Be careful in taking medications that suppress stomach production. These include Tagamet, Pepcid, Protonix, Prevacid, Nexium, and Zantac. Also be careful taking prescription Advil and Aspirin as well as estrogen drugs.

For Yin Deficiency in the Liver and Stomach flaxseed oil, rich-colored veggies, beans and seeds, stews, soups, and nourishing roots can help. Caffeine, coffee, and spiced foods should be avoided.

For Yang Deficiency of Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency, recommended foods include lightly cooked veggies. Avoid eating broths, stews, soups, and raw foods. Eat your meals in smaller portions and in greater frequently.

Accumulation of Phlegm-Damp – for this pattern of disharmony lower your consumption of carbohydrates except millet and rice barley. Lower your intake of raw foods, oils, fats, sweets, and sugar. Foods recommended include pepper, horseradish, mustard, garlic, and ginger.

Food Stagnation and/or Liver Qi Stagnation- recommended foods lower portions of complex carbs, veggies, ginger tea, proteins, fats, and digestive enzymes. Also recommended is eating dinner earlier, reduction or better management of stress, and doing pre-meal exercises.

Liver and Stomach Heat- eat raw, pungent, cool, pungent or bitter foods. These include veggies and fruits. Lower consumption of proteins especially fish. Do not consume alcohol, coffee, greasy and fired foods, complicated meals, and spicy foods.

Across the counter antacids can effectively provide symptomatic relief, but when used for extended periods of time, can lead to long-term problems. These medications were not meant to resolve the underlying cause of GERD and moreover, they have adverse side effects associated with the metal content that include nausea, gas, belching, diarrhea, and constipation. Aluminum-based medications and calcium, for example, can cause constipation, while magnesium can make you prone to diarrhea. Expect bloating and gas when regularly taking sodium bicarbonate and stomach acid rebound effect when taking calcium carbonate in the long-term. Some of the negative side effects of antacids include:

-Bloating
-Gas
-Impair digestion
-Weaken the absorption of nutrient
-Electrolyte imbalance

Emily Farish Acupuncture
400 S. Jefferson, Suite 203
Spokane, WA 99204
Phone: 509-217-9262
emilyfarishacupuncture.com