We are all familiar with the terms heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux, and we know that they relate to feeling uncomfortable or in pain after consuming food or drink. But what are they actually? Are they different from each other? And how can they be prevented?

Heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux are all terms relating to Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); a condition involving the leakage of stomach contents back up the into the esophagus (the part of your digestive tract that goes from your moth to your stomach),  resulting in the esophagus becoming irritated.

The term reflux refers specifically to the movement of food upward from the stomach, while heartburn and indigestion relate to the subsequent irritation which causes a burning, dull aching sensation in the middle of the chest.

Acid reflux can also involve regurgitation, also called a wet burp, which leaves a bitter, sour taste in the mouth when acid or even some vomit comes up the back of your throat and into your mouth.

What cause GERD?

There are a couple of key factors that influence gastric reflux.

• Firstly there is the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (a muscle ring at the bottom of the esophagus where it attaches to the stomach) to close properly. If this muscle isn’t working correctly, leakage of the stomach contents back into the esphogus will occur.
• The second major factor to consider in GERD is overeating; literally stuffing ourselves so full that our gastric juices are forced back up our esophagus. Sure we are all guilty of overindulgence every once in a while, however continual indigestion caused by such excesses can damage the lining of the esophagus and lead to more serious health conditions.
• Other causative factors include obesity, cigarette smoking, eating lots of chocolateSugar, Cacao Beans, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin (used as a natural emulsifier)
  , fried foods, alcohol, coffee or carbonated drinks. These influences can either increase the pressure within the stomach thereby forcing food up into the esophagus, or can reduce the tone of the sphincter – meaning it can’t close off efficiently.
• Reflux usually occurs after a person has eaten a heavy meal, when they bend over forwards, lift heavy objects and when lying down on their back. It is common for GERD to occur at night and for this reason people are often recommended to sleep with a couple of pillows behind them to slightly elevate their upper body while in bed.
• Pregnant women can often experience reflux due to hormonal influences and increasing pressure from the growing baby. This normally resolves once the baby has been born.

Stress and Reflux

It is also important to mention the impact of stress on the quality of our digestive system. Stress can interfere with our digestive processes as it causes our body to divert blood and energy away from our digestive system in favour of the brain and skeletal muscles to support the body’s fight or flight response.

When we are stressed our body thinks that we are going to need instant strength and energy so it operates from what is called the sympathetic nervous system. This is an ancient survival mechanism from the days when we had to battle sabre-toothed tigers and the like. Another system called the para-sympathetic nervous system (or our resting and digesting mode) is the calm state we need to be in for relaxation and healthy digestion to occur in a healthy manner.

How is Reflux and Indigestion treated?

A lot of people with digestive problems are prescribed medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) such as Losec, which work by preventing the production of digestive acids that are necessary for us to correctly digest and absorb nutrients from our food.

These medications, while seeming to provide quick relief may actually exacerbate digestive problems as paradoxically a person with reflux often already has insufficient digestive enzymes – a major contributing factor to their problem in the first place.  PPI’s, bringing about temporary pain relief and a decrease in oesophageal inflammation but do not correct the underlying cause of the problem.

Antacids are another commonly used treatment for alleviating heartburn and indigestion. These are alkaline substances that neutralise acids in the stomach – again, another quick fix short-term solution. Ideally antacids should not be used for longer than 14 days, and PPI’s for longer than eight weeks.

Side Effects of Long Term use of Losec and similar medications

Long term use of these agents can result in malabsorption of important nutrients like calcium, vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, folic acid, vitamin B1, B6 and vitamin E, as well as creating an environment that is ideal for unhealthy gut flora (bacteria and fungus) to proliferate.

You are more likely to pick up stomach bugs and other bacterial infections if you are on medications like Losec long term.

There is also research showing that the use of such medications is indicated in conditions like Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue as they interfere with the breakdown and metabolism of proteins, and also due to the impact they have on the gut bacteria and subsequently the immune system.

How can Tummy Chill PillClick here for more information on Tummy Chill Pill… Help?

Pratty’s Tummy Chill PillClick here for more information on Tummy Chill Pill… addresses the vital issues of soothing, healing, protecting and nourishing an imbalanced digestive system. Containing two spectacular herbs – Slippery ElmA powdered bark that when mixed with water becomes a nourishing antacid like powder that when helps to soothe and protect the lining of the digestive tract. Double click for more…

powder and LicoriceLicorice is an essential tool when blending herbal teas due to it’s wonderful sweet flavour that helps mask other not so nice herbs, and it’s broad range of health giving properties. 50x sweeter than sugar but with no calories it is known to be helpful for easing stress, digestive problems, coughs and joint problems Root it is nature’s antacid – without the unwanted side-effects. We think of it as a chill pill for grumpy tummies!

• Slippery ElmA powdered bark that when mixed with water becomes a nourishing antacid like powder that when helps to soothe and protect the lining of the digestive tract. Double click for more…
  
  is what is termed a demulcent and emollient. It soothes inflammation and settles irritation while also coating and protecting the delicate cells lining out digestive tract. These actions allow healing to occur over time and support our naturalNatural flavourings are sometimes added to acheive a specific flavour profile, or to lift the naturally occurring flavours of the ingredients in the teas. Pratty’s Teas do not contain artificial flavourings, only natural essential oils and nature identical flavours. digestive processes. Slippery ElmA powdered bark that when mixed with water becomes a nourishing antacid like powder that when helps to soothe and protect the lining of the digestive tract. Double click for more…
  
  also has a very high nutritional content and can be used as very basic food where people are convalescing or have a really compromised digestive system. And last but not least, Slippery ElmA powdered bark that when mixed with water becomes a nourishing antacid like powder that when helps to soothe and protect the lining of the digestive tract. Double click for more…
  
  encourages the production and growth of healthy/beneficial gut flora – what herbalists term as a Prebiotic, and is ideal to take after a course of antibiotics.
• LicoriceLicorice is an essential tool when blending herbal teas due to it’s wonderful sweet flavour that helps mask other not so nice herbs, and it’s broad range of health giving properties. 50x sweeter than sugar but with no calories it is known to be helpful for easing stress, digestive problems, coughs and joint problems is also a demulcent and anti-inflammatory herb. It stimulates secretion of the protective mucus that lines our digestive tract, can regulate the secretion of digestive acids (without side effects) as well as inhibit bacterial growth and plaque formation.  The anti-inflammatory action of LicoriceLicorice is an essential tool when blending herbal teas due to it’s wonderful sweet flavour that helps mask other not so nice herbs, and it’s broad range of health giving properties. 50x sweeter than sugar but with no calories it is known to be helpful for easing stress, digestive problems, coughs and joint problems assists with healing throughout the digestive tract, and it is also a tonic for the adrenal glands – supporting people who are stressed out and experiencing tummy problems including constipation.

Pratty’s Tummy Chill PillClick here for more information on Tummy Chill Pill… can be taken before a meal to help prevent discomfort occurring, and also after a meal or between meals if a person is experiencing any burning or reflux. Often it is necessary to take a bit more initially while the digestive tract is repairing. The mixture needs to be consumed immediately after mixing as the slippery elmA powdered bark that when mixed with water becomes a nourishing antacid like powder that when helps to soothe and protect the lining of the digestive tract. Double click for more…

thickens quickly, becoming jelly-like due to its mucilage properties.

Other Helpful Tips

• Apple cider vinegar – this trusty, traditional remedy has long been used as a digestive aid due to its high content of naturalNatural flavourings are sometimes added to acheive a specific flavour profile, or to lift the naturally occurring flavours of the ingredients in the teas. Pratty’s Teas do not contain artificial flavourings, only natural essential oils and nature identical flavours. enzymes. These enzymes do not survive if the vinegar is used in cooking so we recommend mixing a couple of tablespoons with a small amount of warm water and drinking it before meals. It can also be sprinkled on salads.

• Probiotics – (lactobacillus acidophilus etc.) we talk about these all the time and this is because they are one of the cornerstones of a healthy digestive system. The delicate balance of helpful bacteria in our gut can be unsettled by so many aspects of our modern living. Probiotics benefit our health by improving the nutritional and microbial (flora) balance in our digestive tract, and also support systemic (throughout our body) and digestive immune functions.

Eating a salad before your meal can also provide you with live enzymes to assist digestion.

Pratty’s Tummy Chill PillClick here for more information on Tummy Chill Pill… works perfectly with Pratty’s Peace To The PukuClick here for more information on Peace To The Puku… and Don’t Stress Babe herbal teas to provide relief and contentment.  Pratty has designed a ‘Digestive Rebalance Two Pack’  for those who want to get on top of their Heartburn issues.

Don’t hesitate to email us if you have health questions or concerns about taking our teas with your medications or health condition.

References

Murray Michael, Pizzorno Joseph. Encyclopedia of NaturalNatural flavourings are sometimes added to acheive a specific flavour profile, or to lift the naturally occurring flavours of the ingredients in the teas. Pratty’s Teas do not contain artificial flavourings, only natural essential oils and nature identical flavours. Medicine, Revised 2nd Edition, Three Rivers Press, New York.1998.

Materia Medica Of Western Herbs for the Southern Hemisphere; Carole Fisher and Gillian Painter

Article By Naturopath Leisa Harford one of our resident Naturopaths.  She’s got lots of qualifications: BHSc (Comp Med), Adv Dip Herb Med.  Very Clever!