GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux
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Dr. Timothy Johnson of ABC said, “Reflux is ubiquitous in our society… it causes a lot of problems for people.”
Our TV screens are flooded with ads for the powerful drugs that are prescribed for gastric conditions. The pharmaceutical companies spend millions of dollars on these ads so that people will start hounding their doctors to prescribe the drugs.
I can just imagine the scene: Mr. and Mrs. Average American are sitting in front of their TV eating their SAD (standard American diet) meal and watching a commercial for one of the drugs that will stop the reflux that they know is coming following dinner. They remind one another to talk to their doctor about getting some of that wonder drug.
What the Drugs Do
PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) are drugs designed to reduce gastric acid production. The problem with this is that they also contribute to calcium not being absorbed properly.The report on the news was about a new Canadian research study showing that long-term use of PPIs raises the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures. It makes senses, when you understand how the drug works.
Drug Peddlers
This is yet another case of the medicopharmaceutical cartel pushing drugs at people to suppress symptoms instead of teaching people how to really cure the condition. Instead, they say things like, “This is incurable and you’ll need to take this drug forever.”I know there are conscientious practitioners who encourage people to change their lifestyle to really get rid of the dis-ease, but the pharmaceutical companies are so powerful that it seems they are the ones doing the educating and prescribing rather than the doctors.
No Magic Pill
And to be fair, there are lots of people who just refuse to take responsibility for their own health and want a magic pill to solve all of their problems.Guess what? It doesn’t exist.
A Simple Cure
The smart way of addressing GERD and other digestive disorders is to look at a person’s lifestyle. The most obvious dietary causes are overeating, obesity, coffee drinking, chocolate, eating fried foods, soft drinks, and alcohol. Sometimes just eliminating those things will eliminate reflux disease.Other suggestions are eating in a peaceful, calm manner and environment. Try turning off the TV (especially the news) during mealtimes. Chew food thoroughly. Don’t eat within 2-3 hours of bedtime.
Some people have had symptomatic relief of GERD by drinking a large glass of water at the first sign of heartburn. Other symptomatic, natural treatments include ginger, fennel, chamomile tea, and aloe vera juice.
George Malkmus writes about Ruth in The Hallelujah Diet. She suffered terribly from acid reflux for years. Following a GI series, her doctor wanted her to start on medication. Instead, she prayed for guidance and was led to The Hallelujah Diet. She started eating a plant-based diet, 85% raw and 15% cooked, and shortly afterwards her symptoms were gone.
She made a simple dietary change and didn’t resort to dangerous drugs and her terrible suffering was gone. THIS is the kind of treatment the doctors should be teaching people.
Return to the Motivation page from this GERD information page.
