GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a chronic condition where stomach contents, including acid, flow back up into the esophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Common symptoms of GERD include –
- A burning sensation in the chest, often called heartburn. Heartburn usually happens after eating and might be worse at night or while lying down.
- Backwash of food or sour liquid in the throat.
- Upper belly or chest pain.
- Trouble swallowing, called dysphagia.
- Sensation of a lump in the throat.
If you have night-time acid reflux, you also might experience:
- An ongoing cough.
- Inflammation of the vocal cords, known as laryngitis.
- New or worsening asthma.
CAUSES
GERD is caused by frequent acid reflux or reflux of non acidic content from the stomach.
When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the bottom of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow into the stomach. Then the sphincter closes again.If the sphincter does not relax as is typical or it weakens, stomach acid can flow back into the esophagus. This constant backwash of acid irritates the lining of the esophagus, often causing it to become inflamed.
RISK FACTORS
Conditions that can increase the risk of GERD include:
- Bulging of the top of the stomach up above the diaphragm, known as a hiatal hernia.
- Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma.
- Delayed stomach emptying.
Factors that can aggravate acid reflux include:
- Eating large meals or eating late at night.
- Eating certain foods, such as fatty or fried foods.
- Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol or coffee.
- Taking certain medicines, such as alcohol or coffee.
- Taking certain medications such as aspirin.
COMPLICATIONS
- Esophagitis
- Esophageal strictures
- Barrett’s esophagus
- esophageal cancer
GERD IN AYURVEDA
GERD can be compared to Amlapitta explained in Ayurvedic texts due to very close resemblance of the symptomatic presentation. It is called Amlapitta because Pitta attains too much of Amlata i.e. acidic nature due to consumption of causative factors which aggravate Pitta.
This Morbid Pitta causes symptoms like sour belching, heartburn, indigestion, tastelessness etc. Kapha and Vata get involved with the morbid Pitta in the later stages of the disease, making it more complicated.
TREATMENT PRINCIPLES
- Pitta hara chikitsa
- Rasayana Therapy
PANCHAKARMA TREATMENT MODALITIES
- Vamana
- Virechana
- Asthapana Basti
- Anuvasana Basti
MEDICATIONS
AYURVEDIC FORMULATIONS
- Guduchyadi Kashayam
- Drakshadi Kashayam
- Indukantham Kashayam
- Bala Punarnavadi Kashayam
- Sukumaram Kashayam
- Chitrakadi Vati
- Sutashekara Rasa
- Shanka vati
- Dhanwantaram Gulika
- Vayu Gulika
- Vilwadi Gulika
- Hingwadi Gulika
- Indukantham Ghritam
- Dadimadi Ghritam
- Dhatryadi Ghritam
- Lashuna Ghritam
- Varanadi Ghritam
- Shatavaryadi Ghritam
- Sukumara Ghritam
- Drakshadi Ghritam
- Sukumara Leham
- Chyavanaprasham
- Drakshadi Lehyam
- Kushmanda lehyam
- Vasavaleham
- Hingutriguna leham
- Hinguvashtaka Churnam
- Hinguvachadi Churnam
- Avipathi Churnam
- Guduchi Satva
- Shanka Bhasma
BENEFICIAL FOODS
- High-Fiber Foods:
- Whole grains (oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa)
- Root vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, beets)
- Green vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, green beans)
- Alkaline Foods:
- Bananas, melons, cauliflower, fennel, and nuts
- Dairy products (milk, yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese)
- Lean Protein Sources:
- Skinless chicken, turkey, and fish (grilled, broiled, baked, steamed)
- Tofu, lentils, and beans
- Watery Foods:
- Celery, cucumber, lettuce, watermelon, broth-based soups, and herbal tea
- Other Beneficial Foods:
- Non-citrus fruits (apples, pears, bananas, melons)
- Healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, walnuts, flaxseed, sunflower oil)
- Herbs and spices (ginger, lemon balm, chamomile, caraway)
- Ginger tea or chewing on low-sugar dried ginger
FOODS TO AVOID
- Acidic Foods:
- Citrus fruits and juices (oranges, lemons)
- Tomatoes and tomato-based products
- Fatty Foods:
- Fried foods, fatty meats, and high-fat dairy products
- Spicy Foods:
- Spicy foods can irritate the stomach and worsen GERD symptoms
- Caffeinated and Carbonated Beverages:
- Coffee, tea, soda, and other caffeinated or carbonated drinks
- Alcohol:
- Alcohol can relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and contribute to reflux
- Other Irritants:
- Onions, garlic, and certain sauces or toppings
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
● Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals: This can help prevent overfilling the stomach and reduce the risk of reflux.
● Eat Slowly: Chewing food thoroughly can aid digestion and reduce the risk of reflux.
● Avoid Eating Before Bed: Allow at least 2-3 hours between your last meal and bedtime.
● Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help dilute stomach acid.
● Consider Intermittent Fasting: Eating early in the evening and not eating again until a certain time the next day can reduce symptoms of rising stomach acid.
● Chew Gum: Chewing gum increases saliva production, which can help neutralize stomach acid.
AYURDHAMA TREATMENT PROGRAM INCLUDES
- Initial Consultation with Ayurveda Doctor and daily follow up consultation
- Accommodation
- All Ayurvedic Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Supper) & herbal drink.
- Advice on Diet & Lifestyle Management
- Ayurveda Therapies – Customized for each client.
- Yoga (once a day – Yoga Asanas, Breathing, Meditation and Relaxation)
Pathya (Restrictions) during Treatment Package:
During these treatment Clients should strictly follow the Pathyas (restrictions)
- Only very light and warm food is allowed, Only warm water for drinking and bathing
- No coffee and Black tea
- No Non veg food (meat – All types, Fish and eggs)
- No Alcoholic drinks
- No exertion (mentally and physically)
- No Day sleep
RESERVATION DETAILS
- We are committed to keep up the quality of our treatment programs and we take only a limited number of patients each month.
- So we advise you to reserve your treatment programs a minimum one month in advance.
- The 50% charges of the treatment programs should be paid in advance to reserve the treatment programs.
- The advance deposit will be deducted from the total treatment programs and the balance must be paid on the first day of the treatment program.