How come so many Americans have GERD?

[raccoon]

Is it just something that happens as people age, or is it more Americans than people in other countries?

Any DU'ers got an idea?

[FormerDittoHead]

1. Acid reflux for those who aren't doctors... n/t

[librechik]

2. it's a symptom of obesity

so there you go

[JuniperLea]

8. Not all obese people have it and not all people who have it are obese

so what's your point?

[librechik]

23. while it's symptomatic of several diseases, it is undoubtedly

one symptom of obesity. And over half of all Americans are "obese" as they perceive it. Saying some obese people don't have it isn't refuting my statement.

I used to have GERD symptoms--before I lost 35 pounds. Now I've been clear for many months.

So what's your point?

[JuniperLea]

26. Your own experience...

and perceived obesity... never mind.

[Snow]

29. Not all smokers get lung cancer and

not all people who get lung cancer are smokers. What's your point, that you don't understand the concept of population risk? Can I sell you some cigarettes?

[Nikia]

31. As a person recovering from an eating disorder, anorexics also have GERD

In their case, it is from not eating enough regularly. We would all be better off eating 6 meals per day. Those who eat a lot at each meal would have to adjust the size of their meals accordingly, but it is much better for digestion.

[Warpy]

3. Canola oil is a major trigger

and a lot of processors think they're doing us a big favor by using it. Trans fats may also play a role.

However, most of us have H. Pylorii in our stomachs. Alas, docs don't practice empirical medicine and insist on a gastroscopy and wash to nail down the diagnosis, something uncomfortable for all and prohibitively expensive for those of us without insurance.

[LaPera]

22. What oil do you use instead, besides olive oil...for cooking or frying?

Very curious what are the other options...vegetable oil?

[Warpy]

36. I can tolerate most other oils

and generally just go for the cheap soy oil for deep frying and light olive for sauteeing.

[Cassondra]

35. Coconut Oil

I started including coconut oil in my diet in hopes of controlling cholesterol and indigestion all but disappeared almost immediately.

[LoKnLoD]

4. I got it

thank goodness for Nexium, or I wouldn't be able to eat anything. Too much beer and smoking in my youth I figure in my case (42 now).

[patrice]

5. Hypothesis:Our food is missing some real important tiny little flora

and fauna, not to mention nutrients.

[JuniperLea]

9. That's what the dr. told me

Supplements help. Enzymes, digestive support.


And if you have taken a lot of anti-biotics in your life, you are more likely to have killed off the helpful bugs.

[raccoon]

13. I've taken anti-biotics but not recently.

My doctor told me to take Prilosec. My individual insurance policy is basically just covers catastrophes.

But I remember a local health food store had some enzymes. Is there a particular kind that you know of?

[JuniperLea]

19. I like this one...

http://www.vitacost.com/NatrolDigestSupport

Worth a try! That Prilosec is expensive!


It takes years sometimes to get the gastro balance back after taking anti-biotics.

I can eat anything again as long as I don't eat anything two or three hours before going to bed.

[CottonBear]

6. I have it and I now avoid milk, tomato sauce and peppermints.

Looking back, tomato sauce always upset my tummy. I'm not a milk fan but I did enjoy it with cereal. I haven't been able to get used to Soy or Rice milk. :(

Edit: I'm not obese.

[raccoon]

10. I've got it and I avoid tomato sauce too. And chocolate.

WHich is OK because I'm not a real big chocolate fan anyway.

Seems odd that milk would bother it. I always thought it was supposed to be soothing. I remember hearing (as a kid) that people who had ulcers were supposed to drink milk.

[CottonBear]

12. I have never liked milk except in cereal.

The taste and texture gross me out.

Beer and cigs can contribute to GERD as well. I have a big list of the bad foods and drinks at home.

I like to drink beer on occassion so I gave up all the other bad stuff and I've been mostly fine since then!

[marions ghost]

21. and alcohol

according to my Dad's doc alcohol should be (totally) eliminated...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. Two things:

get a food allergy check, and start taking selenium. Studies have shown that cancer rates are lower where selenium is in the ground.

[raccoon]

15. Selenium? I'll look into that. nt

[sce56]

11. I don't know but it sucks big time! My best cure was to sleep in a Mayan

Hammoca so I would keep my head above my stomach while sleeping. They are also great for you know what!


You have to sleep the right way with your head up on the high end like in this picture!

[raccoon]

14. Haven't heard of hammocks, I've heard of those wedge pillows

that keep your head elevated. Maybe I'll get one of those.

"They are also great for you know what!"

No, what? :evilgrin:

[sce56]

18. Has to do with sleeping together with out the unconscious bit!

But seriously they work fine, for a year while I was living in Yucatan I did not have to take my purple pills! You just have to ensure you have a great hanging place for it that is strong enough!

[SalviaBlue]

16. Enzymes cured me

I have had a huge problem with GERD in recent years. I quit eating anything with wheat flour and that helped but I would often cheat and suffer for it and other foods would also bother me; i.e. tomato, fatty, milk, etc. Then I tried taking enzymes with my meals starting about 2 months ago. I don't have GERD anymore and I rarely have heartburn. I think I have lost some weight too.

Try it.

[JuniperLea]

20. That's my experience as well

http://www.vitacost.com/NatrolDigestSupport


I like this stuff best...

[SoCalDem]

17. Eating in a hurry, in cars, at desks, standing up at counters,

eating lots of fried convenience foods?? just guessing..

[Historic NY]

24. I have it a lot.........

it is from the stomach acid that backs up when the piloric valve weakens and opens. If you have frequent "heartburn" it is from the acid. If you have small cavaties in your mouth it is from the acid. The dentist is the one who finally figured out what was going on. I don't think per-se it is spicy foods that cause it but "large" meals. We Americans tend to eat a lot at one sitting.

I have found the best way to prevent it at night is to sleep with several pillows that elevates my head and shoulders above my stomach. The absolute best way is to sleep on your left side.......our stomach plumbing dumps on the right. Sleeping on the right also allows the acid to run out easier. I've taken to sleeping with a body pillow against my back so I do not roll over flat or on my right side. Try it, it does work.

[sinkingfeeling]

25. G.W. Bush....mine developed in mid-January 2001.

[seaglass]

27. My niece has been diagnosed with it and she is only 6 mos. old.

Her formula has been switched a million times and it still hasn't helped. I didn't realize so many people had it.

[Snow]

28. Simple. The pharma companies had to do something to

sell all those antiacid meds after it was found that ulcers were caused by helicobacter & could be treated with antibiotics.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

30. Don't know why but I know what relieves it sans DRUGS. n/t

[medeak]

32. hiatyl hernia

is what causes mine... developed it when preggers 20 yrs ago.

Can't live without Prevacid.

[philb]

33. there are several factors that lead to GERD, and some things that

relieve it.

Dr. Noel Campbell says the following:
Routinely following a healthy eating program such as my eating plan, and drinking about one gallon of pure water per day combined with high doses of a good quality probiotic (beneficial bacteria), is enough to restore normal stomach function in the vast majority of patients.


Also, I'm aware of many who have been helped by the following, with benefits documented by medical studies and experience

VRP Cease Fire, Mastic Gum, from www.vrp.com

[astral]

34. I SWEAR by this because it WORKS

GERD for most of us (not necessarily "ALL" of us) is a LACK of sufficient hydrochloric acid in the stomach, not an over-abundance of it. The average American diet, including soda pops, create this condition over a period of time.

Organic apple cider vinegar drank abundantly diluted in water on a daily basis will get rid of it. It can be as little as a teaspoon per cup of water. You can add raw honey, or do other creative things that don't add too much simple sugar. I learned this from Patricia Bragg who pushes the vinegar for its many tonic benefits but she does not talk about GERD in her book, which surprised me.

I also use, in "MY" personal concoction, so you don't have to do ALL these things yourselves, organic cayenne pepper, real lemon juice (part of the time) and a little black cherry juice and liquid minerals.

It is highly recommended you also give up drinking water straight from the tap, but use real springwater or a water filter that takes out fluoride and chlorine in addition to other pollutants in the water.

It takes a little effort, but I swear it works. I can eat tomato sauce, and I can drink coffee (fresh!) and I can indulge in some occasional chocolate. But avoid the usual 'fast food' type stuff at least 99.999999% of the time, and if you like pop, especially diet pop, give it UP completely.

(Oh, and if you try this method, give up your anti-stomach acid pills such as Prilosec as it has the OPPOSITE goal of what you're trying to accomplish.)

Totally up to you. I had to try it to believe it.
(PS The cayenne and real squeezed lemon juice were added as I heard those items also help your stomach create more hydrochloric acid.)

[benEzra]

37. Stress.

Working the longest hours in the industrialized world (way more than even the Japanese).

Lack of exercise.

Fatigue.

Obesity (in some cases).

The tendency to eat lots of food at once and then go sit/lie down.



But it can also have medical causes. My 7 y.o. son has a degree of GERD due to severe gastric dysmotility, secondary to DiGeorge syndrome/VCFS. His gastroparesis is treated with great success with cisapride (Propulsid), no thanks to Sidney Wolfe. Our son's biggest problem isn't the reflux, but the dysmotility that often leads to severe nausea/vomiting.