Heartburn: The natural way of healing

Millions of people across the nation suffer from heartburn daily. The most common symptom of heartburn is the burning sensation in the chest/stomach or esophagus and often accompanied by a bad taste in the mouth or throat. Acute cases of heartburn can be a condition called acid reflux or Gerd (gastro esophageal reflux disease). Any form is unpleasant whether it is an acute case or not. Stomach acid splashing or rising into the esophagus and throat is often painful and serious. If the esophagus is constantly damaged by the backflow or reflux of the stomach acid, a condition called Barrett’s Esophagus can develop in extreme cases. Barrett’s Esophagus is a precursor to esophageal cancer.

When chronic acid reflux or esophagitis is not properly controlled, Barrett’s Esophagus develops. Normal cells that line the esophagus called squamous change into specialized columnar cells from constant inflammation and damage to the esophagus. Columnar cells, not normally found in humans, can become cancerous.

Physically, heartburn is cause by the lower esophageal sphincter’s improper function. The lower esophageal sphincter is a ringed muscle at the bottom of the esophagus which relaxes to allow food to enter the stomach. If functioning properly, the muscle then retracts to keep the digestive fluids or stomach acids from entering the esophagus. If this muscle becomes too relaxed or damaged, the fluids or acids are allowed to escape the stomach, and enter the esophagus, of course, causing heartburn or acid reflux.

Acid Reflux or heartburn can be caused by many things. The food we consume and how we consume it, is an important part. Acidic food, not chewing your food completely or properly, eating large meals and lying down within three hours of eating a large meal are all factors that contribute to acid reflux.

There are many causes of the lower esophageal sphincter becoming lazy or relaxed and they are not just food we consume. Other factors include smoking, drinking alcohol and prescription drugs, fresh or raw onions, garlic, fried foods, chocolate, and spicy foods.

There are two ways to treat heartburn or acid reflux. There is the allopathic medical approach and the holistic approach to the disease. Medical personnel prescribe drugs such as H2 receptor antagonists that include Tagamet and Zantac or PPI drugs like Nexium and Prilosec. These drugs slow down the production or suppress the production of stomach acid. Not only is this dangerous because it effects proper digestion of food but they have harmful side effects as well. Prescribing these drugs only treats the symptoms and doesn’t cure the disease. If it did, pharmaceutical companies would go out of business.

The alternative for treating acid reflux is by holistic treatment. Holistic means treating the whole being not just parts or collection of parts. Don’t just treat the symptoms, but treat the person as a whole.

Holistic treatment is all natural with no side effects making it by far the safest and most effective approach. This alternative way of treatment can actually cure the condition unlike prescribe drugs and is a lot less expensive.

What we eat and drink determines the PH level of the body. To have acid reflux develop in our body, our bodies must become acidic. By treating the whole body, acid reflux will disappear.

Raw potato, celery and cabbage juice are very alkaline in nature and help to correct acid stomach. Papain, a digestive enzyme in papaya juice, will sooth the stomach and helps in breaking down proteins. Demulcents, a category of herbs containing slippery elm, bladderwrack and marshmallow aid digestion by soothing inflamed or affected areas. It forms a protective barrier against digestive irritants and stomach acid.

Meditation can also aid in the cure of acid reflux. Start the meditation exercise by deep breathing for at least 10 minutes. Keep your eyes closed and visualize your stomach, the LES, esophagus and throat as young and perfect, as you continue to breath deeply, picture yourself in perfect glowing health. See yourself relaxed, eating slowly and enjoying your food, in a stress free atmosphere, with the food being digested in a perfect manner. Your body is working in perfect harmony.

Proper, regular exercise and weight loss are important as well. Yoga can be beneficial to the body as a whole. Drinking the recommended daily amount of water not only flushes the toxins from the system, but is helpful in diluting stomach acid between meals.

The medicine of the future is the all natural holistic approach. We can all be a part of that healing future.