Acid Reflux Disease or GERD has symptoms like heartburn that appear to be caused by an over production of acid in the stomach. Unfortunately, we have been mislead. It is not too much acid in the stomach that is the causes of GERD and heartburn, but a relaxed LES.



Acid Reflux disease, also known as GERD is a condition that is not only painful but can leave one feeling less than enthusiastic about eating out at restaurants or going to dinner parties where “trigger foods” may be served. For some it is high fat foods or acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus that appear to cause the symptoms. For others it is a night-time visitor that arrives as soon as the head hits the pillow. This type of GERD can be especially troubling as the pain can become so acute that it resembles the symptoms of severe heart conditions. And so it has earned the well known name “heartburn.” And for others it appears to be stress related as the body responds to the “fight or flight reflex.” While it has not been scientifically proven, many can attest to the affects of this jittery or nervous feeling in the belly. Typically alcohol and cigarettes spur painful bouts.

Heartburn is caused by stomach acid that splashes back into the esophagus. This happens when the valve at the end of the esophagus is loosened and cannot properly close off. This band of muscle or LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) is designed to open up to allow the food to make its way from the throat, down the esophagus and into the stomach where it is further digested with a specially formulated acid called gastric acid. The stomach lining is perfectly designed with a mucus coating to handle the specific pH of what is essentially hydrochloric acid. Under normal conditions the acid would remain happily in the stomach where we would not even notice that it was there doing its work, breaking down the food in preparation for its next destination, the small intestine. When the gastric acid leaks up through a relaxed LES into places it doesn’t belong however, it can feel like volcanic lava in the chest. Heartburn is treated with medications that reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. Not only is this not a cure, but it is making the condition even worse!

While the underlying cause of heartburn is not typically discussed, I feel it imperative that I talk about it here. When we go to the doctor for relief from the symptoms of GERD or specifically the symptom of heartburn, we are offered medications that cope with acid over production. However, the phenomenon of too much stomach acid is extremely rare. In most cases sufferers actually produce too little acid and these medications only make the problem worse by slowing down digestion. The bottom line: We are most likely causing our own chronic heartburn by ingesting acid inhibitors and reducers. The heartburn culprit my friends, is not stomach acid. As discussed above, it is the relaxed state of the LES that we need to shift our focus and attention toward. This means a major shift in our collective belief system!

Please stay tuned as I will be discussing this topic further. It is my duty and privilege to share all that I have learned with you so that you may become empowered to take care of you. After all it is your body and your life. You hold the real key to your health!

*Please know that I am not a medical doctor or a health practitioner. I cannot diagnose your stomach problems nor can I guarantee a cure. I am here to share my knowledge, which applications have worked for me and to offer suggestions of where you may go physically, emotionally and spiritually for healing and self-empowerment. If you choose to explore alternative medicine, do not independently stop taking your prescribed medications. Always consult with your current doctor as well as your new practitioner when changing your medical program.