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What are the possible causes of acid reflux? ➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/
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Let's review:
1. too much acid
2. too little acid
3. a weak valve in your esophagus and/or diaphragm
4. your stomach contents move too slowly (gastroparesis)
5. increased intra-abdominal pressure
6. weak vagus nerve
7.chronic stress
8. poor diet, fatty diet, overeat
9. belly fat
Many of these causes are inter-related.
1. Too much acid is a bit of a misnomer unless you are trying to get off a PPI (antacid). At that point your stomach can be producing too much acid as a result of the medication suppressing it for so long.
Generally it's not too much acid but pressure on your stomach that is forcing acid up into your esophagus.
Why?
The pressure can occur from constipation, SIBO, food sensitivities, belly fat and/or other gut imbalances (dysbiosis).
What to do?
Start with the basics: adequate soluble fiber, hydration, don't over eat, chew well and eat slowly, take a walk after meals, avoid some key foods: chocolate, coffee, carbonation, tomatoes, garlic, onion, spicy foods, fatty foods, and mint.
This is where I want to offer help, but it's fine to take some steps on your own to see how you improve. We are always here for you!
2. too little acid. Is counterintuitive but read on. The stomach needs acid to keep the valve connecting your stomach to your esophagus closed. Too little acid - due to PPI drugs or aging, results in an open valve and heartburn.
What to do?
Review what follows with your doctor -don't try this is you suffer from an ulcer in your stomach or your esophagus.
If your symptoms are due to too little acid a trial of betaine hydrochloride can give you an idea if too little acid is the problem. You would take it just before a meal and see if your symptoms improve. [Note: I'm not giving this as advice to you because I'm not your doctor. This is for informational purposes only. Check with your doctor first.]
3. The valve between your stomach and esophagus can get weakened from a weakened vagus nerve.
Test your vagus nerve by looking in the mirror, open your mouth and say "ah". Look for your uvula - the little piece of tissue that dangles down at the back of your throat. When you say "ah" does it move straight up or does it deviate to one side? If so, that's not normal.
Vagus rebalancing techniques involve humming, gargling and doing an "eye gaze". Look that one up online as I'm running out of room per YT's allowed characters.
4. Gastroparesis - you feel like your food just "sits there" after eating.
Why? This can be a result of PPI drugs, a food sensitivity, blood sugar imbalances, infections in your gut (think SIBO), inflammation, low thyroid (hypothyroid), and not enough stomach acid.
What to do?
Home remedies are above. Dietarily, eating real whole foods and not overprocessed foods, avoiding sugar and alcohol can help blood sugar and lower the amount of foods you could be sensitive to.
Re: thyroid and infections in the gut, that's going to take a smart clinician who really knows how to diagnose and treat both, as appropriate.
Points 5 and 6 we've already discussed. There is another vagus nerve tip: a vagus nerve stimulator. I can provide a discount code for it if you're interested. We've been using it with patients for a long time with very good success.
7. Chronic stress - I go into this deeply in the video - scrub to that point and give a listen.
8. Poor diet - we've reviewed some good tips already.
9. Belly fat - this is the need to address weight, yes, but also the source o