Weight Management, Ginger, and Acupuncture
Gastroesophageal reflux disorder or GERD occurs when acid from the stomach enters the esophagus due to the esophageal sphincter either opening at inappropriate times or not closing tightly enough. GERD is constituted by regurgitation, chest pain, trouble swallowing, and heartburn. Surprisingly, according to Wikipedia, GERD affects 45% of American adults. If you suffer from GERD, you can naturally relieve your painful symptoms with these remedies.
Gastroesaphogeal Reflux Disorder
As I said above, the most common symptoms of GERD for adults include chest pain, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, and regurgitation. However, adults can also suffer other less common symptoms of GERD, including excessive salivation, experiencing pain while swallowing, and nausea, according to Wikipedia.
Weight Control
One of the biggest risk factors for developing GERD is being overweight. Thus, if you are overweight, it might serve you well to lose some weight. Stomach weight can put pressure on the esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to travel into the esophagus, according to the website Home Remedies.
Lose weight healthily. Eat smaller meals, but don’t starve yourself. Additionally, try to cut down on the amount of sugar and carbohydrates you eat and replace them with more fruits and vegetables. Exercising regularly is also an important aspect to losing weight. Talk to your doctor about a good weight loss plan to meet your specific needs.
Ginger
Research has show that the 5HT3 receptor plays a large role in the gastrointestinal tract. Research has also discovered that blocking this receptor appears to help restore normal gastrointestinal function. Not only does ginger sooth the stomach, it also appears to block the 5HT3 receptor. Thus, adding ginger to your diet may serve you well if you suffer with GERD.
Acupuncture
Many individuals who have GERD are often started on proton pump inhibitors, the most common medical treatment for GERD. In a research study, acupuncture was added to a once daily dose of proton pump inhibitors. It was discovered that acupuncture offered significantly more relief from GERD than an additional dose of proton pump inhibitors for the participants of the study.
Acupuncture is an aspect of traditional Chinese medicine. The theory behind it is that we have energy inside us called qi, and that this energy travels through channels known as meridians. When qi becomes blocked, we become sick or ill. Acupuncture places thin needles at specific points on the body in order to unblock the energy, allowing our bodies to heal themselves.
GERD is a painful condition, but you can treat it naturally with acupuncture, ginger, and weight management.
Sources:
Home Remedies: GERD Alternative Treatments
Alternative Health and Medicine: Gastrointestinal Center
Wikipedia: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder
Digestion, Health & Nutrition: GERD Acupuncture Treatment
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