Acid reflux is a common condition that features a burning pain in the lower chest. It happens when stomach acid flows back up into your chest and throat. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is diagnosed when acid reflux occurs more than twice a week. 

Acid reflux is the most common gut complaint seen by hospital departments in the United States, with over 60 million Americans experiencing heartburn at east once a month.

Smoking and obesity are risk factors for acid reflux. With 36.2% of the United States is obese, it makes sense that the Western countries are diagnosed with GERD the most.

Causes

Most people think of acid reflux or GERD as too much stomach acid in the stomach, quite the opposite can actually be the cause. Too little stomach acid can be the culprit. Too much stomach acid is called Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome and is diagnosed in 1 in 1 million people.

The stomach contains hydrochloric acid, which helps break down food and protect against pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. When you have too much or too little you can have symptoms of heartburn, along with:

When I was pregnant with my son, I got heartburn frequently if I skipped my digestive enzyme. Heartburn is very common in pregnancy and many women don’t know how to deal with it. Taking medication during pregnancy is obviously concerning. Taking a digestive enzyme was safe and effective. 😉

Medicine

Most people take a heartburn medicine to help with neutralizing the acid in your stomach. In theory the idea is great. Calm down the “pain” but, there is a huge over-prescription and overuse of antacids. Overuse of an antacids can actually make the problem worse. Antacids work by inhibiting the activity of pepsin, a digestive enzyme produced in the stomach. (Which then causes a problem with digesting food and needing a digestive enzyme.)

Prilosec OTC is a delayed-release 20mg tablet, taken once a day (every 24 hours) for 14 days before eating. You should not take it for more than 14 days or repeat a 14-day course more often than every 4 months unless directed by a doctor. How many people do you know that are taking Prilosec for years?…

What you can do

To determine if you have too little stomach acid, too much stomach acid or the correct amount, you can do the baking soda test.

The baking soda test measures stomach acid in relation to how much gas is produced when the baking soda reacts with stomach acid. The amount of gas produced depends directly upon how much acid is the stomach. Understanding your stomach acidity will assist you to determine the most effective treatment plan.

Instructions:
It is important that this test be performed first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
1. Dissolve 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda into 1 cup of cold water.
2. Drink the solution and start timing.
4. Record the time it takes to the first burp.
5. If you have not burped within 5 minutes, stop timing and carry on with your daily routine.
6. Repeat the test for 5 consecutive days for more accurate results.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic looks at the spine for cause of upset stomach, indigestion and heartburn. The nerves that come out of the spine reside between your shoulder blades. Also, a good digestive enzyme can help stomach issues. Many of our patients use a digestive enzyme and love it.

If you have questions, give us or a chiropractor near you a call. Diet, digestion, and spinal adjustments can start making you feel better today.

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, Ok 73036