Heartburn, Hiatal Hernia, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
On this page:- What is Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD?
- What are the symptoms of GERD?
- GERD in Children
- What causes GERD?
- How is GERD treated?
- What are the long-term complications of GERD?
- Hope Through Research
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Addressing GERD Naturally with AloeElite
AloeElite is a healing supplement that benefits every cell, tissue and organ in the body. For people with GERD, the healing ingredient in AloeElite (Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharide) works as a potent anti-inflammatory, it brings the body to a more normal functioning level, it acts as an intercellular antioxidant, detoxifying the body naturally, it rebuilds and repairs the protective mucosa lining throughout the digestive tract and mends the damaged tissue of the mouth, the throat, the esophagus and the stomach. It aids digestion, enabling better absorption and assimilation of nutrients from food, it balances and restores proper immune system function and the aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides contain antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. Many of our clients use AloeElite for symptoms of moderate to severe GERD. When used as directed, we have a 97% to 98% success rate.
Find relief naturally with AloeElite.
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What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly and stomach contents leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach. The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. The fluid may even be tasted in the back of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion. Occasional heartburn is common but does not necessarily mean one has GERD. Heartburn that occurs more than twice a week may be considered GERD, and it can eventually lead to more serious health problems.
Anyone, including infants, children, and pregnant women, can have GERD.
The Aloe Mucillaginous Polysaccharide molecules in AloeElite naturally control inflammation, which helps normalize the function of the lower esophageal sphincter. If the lining of the esophagus has been damaged by stomach acid, AloeElite helps to mend the tissue. It also works to sooth the acidic stomach, neutralizing the acid thoughout the upper gastrointestinal tract.
A growing number of infants and small children suffer from moderate to severe gastric reflux diseases. AloeElite can be used by children and adults of all ages, in all states of health.
What are the symptoms of GERD?
The main symptoms are persistent heartburn and acid regurgitation. Some people have GERD without heartburn. Instead, they experience pain in the chest, hoarseness in the morning, or trouble swallowing. You may feel like you have food stuck in your throat or like you are choking or your throat is tight. GERD can also cause a dry cough and bad breath.
AloeElite soothes the damaged tissue, eliminating symptoms by addressing the irritation and inflammation, normalizing the functions of the GI tract.
GERD in Children
Studies* show that GERD is common and may be overlooked in infants and children. It can cause repeated vomiting, coughing, and other respiratory problems. Children's immature digestive systems are usually to blame, and most infants grow out of GERD by the time they are 1 year old. Still, you should talk to your child's doctor if the problem occurs regularly and causes discomfort. Your doctor may recommend simple strategies for avoiding reflux, like burping the infant several times during feeding or keeping the infant in an upright position for 30 minutes after feeding. If your child is older, the doctor may recommend avoiding
- sodas that contain caffeine
- chocolate and peppermint
- spicy foods like pizza
- acidic foods like oranges and tomatoes
- fried and fatty foods
Avoiding food 2 to 3 hours before bed may also help. The doctor may recommend that the child sleep with head raised.
Along with these useful strategies, AloeElite provides a non-toxic, all natural alternative to pharmaceutical medications.
*Jung AD. Gastroesophageal reflux in infants and children. American Family Physician. 2001;64(11):1853-1860.
What causes GERD?
No one knows why people get GERD. A hiatal hernia may contribute. A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach is above the diaphragm, the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest. The diaphragm helps the LES keep acid from coming up into the esophagus. When a hiatal hernia is present, it is easier for the acid to come up. In this way, a hiatal hernia can cause reflux. A hiatal hernia can happen in people of any age; many otherwise healthy people over 50 have a small one.
Other factors that may contribute to GERD include
- alcohol use
- overweight
- pregnancy
- smoking
Also, certain foods can be associated with reflux events, including
- citrus fruits
- chocolate
- drinks with caffeine
- fatty and fried foods
- garlic and onions
- mint flavorings
- spicy foods
- tomato-based foods, like spaghetti sauce, chili, and pizza
For more information on the role of stress and diet for people with GERD, visit the Health and Wellness page of our website. It includes information and tips, which may help bring you to a place where your health is more under your control.
How is GERD treated?
If you have had heartburn or any of the other symptoms for a while, you should consider seeing your doctor. You may want to visit an internist, a doctor who specializes in internal medicine, or a gastroenterologist, a doctor who treats diseases of the stomach and intestines. Depending on how severe your GERD is, treatment may involve one or more of the following lifestyle changes and medications or surgery. If you are looking for alternative medical care from a naturopathic physician, visit our Health and Wellness section for a list of doctors in your area.
Lifestyle Changes
- If you smoke, stop.
- Do not drink alcohol.
- Lose weight if needed.
- Eat small meals.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes.
- Avoid lying down for 3 hours after a meal.
- Raise the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches by putting blocks of wood under the bedposts--just using extra pillows will not help.
Medications
Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter antacids, which you can buy without a prescription, or medications that stop acid production or help the muscles that empty your stomach.
Antacids, such as Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepto-Bismol, Rolaids, and Riopan, are usually the first drugs recommended to relieve heartburn and other mild GERD symptoms. Many brands on the market use different combinations of three basic salts--magnesium, calcium, and aluminum--with hydroxide or bicarbonate ions to neutralize the acid in your stomach. Antacids, however, have side effects. Magnesium salt can lead to diarrhea, and aluminum salts can cause constipation. Aluminum and magnesium salts are often combined in a single product to balance these effects.
Calcium carbonate antacids, such as Tums, Titralac, and Alka-2, can also be a supplemental source of calcium. They can cause constipation as well.
Foaming agents, such as Gaviscon, work by covering your stomach contents with foam to prevent reflux. These drugs may help those who have no damage to the esophagus.
H2 blockers, such as cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC), nizatidine (Axid AR), and ranitidine (Zantac 75), impede acid production. They are available in prescription strength and over the counter. These drugs provide short-term relief, but over-the-counter H2 blockers should not be used for more than a few weeks at a time. They are effective for about half of those who have GERD symptoms. Many people benefit from taking H2 blockers at bedtime in combination with a proton pump inhibitor.
Proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and esomeprazole (Nexium), which are all available by prescription. Proton pump inhibitors are more effective than H2 blockers and can relieve symptoms in certain individuals who have GERD.
Another group of drugs, prokinetics, helps strengthen the sphincter and makes the stomach empty faster. This group includes bethanechol (Urecholine) and metoclopramide (Reglan). Metoclopramide also improves muscle action in the digestive tract, but these drugs have frequent side effects that limit their usefulness.
Because drugs work in different ways, combinations of drugs may help control symptoms. People who get heartburn after eating may take both antacids and H2 blockers. The antacids work first to neutralize the acid in the stomach, while the H2 blockers act on acid production. By the time the antacid stops working, the H2 blocker will have stopped acid production.
Many clients of AloeElite are using different pharmaceuticals along with the AloeElite when they first start taking our product. There are no contraindications whatsoever and, regardless of the drug, AloeElite can safely supplement and any pharmaceutical regimen. However, the goal of most of our clients is to slowly wein off of the drugs. This can typically be achieved through a slow, steady and conscientious process of listening to the body. If you feel like the drugs are no longer needed, you may decide it is time to start weining down.
What are the long-term complications of GERD?
Sometimes GERD can cause serious complications. Inflammation of the esophagus from stomach acid causes bleeding or ulcers. In addition, scars from tissue damage can narrow the esophagus and make swallowing difficult. Some people develop Barrett's esophagus, where cells in the esophageal lining take on an abnormal shape and color, which over time can lead to cancer.
Also, studies have shown that asthma, chronic cough, and pulmonary fibrosis may be aggravated or even caused by GERD.
For information about Barrett's esophagus, please see the Barrett's Esophagus fact sheet from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Do not let GERD escalate into something more serious. Address the problem naturally with AloeElite.
Hope Through Research
No one knows why some people who have heartburn develop GERD. Several factors may be involved, and research is under way on many levels. Risk factors--what makes some people get GERD but not others--are being explored, as is GERD's role in other conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
The role of hiatal hernia in GERD continues to be debated and explored. It is a complex topic because some people have a hiatal hernia without having reflux, while others have reflux without having a hernia.
Much research is needed into the role of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Our ability to eliminate H. pylori has been responsible for reduced rates of peptic ulcer disease and some gastric cancers. At the same time, GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and cancers of the esophagus have increased. Researchers wonder whether having H. pylori helps prevent GERD and other diseases. Future treatment will be greatly affected by the results of this research.
For More Information
American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
4900-B South 31st Street
Arlington, VA 22206-1656
Phone: (703) 820-7400
Fax: (703) 931-4520
Internet: www.acg.gi.org
American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)
National Office
4930 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (301) 654-2055
Fax: (301) 652-3890
Email: webinfo@gastro.org
Internet: www.gastro.org
North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology,
and Nutrition (NASPGHAN)
P.O. Box 6
Flourtown, PA 19031
Phone: (215) 233-0808
Fax: (215) 233-3939
Email: naspghan@naspghan.org
Internet: www.naspghan.org
Pediatric/Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association Inc.
(PAGER)
P.O. Box 1153
Germantown, MD 20875-1153
Phone: (301) 601-9541
Email: gergroup@aol.com
Internet: www.reflux.org