Since GERD is so complex, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying the problem. GERD is caused by a hyalal hernia. When there is a hernia of the esophageal opening, the esophagus has different degrees of gastric acid reflux. The main symptom of GERD is heartburn. Another common problem associated with GERD is “water stress” or a feeling of acid in the throat. It is not uncommon for people with poor reflux, which is what GERD, have vocal cord irritation, cough and chronic sore throat, especially in the morning and even asthma.
A hiatus hernia is simply caused by an overstressing of the stomach, which unfortunately leads to the fact that the lower end of the esophagus is also overstretched. When the esophagus is overloaded, the acid rises freely into the esophagus, which is not intended to process acid.
Heartburn is also often caused by gastritis or inflammation of the stomach. These two conditions can be difficult to differentiate, and they can only be done by endoscopy or placing the area down the throat in the lower esophagus and stomach. Gastritis is considered to be a completely different condition, although both of them tend to be treated with acid suppression with drugs such as Zantac, Prilosec, a purple pill. [protonix], etc.
The condition that is most alarming with GERD is esophagitis, called reflux esophagitis. In the worst case, it becomes known as Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus can lead to esophageal cancer due to chronic irritation of the acid of the lower end of the esophagus.
Thus, there are two approaches to the treatment of GERD.
The first is to reduce the acid reflux in the esophagus. It again uses drugs to suppress acid. In a holistic world, the main strategy is to reduce the time during which food sits in the stomach and tries to heal the esophagus. The drugs used to suppress acid reflux into the esophagus simply reduce the production of acid. They do nothing to heal the esophagus or stomach. In this case, doctors are very strict to self-healing. Holistic doctors use an extra strategy, using a supplement called DGL or aloe to help heal the lining of the esophagus and stomach.
The second important strategy is to reduce the time during which food comes out of the stomach. Unfortunately, with acid blockers, we are in Catch-22. By suppressing stomach acid, we also cannot digest our food, and therefore, it tends to sit in the stomach longer. When contradictory, we usually recommend that people with GERD actually use acid during meals. Many people do develop reflux simply because they no longer have enough acid in their stomachs to properly digest their food. This means that the food sits there too long and is therefore more prone to reflux into the esophagus. For this purpose, people can use apple cider vinegar, 1 to 2 tablespoons per 4 ounces of water at the end of each meal, or actually use an acidic drug, such as betaine hydrochloride, in the proper dose.
Digestion really starts in the mouth. People need to properly, until their food becomes liquid, before it leaves the mouth. This prior assimilation reduces the amount of work that the stomach has to do, and as a result, the food will more quickly exit the stomach, reducing reflux. I firmly believe that most of our reflux problems in our society are that people do not chew adequately, due to how much we end up in a hurry. In addition, people with reflux - especially with morning symptoms - should lift the head of the bed or get a wedge for a 6-inch foam wedge. A foam wedge should cover your body from the head to its tailbone. Fortunately, this can be done on one side of the bed so that no partner is hurt. It is important to make a height with a wedge. [additional pillows just do not work] to reduce the possibility of acid reflux into the esophagus. In addition, food should not occur within two hours after sleep, as the food will probably still be in the stomach, and then reflux into the esophagus. Small meals throughout the day also reduce the amount of food in the stomach at any one time. The stomach is like a small balloon, about the size of a fist, and when it is pressed down by the muscles with a bend and lifting or other training of the abdominal muscles, the balloon is pressed, and food has only one way of moving, the esophagus.
Regarding the significance of PEMF in conditions of heartburn or GERD, it is possible that PEMF can help with the mobility of the stomach in order to evacuate food faster. It helps to reduce the amount of reflux. In addition, PEMF can increase the amount of acid products with meals in order to better absorb food. Finally, PEMF can help reduce the symptoms of heartburn and gastritis. I used magnetic fields many times when I overestimated spicy foods. They greatly help the pain of heartburn. However, this use of PEMF is only Band-Aid, if other components of reflux reduction are not used. Thus, the use of PEMF in the GERD setting should include mechanical measures, nutritional measures and proper digestive techniques. PEMF can be very helpful in reducing symptoms and can further accelerate the mobility of the stomach, reducing the amount of time food spends on the stomach, and therefore the likelihood of reflux.
Obviously, if you own a PEMF system, it could be used for other health needs. If you already have a PEMF system for other reasons, it can also be used for reflux by applying a magnetic field directly above the upper abdomen and lower esophagus. This can be done especially at bedtime, when heartburn is felt - until the discomfort is relieved, and in the morning, when symptoms may be worse. In this case, again, PEMFs would be sympathetically helpful along with any other therapy.
