Alternative treatments for
stomach indigestion, heartburn or acid reflux are natural, have no side effects, and
are
the safest and most effective approach
Holistically Healing
Heartburn
by Charles Stewart Richey
Millions of people suffer
from the symptoms of heartburn every day. Those with acute cases of
heartburn may have a condition called acid reflux or gerd (gastroesophageal
reflux disease).
Any form of heartburn is an
unpleasant experience, to say the least. The splashing up of stomach
acid into the esophagus and throat can be quite painful and
potentially dangerous. In extreme cases, where the esophagus is
continually damaged by the reflux of stomach fluids, a condition
called Barrett's Esophagus can develop. This condition is a
precursor to esophageal cancer.
Barrett's Esophagus occurs
when chronic acid reflux or esophagitis is not controlled. Through
constant inflammation and damage, the normal cells that line the
esophagus called squamous cells turn into specialized columnar
cells. Columnar cells are not normally found in human beings and can
become cancerous.
The physical cause of
heartburn is the improper functioning of the LES (lower esophageal
sphincter). This ringed muscle at the bottom of the esophagus,
relaxes in order to allow food to enter the stomach. This muscle
then retracts in order to keep the digestive fluids where they
belong. It is when this muscle is too relaxed or damaged, that the
stomach fluids can escape up into the esophagus thereby causing acid
reflux.
There are many possible
causes of acid reflux. The foods that we eat play an important role.
Food that is too acidic can aggravate this ailment. Not chewing food
properly, eating meals that are too large and lying down within
three hours of eating can all contribute to acid reflux.
Certain foods and beverages
can cause the LES to become lazy. These culprits include smoking,
drinking alcohol and prescription drugs. Raw onions and garlic,
fried foods, chocolate and foods that are too spicy can also cause
the LES to relax.
There are two ways to treat
this condition. They are the allopathic medical and the holistic
approaches to disease. The allopathic medical way is to prescribe
certain drugs such as H2 receptor antagonists, which include Tagamet
and Zantac, or PPI drugs (proton pump inhibitors) like Nexium and
Prilosec. These medicines slow down the production of stomach acid
and are the two main types of pharmaceutical acid suppressors.
This pharmaceutical approach
is dangerous in that it impedes the proper digestion and
assimilation of food. There are also numerous harmful side effects
associated with these drugs. Drugs only treat the symptoms of a
disease or condition. They are not intended to cure. If the drug
companies created drugs that cured they would soon go out of
business.
The alternative way to treat
acid reflux is holistically. Holistic by definition means
considering a whole thing or being to be more than a collection of
parts; Treating the whole person rather than just the Symptoms of a
disease.
Using alternative remedies,
which are natural and have no side effects, is certainly the safest
and most effective approach. These treatments are also far less
expensive than drugs. Holistic treatment, unlike drugs, can actually
cure the condition or disease.
In order to develop acid
reflux, we must first have an acidic system. By treating the whole
body, acid reflux will disappear. What we eat and drink determines
the PH of the body.
Vegetable juices, like raw
potato, celery and cabbage are very alkaline in nature and are
helpful in correcting an acidic stomach. Papaya juice contains the
digestive enzyme papain, which has a soothing effect on the stomach
and aids in the breaking down of protein.
Slippery Elm, bladderwrack
and marshmallow, belong to a category of herbs called demulcents.
These herbs aid digestion by decreasing inflammation and by soothing
the affected areas. They form a protective barrier against stomach
acid and other digestive irritants.
There are many holistic ways
to cure acid reflux. Meditation can be of great help. Start by doing
deep breathing exercises for ten minutes. Keeping the eyes closed,
visualize you stomach, LES, esophagus and throat as young, pink,
tender and perfect. Continue to breath and picture yourself in
perfect glowing health. See yourself eating slowly in a relaxed
atmosphere, enjoying your food. Picture the food being digested and
assimilated in a perfect manner. Feel all the parts of your body
working in perfect harmony together.
Yoga can also be very
beneficial to the body as a whole. Loosing weight and regular
exercise are important as well. Drinking copious amount of pure
water not only flushes the system of toxins, but dilutes stomach
acid during periods between meals.
The holistic approach to
healing is the medicine of the future. We can all be a part of that
future now.
© 2006 Wind Publishing.
For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go
to
http://www.refluxgoneforever.com
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