How to cure GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux)
Here's what worked for me to cure GERD
Note, contrary to two 'specialists' in this field opinion I was not 'on PPI medication for life' and much of the advice I found online didn't really mention most realisations I had into what caused it or helped to alleviate it! Hence I thought worth noting them down here in case they help someone avoid going through what I did! (GERD can be quite bad and not appreciated by anyone who hasn't experienced it - I don't mean some occasional acid reflux I mean the chronic debilitating pain & dysphagia!)
But first a very brief history:
Sporting injury, couldn't exercise for a while, may as well put some extra hours in at work. Was a bit dehydrated, some constipation.. then.. out of no-where - GERD! But why?
I'll list all of the things that can increase the probability of GERD developing or flare-ups (turns out I was doing many of these) - then I'll list some things that can help.
I would add, really your body's natural state is to NOT have GERD.. you're probably getting in the way, it's probably more about NOT doing certain things that cause it for you.. than doing things that help (though there are some)
Things that trigger GERD or increase probability or worsen symptoms of GERD:
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Straining for the toilet (Following constipation/ dehydration - stomach can push through hiatus)
- Lack of (light) exercise (useful to de-stress & aids sleep)
- Green tea (And others similar eg white tea. Good for candida, but very bad for GERD as they increase acid production - I also wouldn't go full cold-turkey though and stop if you drink a lot! As you can get a bad head-ache if you do - catechin withdrawal I think)
- Worrying about anything (eg GERD - it's a vicious circle easy to get stuck in.. worry about health.. symptoms worsen.. worry more.. etc)
- Environmental change (eg holiday can trigger it. Or, I went on paternity, 2nd child much more relaxed, just noticed a mini flare-up for a day or two - so sometimes cause appears 'unknown' or unrelated but is environmental in nature)
- Sleeping on the RHS (As per attached image stomach opening into throat being more on the RHS at the top, tends to tip contents into throat!) - do not lie or sleep on the RHS.
Turns out I was doing most of these! (And note if you ask your specialist 'Can stress or lack of sleep cause or worsen GERD?' - or in fact any of the above they will confidently tell you 'No that's nonsense') - I can tell you confidently they do for me! Those same specialists may also tell you to expect to be on PPI medication for life! (Which for most people isn't the case)
What can help GERD?
- Avoid stress as much as you can
- Ample regular sleep
- Light exercise (especially light jogging after say 1/2 pint water - encourages stomach to return to normal position in cases of hiatial hernia) - don't overdo it - more is not always better (can add stress - opposite of what you need)
- drinking alkaline bottled waters definitely helped (eg Nestle Premier Life, Buxton, just ensure they are alkaline and not acidic Ph level)
- Meditation (Any form whatever works for you eg transcendental, Yoga nidra - Lizzy Hill on YouTube does a good one, Eckhart Tolle - The Power of Now etc)
- Raising the head of the bed slightly during sleep (4-5 inches, eg on books) so harder for stomach acid to travel up-hill & into throat area
- Lie or sleep on the LHS (as mentioned due to opening of stomach on the RHS; this is also one reasons LHS is the recovery position in a medical emergency)
- Relax.. chill.. take some time out
- Occasional hard crunchy snacks (eg Doritos helped a bit (not the spicy ones!) and not many don't over-do anything!) I think they encourage hiatus to resolve and also dampen stomach acid a little
Monitoring progress
You may have additional triggers or things that help, just monitor them - and maybe post a comment here to help others!
I view it a bit like a stock-market ticker.. you should see a general trend improving over a few days, but you still may see the odd spike up or hopefully down - but as long as the trend is going the right way - you're winning!
Good luck! Hope these have helped you! Post a comment if these have helped you or anything else that you find helps or triggers your GERD!