HOMOEOPATHY FOR GASTROESOPHAGEAL DISEASE OR GERD.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your esophagus.

Many people experience acid reflux from time to time. GERD is mild acid reflux that occurs at least twice a week, or moderate to severe acid reflux that occurs at least once a week.

Causes

GERD is caused by frequent acid reflux.

When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the bottom of your esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow into your stomach. Then the sphincter closes again.

If the sphincter relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus. This constant backwash of acid irritates the lining of your esophagus, often causing it to become inflamed.

Factors  trigger or worsen GERD

·         Food- Fatty foods, fried food, chocolates, spicy food, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and citrus fruits , carbonated drinks and caffeinated drinks, alcohol, coffee. are known to worsen GERD symptoms.

·         Medications such as NSAID’s, antibiotics (such as tetracycline), pain relievers (such as ibuprofen and aspirin), birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy steroids, antidepressants like amitriptyline, asthma medication like beta-adrenergic agonists or bronchodilators, iron supplements, and quinidine (a heart medication) are some medications that tend to worsen the symptoms of GERD and cause acid reflux.

·         Stress, smoking

·         Food habitis—Eating food in large quantity, Immediately lying down after eating food

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:

·         A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which might be worse at night

·         Chest pain

·         Difficulty swallowing

·         Regurgitation of food or sour liquid

·         Sensation of a lump in your throat

If you have nighttime acid reflux, you might also experience:

·         Chronic cough

·         Laryngitis

·         New or worsening asthma

·         Disrupted sleep

Risk factors

Conditions that can increase your risk of GERD include:

·         Obesity

·         Bulging of the top of the stomach up into the diaphragm (hiatal hernia)

·         Pregnancy

·         Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma

·         Delayed stomach emptying

Factors that can aggravate acid reflux include:

·         Smoking

·         Eating large meals or eating late at night

·         Eating certain foods (triggers) such as fatty or fried foods

·         Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol or coffee

·         Taking certain medications, such as aspirin

Complications

Over time, chronic inflammation in your esophagus can cause:

·         Narrowing of the esophagus (esophageal stricture). Damage to the lower esophagus from stomach acid causes scar tissue to form. The scar tissue narrows the food pathway, leading to problems with swallowing.

·         An open sore in the esophagus (esophageal ulcer). Stomach acid can wear away tissue in the esophagus, causing an open sore to form. An esophageal ulcer can bleed, cause pain and make swallowing difficult.

·         Precancerous changes to the esophagus (Barrett's esophagus). Damage from acid can cause changes in the tissue lining the lower esophagus. These changes are associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis based on physical examination, and history of signs and symptoms. To confirm diagnosis conduct, Upper endoscopy, Ambulatory acid ( pH )probe test, Esophageal manometry, Xray of upper digestive system.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When GERD  is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

ARSENIC ALBUM –Burning pain in stomach. Stomach pain from slightest food or drink. Nausea, retching and vomiting. Heartburn, gulping up of acid and bitter substances which seem to excoriate the throat. Burning pain in the throat, worse on swallowing. Everything swallowed seems to lodge in the esophagus.

CALCAREA CARBONICUM—Heartburn and loud belching. Frequent sour belching, sour vomiting . Swelling over pit of stomach like a saucer turned bottom up. Pain in epigastric region to touch. Sour taste in mouth, causes nausea. Burning from esophagus to throat. Continued belching after food, with a cough and nausea , worse from milk.  Calcarea carb is suited to fair , flabby persons , who catch cold very easily. Special craving for eggs is characteristic to calcarea carb. Craving for indigestible things like dirt, chalk, coal, pencils etc.

CARBO VEGETABILIS –Heartburn. Flatulent stomach. Belchings, heaviness, fullness and sleepiness, tense  from flatulence with pain, worse lying down.Rancid, sour or putrid belching. Contractive pains  extending to chest with distension of abdomen. Epigastric region very sensitive.  Burning  sensation in throat. Throat painful on swallowing food.

IRIS VERSICOLOR—Sour bitter belchings. Continuous nausea. Acrid watery sour vomiting with burning in throat. Burning of whole alimentary canal, not better by cold drinks.  Vomiting of bitter sweetish water.  Headache with acidity.

NATRUM PHOSPHORICUM— Heartburn. Sour belching. Vomiting of sour, cheesy masses. Emptiness in stomach and abdomen, even in chest, worse after eating. Difficulty in swallowing.  Yellow creamy coating at the base of the tongue.

NUX VOMICA.—GERD usually seen in alcoholics. Nausea and vomiting with much retching. Violent vomiting of bilious, sour substance. Heartburn. Pain in throat , pain worse on empty swallowing.  Sensation of roughness and scraping in stomach. Indigestion. Sour taste and nausea in the morning after eating. Weight and pain in stomach. GERD  with cough .Vomiting  from cough.

PHOSPHORUS. – Larynx , raw, and sore due to GERD. Painful larynx. Hoarseness of voice, worse evening. Heartburn. Sour taste and sour belching after every meal. Regurgitates ingesta, by mouthfuls.

PULSATILLA NIGRICANS.—GERD from taking  rich foods, fats, pork, pastries, desserts, ice cream. Heartburn. Belchings, taste of food remains a long time after  fatty foods. Stomach disordered and feels heavy. Flatulence. Dry, sore throat. Sensation of a worm wriggling up in throat. Feeling of sulphur vapor in throat.

ROBINIA –Robinia is one of the best remedies for GERD,  where the patient experiences severe acidity. Everything turns to acid. Acid stomach is characteristic. Intense heartburn. Heartburn and acidity at night on lying down. Nausea with sour belching. Profuse vomiting of intensely sour fluid. Regurgitation of acid and bitter substance.

SULPHURIC ACID—Heartburn. Sour belching , sets teeth on edge. Relaxed feeling in stomach. Sour vomiting. Throat painful. Liquid regurgitate, on swallowing.  Larynx moves up and down violently.

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