Vegchefstef

HEARTBURN

One third of Americans experience frequent heartburn

 

Symptoms:

• Burning sensation above the stomach
• Excessive salivation
• Belching
• Regurgitation
• Sour taste in the mouth (Lipski, 2005, 184)

 

Heartburn is caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, also known as gastric reflux.  Long term reflux can cause inflammation in the esophagus.  Hiatal Hernia occurs when a portion of the stomach gets pushed through the diaphragm and up into the thoracic cavity, above the diaghram, where it does not belong.  (Houston, 2007, 186) 

 

Triggers:

stress

wearing tight-fitting clothes

lying down

bending over

eating large meals

eating specific foods (Lipski, 2005, 185)

drinking too much alcohol

pregnancy

obesity

smoking

straining with bowel movements can push the stomach out of place

Low Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) in the stomach can also contribute to the discomfort of Heartburn and Hiatal Hernia.  Most people who have acid reflux and indigestion have low HCl (Bauman, 2010)

 

Symptoms of low Hydrochloric Acid:

• low energy
• bloating
• fatigue
• anemia
• frequent colds

• slow elimination
• not being able to build muscle

 

Low HCl makes it hard for the stomach to start digesting protein rich foods – they can ferment and cause burping or bad breath.  (Bauman, 2010)

Adequate HCl is necessary for absorption of vitamins and minerals (Lipski, 2005, 194)

Tips:

• Eat at least 4 hours before going to bed, if you experience heartburn at night.
• Chiropractic adjustments can gently put the stomach back in place for Hiatal Hernia’s.
• Drink 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar in water with meals, to increase stomach acidity.
• Chew food thoroughly and eat small meals more often.
• Antacids can temporarily relieve pain at first, but if overused the parietal cells (that make the hydrochloric acid in the stomach) will become exhausted and HCl will become low over the long term. (Lipski, 2005, 185)
• Affects of antacid use and low stomach acid can cause dysbiosis – imbalance of gut bacteria and can decrease the stomach’s ability to digest protein.

Bauman, Edward.  Bauman College Lecture for Digestive Wellness, 2010.

Lipski, Elizabeth.  Digestive Wellness. Two Penn Plaza, NY.: McGraw Hill Books, 2005.

Parker, Steve.  The Human Body Book.  New York, New York.: DK Books, 2007.