Dr. Michael Minond

New York City Chiropractor

Holistic Wellness through Advanced Chiropractic and Nutritional Care

Gastric Reflux Disease - GERD

If you have ever woken in the middle of the night with heartburn that produces acid indigestion, or if you find yourself suffering from acid reflux and indigestion after eating certain types of foods, then you probably suffer from GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Patient Testimonials

"I have suffered from GERD for so long that I can't remember what it is like to eat a normal meal.

It interfered with my sleep schedule and it interfered with my social life. Luckily, I read that Dr. Minond could help, so I gave him a try.

What a difference in only three visits! I am able to eat without getting sick now."

-James, age 32

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Minond

New York City Chiropractor, Dr. Michael Minond

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What is GERD?

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is also known as "acid reflux" or acid indigestion. The word "gastro" stands for the stomach, "esophageal" stands for the esophagus, and "reflux" means to move backwards. People who suffer from GERD have their stomach acids and partially digested food move backwards from their stomach into their esophagus.

Because stomach acids can back into the esophagus, those people who suffer from GERD often suffer from problems relating to their esophagus. While the stomach has a protective lining to protect it from stomach acids, the esophagus has no protective lining. As a result, GERD sufferers may experience complications in their esophagus and in their throat.

I am commonly asked by my patients "What is GERD?" and "How can I get my life back from GERD without relying on constant medication?" While answering the question as to what is GERD is simple, pinpointing the symptoms and causes is not always easy.

Symptoms of Gastric Reflux Disease

Often, people who complain of acid indigestion and heartburn do not realize that these are not separate diseases, but are symptoms of a reflux disorder. The most common symptoms of gastric reflux disease are heartburn and indigestion.

While some people might dismiss heartburn as being a source of pain, it is important to remember that over three-quarters of people who suffer from night-time heartburn have attacks of such severity that the pain can rank equal to those who suffer from angina and heart attack. Other symptoms of GERD include:

Dyspepsia, which can present as an unbearable feeling of fullness and/or nausea after eating

Regurgitation, which is a back-up of acid in the throat

Chest pains, that present as food trapped within the upper chest. Chest pain is one top symptom of a reflux disorder. If ever in doubt as to whether chest pain is caused by GERD or by a heart attack, please seek emergency help immediately.

Nightly dry cough

Sore throat

Earaches

Some sufferers of GERD also find themselves suffering from asthma. This is because refluxed acid can stimulate the nerves that lead to the lungs. These nerves then restrict and narrow, producing an asthma attack.

Causes of Gastric Reflux Disease

There are many different causes of gastric reflux disease. GERD is mainly caused by the inability of the sphincter located in the lower esophagus to close properly. When you eat or drink, there is a flap at the end of the esophagus that opens to allow food and drink to pass from the esophagus into the stomach.

If this flap weakens or does not close properly, then acid and food can back up into the esophagus. There are several different reasons why this lower esophageal flap may not close properly:

Abnormal stomach function can cause a slow digestion of food, which allows the pressure of undigested food within the stomach to push the flap open

Medications can both cause reflux problems as well as aggravate the condition in people who already suffer from GERD. OTC medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin can cause reflux problems as well as prescription medications such as antibiotics, beta blockers, which are used for high blood pressure, iron pills, and Dopamine, which is used to treat Parkinson's disease. Medications taken to treat osteoporosis can also lead to GERD.

Pregnancy and hormones can cause a relaxation of the esophageal flap. Many pregnant women suffer from GERD during their pregnancy.

Hiatal hernias can cause reflux issues. A hiatal hernia causes a portion of the stomach to protrude upwards into the esophagus, opening the esophageal flap.

GERD and Diet

If you suffer from GERD, you may feel as if there is nothing you can eat that will not cause you pain. This is far from the truth. While some foods, such as those that contain a high acidity, like citrus fruits and tomatoes, may cause pain, you may be pleased to learn that a healthy diet is a good diet for those who suffer from GERD.

I recommend managing GERD and diet by starting with a bland diet and then slowly introducing new foods in, to see which ones cause your GERD. You will discover that there are more foods that you can eat, than there are foods you can't eat.

Treatments for Gastric Reflux Disease

Many people simply take an OTC for their GERD, not realizing that these medications can have side effects such as kidney damage, constipation, or diarrhea. I recommend treatments for gastric reflux disease that include testing for food allergies, diet and lifestyle changes, and chiropractic care.

I will analyze your spine and check for mis-aligned vertebrae which may be compressing stomach and esophagus nerves. You may be surprised to learn that often, finding the problem at the spine and correcting it can make GERD disappear forever.