Many doctors prescribe antacids for this GORD, as the acid   reflux is very painful and analgesia is important to the patient The common   pain relieving medications such as the NSAID’s (non steroidal   anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, are contraindicated (not   recommended) because they cause gastric ulceration and kidney disease.

The pain from the acid reflux should be addressed at the   root cause, which generally is a poor digestion system. This is contrary to   the general medical profession’s concept which states that there is OVER   production of acid. What is really happening is that there is NOT ENOUGH   stomach acid, or a deficiency of movement from the gastric juices downwards.   To fix the problem at the root cause means to improve digestion and to get   the contractility moving!

Naturopaths will take a careful history and find out what is   in the diet that is slowing down digestion.

It’s very important to fix this system, as a prevention of   chronic inflammation- not only to reduce the pain in the oesophagus, but also   to stop the progression oesophagitis to Barrett’s disease.

Barrett’s esophagus is a serious complication of GERD. In Barrett’s   esophagus, changes to oesophageal mucosal tissue occur—to less   keratinized and softer more vulnerable tissue that resembles the lining of   the intestine. About 10% of people with chronic symptoms of GERD develop   Barrett’s oesophagus

-Putting / eating bad combinations of food together, such   as carbohydrates with proteins (sandwiches and pasta require a lower stomach   acid to digest the carbohydrate, while meat proteins require a higher pH,   thus the combination is difficult to digest).

A diet full of  preserved meats is also problematic, as salami,   pepperoni, Ham, release nitrosamines and are known carcinogens and pro   inflammatory agents.

– dehydration-1.4-2 litres of isotonic water is needed to   keep the body lubricated. A dried out intestinal tract will not contract   efficiently. Chyme needs to churn over with a steady intake of fluids. A dry   mouth and oesophagus will lead to food clogging and difficulty swallowing.

– Stress! Adrenaline (epinephrine if you live in the   northern hemisphere and speak “American”) causes xerostomia, or dry mouth,   which leads to tacky and sluggish gut movement.

-Food triggers / allergenic foods- high gluten diet   consisting mainly of wheat is as a cause of inflammation.

– Heart disease- both medication and  sluggish vascular movement secondary to   heart disease will lead to a slower digestive system.

– smoking – this dries out the oesophagus as well as   adding carcinogenic substances and inflammatory mediators directly to the   mucosa

– alcohol and spicy   foods induce GORD

Sustaining Factors:

-Poor choices and Putting / eating bad combinations of   food together

-Continuing to eat food triggers / allergenic foods

-Eating food close to bedtime –  not sure if client does that

-Lying down immediately after eating

Naturopathic   Analysis/Causative Factors:

What’s possibly making it   happen physically –based on biochemistry and personal choices as listed above

Poor food choices and particular foods or food combining  create a decrease in digestion and slow   peristalsis down, hence the GORD / GERD burping, belching, and bloating   occur.

Smoking, drinking, and alcohol imbibation plus medications   that can perpetuate oesophagitis.

Be mindful or  how   you eat—sitting, and portion control at correct times 3 meals a day, how   relaxed you are at meal times, how your parasympathetic calm feeling  is at the time of eating, the foods you   choose and how you combine them, and the time you go to bed in relation to   when you have eaten.

Think about your emotional state, and practice enjoyment   of life and your food! Take up yoga, Tai chi, Bush walking, snorkelling,   swimming or some other relaxing exercise that allows your body to move and   helps move your digesting tract along as well as supporting your mood.