ESOPHAGITIS

What is GERD?

GERD or Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most common gastric disorders. It is a condition in which the stomach’s acids or contents go up into the esophagus or food pipe and cause an uncomfortable sensation in the throat.

It is also known as acid reflux or heartburn.

At the entrance to our stomach, there is a valve, which is a ring of muscles called the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. Normally the LES closes as soon as food passes through it. If the LES doesn’t close all the way or if it opens too often, acid produced by our stomach can move up into the esophagus.

This can cause symptoms such as a burning chest discomfort called heartburn and when this condition occurs for more than two weeks it is referred to as GERD or Gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Over time, it makes the esophagus narrow and can cause swallowing difficulties and without appropriate treatment, a patient may develop ulcers in their esophagus.

Causes of GERD

GERD is the most common gastric problem and one of the most common causes of this problem is eating a large meal and lying down after eating a meal. It will allow the reflux of acid and even the chunks of food to spurt from the stomach to the food pipe.

Food like peppermint and caffeine contain ingredients that may relax the lower esophageal sphincter or LES, making it incapable of doing its job.

Other acidic foods like citrus and tomatoes, can worsen irritation of the esophagus when they come in contact with stomach acid.

Carbonated beverages like cold drinks and soda similarly bubble up in the stomach, forcing open the valve.

Smoking can also cause GERD because the nicotine in cigarettes can relax the LES.

Obesity or overweight condition can cause a hernia that disrupts the anti-reflux barrier of the gastro-esophageal junction.

Consuming excessive alcohol may have a similar effect as nicotine in cigarettes that relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter.

GERD Disease Homeopathic Treatment – Best Medicines

Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine that treats not only the symptoms of the disease but also the man who is suffering from the disease.

So, after a complete detailed history of present and past disease and considering the family history also, a drug is prescribed which will be based on individualization of every patient.

The duration of treatment will vary from person to person and depend upon the severity of the acid reflux.

In mild cases, improvement can be seen in 4-5 weeks, whereas severe cases will take a longer time.

Now, let’s go through some of the homoeopathic medicines that can help to treat GERD.

Some of the best homoeopathic medicines for the treatment of GERD are mentioned below.

• Arsenicum Album
• Calcarea carbonicum
• Carbo Veg
• Iris Versicolour
• Robinia Pseudocacia

 

1. CALCAREA CARB: for sour taste in the mouth

Acid reflux from the stomach to the esophagus often follows with the flow of sour, watery fluid from the mouth.

Calcarea carb is indicated when there is a sour taste in the mouth and foul odor from the mouth may also present with nausea.

The patient also experiences continued loud belching after eating, with cough and nausea.

Dosage and potency: 200c, 4 globes in half a cup of water thrice a day till the symptom disappear.

2. ARSENIC ALBUM: for burning pain in the throat

Burning in the throat is one of the major symptoms of GERD and Arsenic album is indicated in such condition.

Arsenic is suitable for cases where the burning is better by taking sips of warm water.

The patient has restlessness and aggravation of symptoms at the midnight.

Dosage and potency: 30c, 200c 4 globules (pills) dissolved in half a cup of water 3 times a day.

3. CARBO VEG: for heartburn and excessive flatulence

It is a wonderful remedy for the treatment of GERD and is indicated when there is heartburn, bloating with excessive flatulence.

Carbo veg is indicated when there is sour, offensive belching that gets worse after eating or drinking.

Even the simplest of food tends to trigger the condition.

Dosage and potency: 30c, 200c, take 4 drops of dilution in half a cup of water twice a day, till the improvement is seen.

4. IRIS VERSICOLOR: for sour, bitter belching

It is an effective remedy for the treatment of many digestive-related issues including GERD.