Dr. Rajesh T G,
Sr. Physician,
CENTRE FOR TEXTUAL STUDIES & PUBLICATIONS, ARYA VAIDYA SALA, KOTTAKKAL

At the entrance to your stomach there is a valve, a ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Normally, the LES closes as soon as food passes through it. But if it doesn’t close all the way or it opens too often, acid made by your stomach can move up into your esophagus. This can cause symptoms such as a burning chest discomfort called heartburn. If acid reflux symptoms happen more than twice a week, you may have acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Causes

One common cause of acid reflux disease is a stomach abnormality called a hiatal hernia. This occurs when the upper part of the stomach and LES move above the diaphragm, a muscle that separates your stomach from your chest. Normally, the diaphragm help us to keep acid in our stomach. But if you have a hiatal hernia, acid can move up into your esophagus and cause symptoms of acid reflux disease.

These are other common risk factors for acid reflux disease:

• Being overweight or obese
• Eating heavy meals or lying down immediately after a meal
• Snacking close to bedtime
• Eating certain foods, such as citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, spicy or fatty foods
• Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, or tea
• Smoking
• Pregnancy may trigger GERD
• Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, certain muscle relaxers, or blood pressure medications

Symptoms of acid reflux are:

• Regurgitation: a sour or bitter-tasting acid backing up
• Heartburn: a burning pain or discomfort that may move from your stomach to your  chest, or even up to your throat
• Burping
• Dysphagia – the sensation of food being stuck in your throat
• Bloody or black stools or bloody vomiting
• Hiccups
• Nausea
• Weight loss for no known reason
• Wheezing, dry cough, hoarseness, or chronic sore throat
• Bad breath and/or a bad taste in the mouth
• Chest pain
• Asthma

Diagnosis

Barium swallow Radiograph(X-Ray), USG, Endoscopy

From an Ayurvedic perspective, acid reflux(AmlaPittam) is usually considered as an imbalance of the Pitta dosha in the body. Pitta dosha represents heat, or the fire element, therefore anything that increases fire element in the body or mind has the potential to cause reflux.

• If you are facing the issue of belching and acid reflux, try fasting or upvasa from time to time. It is not recommended to overdo.
• Avoid the consumption of excessive tea, coffee, especially black tea or black coffee and carbonated or alcoholic beverages.
• Avoid junk food, processed and fermented foods.
• Avoid using garlic, onions, tomatoes, and vinegar in cooking.
• Avoid oily and rich gravies, sour, salty, and spicy foods.
• Curd should be strictly avoided.
• Take meals in a relaxed atmosphere at regular intervals.
• Incorporate any kind of physical activity and exercise regularly.
• Keep your head elevated with pillows while in bed.
• Eating meals in small proportions can help you.
• Excessive stress & worries should be managed.
• Drink ginger or cumin tea once a day.
• Using some herbs and spices in your diets such as turmeric, cumin, fennel seeds, coriander, basil leaves and hing (asafetida) can also help.
• Drinking water immediately after meals should be avoided as it slows down Agni and digestion.
• Snacking in between should be avoided. Eat only when hungry.
• Sipping warm water during a meal will help in digestion and absorption of food.

Treatment

Indukanthamkashayam -15ml +45ml Luke warm water may be taken twice daily before food.

Vizhalveradi kashyam-15ml +45ml Luke warm water may be taken twice daily before food.

Goorochanadigulika/Hinguvadigulika/Dhanwantharamgulika/Acidact/Vayugulika -1-2 tab maybe added along with kashayam accordingly

Vilwadi leham/Parooshakadi leham/Drakshadi leham/Thaleesapathradi leham-10gm along with 2cap of Sankhabhasmam may be taken twice daily after food.

Dadimadighritam, Mahathikthaghritam, Kalyanakaghritam, Swayamagnisindooram, Ashtachoorna, Brihat vaiswanarachoornam etc are the common medicines used to treat GERD.

Yogasanas such as Pavanamukthasana, Vajrasana, Veerasana, Koormasana etc. helps to regulates the digestion by reducing  the excess Acid secretion.