Disease (GERD)
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- What is GERD?
- Symptoms of GERD
- Causes of GERD
- Prevention of GERD
- Risk factors for GERD
- Complications of GERD
- When to see a doctor about GERD
- Diagnosis of GERD
- Conventional treatment of GERD
- Alternative/complementary treatment of GERD
- Living with GERD
- Caring for someone with GERD
Living with gastro-eosophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Gastro-eosophageal reflux disease (GERD) requires some diligence to try to reduce symptoms and some supplementation may be required to help heal the digestive system and reduce severity and duration of symptoms. The following are the strategies most recommended to achieve this:
- Avoid cigarette smoke - people who smoke have to give up. This is just another reason to help with the decision to stop smoking. Cigarette smoke causes a number of problems with digestion and should be avoided. People who do not smoke should avoid exposure to second hand smoke from people who smoke around them
- Avoid coffee - it is advisable to avoid coffee as it can cause abdominal cramping and diarrhoea in many people with diverticulitis. There are a number of alternatives to coffee which are actually good for the digestive system (such as roasted dandelion root)
- Digestive and pancreatic enzymes - the digestive and pancreatic enzymes are released by the digestive to help digest foods that are eaten so that their nutrients can be absorbed through the bloodstream. Digestions starts mainly in the stomach and ends in the small intestine. The digestive and pancreatic enzymes help to increase the amount of food digested by reducing the load on the digestive system
- Essential fatty acids - the essential fatty acids, especially the omega 3 (DHA/EPA) and omega 6 (GLA) are vital for a properly functioning gastrointestinal system as they reduce inflammation that may be associated with this digestive disorder and this reduces severity and duration of symptoms. The best way to get adequate levels of the essential fatty acids is to eat 3-4 servings of oily fish each week and ensure it is deep ocean, wild fish (not farmed). The fish with the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids are: mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout, tuna. People who cannot eat fish should try a supplement with balanced levels of each of the essential fatty acids and ensure it has been tested for mercury
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- Fibre - increasing the amount of fibre in the diet is vital for ensuring healthy digestion. The best types of soluble fibres is psyllium, which helps the intestinal flora digest food properly. The best ways to add psyllium or slippery elm to the diet are in: smoothies, milkshakes, sauces, yoghurt, breakfast cereal, muesli, dips. Suggested dosage is up to 2-3 teaspoons per day, but add it gradually if fibre hasn't been an integral part of the diet previously, start with 1/2 teaspoon for a few days and add another 1/2 teaspoon every 4 days until at the 2-3 teaspoons a day level
- Limit alcohol - it may be necessary to stop drinking any alcohol while the stomach, eosophagus and lower eosophageal sphincter (LOS) and the rest of the digestive system are in the process of healing and this is because alcohol is known to irritate and put pressure on these tissues and cause worsening of symptoms
- Probiotics - the "good" bacteria may be in short supply in the digestive system which could be contributing to the symptoms. Acidophilus and other probiotic bacteria are required to help re-populate the intestines with "good" bacteria, which help to properly digest foods and reduce the amount of undigested food that escapes the gut. People who are not lactose intolerant should also include yoghurt that has live cultures
- Reduce stress and relax - prolonged and unrelenting stress is not good for healthy digestion. While stress is not known to cause leaky gut syndrome, it certainly can make symptoms worse because it causes the parasympathetic nervous system to remain in stress mode, which means digestion and absorption is not effective as the nerve that controls it prevents it from happening properly. Effective stress reduction techniques are needed to reduce stress and reduce symptoms
- Slippery elm - the herb slippery elm is necessary for intestinal health as it is required to heal the intestinal mucosa by providing a mucilaginous layer over the intestinal wall, which reduces the stress on the intestines and helps to heal the intestines more quickly
- Smaller meals - eat smaller meals to help reduce the load on the digestive system, which is not working properly and cannot handle larger meals, which can cause worsening of symptoms when the stomach and intestines struggles to handle the large amount of food eaten. Aim to have around 6 smaller meals each day
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< 10: alternative treatment 12: caregiving > Last reviewed: 10 November 2007 || Last updated: 3 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
