How to Stop Indigestion and Acid Reflux
by Vanita Dahia
Upper Digestive Complaints such as dyspepsia, heartburn and irritation in the upper gut mucosa can cause significant pain and discomfort in the upper belly. You may experience belching, burping, bloating, heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, or vomiting.
Functional dyspepsia (FD) and Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) are two such upper GI disorders, with a prevalence of 10–30% in Western populations such as Australia. Indigestion affects 1 in 4 people. It is no wonder that the use of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) has increased by 1300% over the last 10 years and is considered to be among the top 10 prescribed drugs in Australia since the 2000s. PPIs cost the Australian PBS $200 million per annum.
These conditions can cause high levels of personal, societal and financial burden. Often, indigestion overlaps and exists with other GI disorders like Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disorder (GORD), Functional Dyspepsia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and chronic constipation.
Conventionally, the prescription of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) for both functional dyspepsia and GORD is extensive, and are more commonly prescribed than histamine-2 receptor antagonists such as Zantac.
PPI’s come with their own problems
Adverse effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) include
- Bone factures
- clostridium difficile infection
- pneumonia
- myocardial infarction and stroke
- worsening of gastritis, especially when infected with H. pylori
- increased gastric cancer risk in patients who took H.Pylori eradication therapy
Natural Solutions for Indigestion and Acid Reflux
Natural medicine offers a wide range of solutions for Indigestion, acid reflux and upper GI disorders. Digestive enzymes are necessary for the breakdown of
- fats to fatty acids with lipase enzymes
- proteins to amino acids with protease enzymes
- carbohydrates to glucose with amylase enzymes
Diet plays a vital role is aiding digestion. These enzymes can be naturally found in foods.
- Pineapples contain Bromelain
- Papaya contains a protease called papain
- Mango contains amylase
- Bananas contain amylases and glucosidases
- Avocados contain lipase
- Kiwi Fruit contains a protease called actinidain
- Kefir contains lipase, proteases and lactase
- Raw honey contains
- Diastases: Break down starch into maltose
- Amylases: Break down starch into sugars like glucose and maltose
- Invertases: Break down sucrose, a type of sugar, into glucose and fructose
- Proteases: Break down proteins into amino acids
Sometimes, the condition might be quite severe. Food alone may not be enough. Herbal phytotherapy and enzyme supplementation may be required.
Educational Webinar
How to Stop Indigestion and Acid Reflux
In this webinar, you will learn:
- Understanding types of upper gastrointestinal conditions
- What causes indigestion or heartburn?
- Can diet relieve symptoms
- What are the pharmaceutical therapy options
- How to stop indigestion and acid reflux at home or with natural medicine
Test for Gut Function
Test for Gut Function – Microbiome, SIBO, IBS, Reflux, Coeliac, Leaky Gut, Crohn’
