GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a chronic disease of the digestive track caused by stomach acid flowing back into your esophagus. This chronic irritation to the lining of your esophagus causes acid reflux and heartburn. A GERD diagnosis is given when these symptoms occur two or more times a week.
Symptoms of GERD: (from the Mayo Clinic)
- Heartburn which feels like a burning feeling in the chest and sour taste in mouth
- Acid reflux: when food or sour liquid is regurgitated
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing or feeling of a lump in the throat
- Sore throat
Risk Factors
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Scleroderma
Self-Care Tips
- Based upon the risk factors, losing any additional weight will help release pressure on your stomach
- Avoid triggering substances which may include acidy foods like tomato sauce, caffeine, fried foods, alcohol
- Eat smaller meals and do not lie down for 3 hours after eating
- Sleep elevated on a pillow
- Quit smoking (see last week’s blog for smoking cessation tips)
How Chinese Medicine Can Help:
- Numerous herbs can help alleviate GERD symptoms. These include licorice, slippery elm and chamomile. Call our office for advisement.
- Acupuncture has been shown to help people with GERD. A study by Dickman et al (2007) found that electro-acupuncture was more effective than doubling the dose of a conventional proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy in reducing the symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation. For a copy of the full NIH report on Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders and Acupuncture in which this study is cited click here: NIH.GERD
At Wildwood Acupuncture Center–we are a family owned medically based clinic who will work in collaboration with other treatments you are receiving to enhance your treatment results.
Call us today to schedule a consultation: 301-530-5308