Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is also known as esophageal reflux, reflux, or heartburn. The classic symptom is a burning sensation in the chest, due to stomach acid regurgitating into the esophagus. While this is a classic symptom, there are many other symptoms that often go undiagnosed. These include:
RESPIRATORY: chronic dry cough, chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic ear infections, chronic sinusitis, inflammation of throat and larynx (chronic sore throat)
DIGESTIVE: regurgitation, burping, nausea, ulcers, strictures (caused by scar tissue from chronic esophageal irritation), Barrett’s esophagus (pre-cancerous condition occuring in 10% of GERD patients), chronic gas and bloating
GENERAL: a sense of fullness or pressure in the chest, heart palpitations
The anatomy of the area associated with GERD is complicated, and can become disrupted relatively easily. GERD usually occurs due to a weakness or dysfunction in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which separates the esophagus from the stomach. The LES is normally closed, only opening when food passes through the esophagus into the stomach. When there is dysfunction in the LES causing it to remain slightly open, stomach acid travels up and irritates the esophagus. The diaphragm also plays a role in this system, which is why there are so many respiratory symptoms associated with GERD. The diaphragm normally wraps around the area under the LES, causing an additional amount of pressure to keep the stomach acids in the stomach. In GERD, this diaphragmatic area can become inflamed with stomach acid, causing irritation to the diaphragm which creates a dry cough or other respiratory symptoms.
Most MDs will treat GERD with acid-blocking agents. This changes the pH of the stomach acid so that the GERD-sufferer does not feel the burning, although the stomach acid is still moving up into the esophagus. Acid-blocking agents have the added danger of not allowing the stomach acid to do its job of digesting food. Our bodies need stomach acid to digest food properly. As stomach acid is alkalinized and food is not digested properly, over time the GERD patient will probably develop food allergies or nutritional deficiencies.
Fortunately, there is naturopathic treatment for the causes of GERD. This treatment would be individualized for each patient, and would probably include a physical as well as a nutritional component. Physically, a procedure called Visceral Manipulation (VM) can be used to relocate the stomach below the diaphragm, in its proper position. Usually this treatment also relaxes the LES and area surrounding the diaphragm so that everything can function optimally. Your doctor will usually suggest at least three VM treatments to determine if this method will work for you. In addition to the physical treatment of VM, nutritional therapies to treat stomach acid imbalances (too much or too little) or other digestive complaints that have developed would be indicated. Naturopathic medicine can also help to heal tissue damaged by stomach acid imbalances.
The treatment of GERD and the digestive disturbances that result is an arena where naturopathic medicine shines. We can really address the cause of the problem, in a holistic manner. If you or anyone you know has been diagnosed with GERD, or experiences any of the symptoms listed above, I encourage you to seek an assessment and naturopathic treatment of this all too common malady.