Do you experience heartburn or acid reflux (also known as GERD) after a meal - even up to an hour after? Especially when you’ve been to your favorite restaurant and enjoyed alcohol, bread, fried or spicy foods, and maybe even a chocolate dessert? Â
These foods along with tomato products, coffee, black tea, citrus juices, and peppermint can lead to the sour and burning acid taste in your mouth. It sounds almost as bad as it feels, doesn’t it?Â
You may also experience a cough or hoarse voice that just won’t go away - or even trouble swallowing your food.
I’ll bet you’ve heard of heartburn, acid reflux and GERD. They’re terms for this irritating, uncomfortable and very common stomach disease. About 20% of people in the U.S. suffer from acid reflux and live with the often daily discomfort. But, you don’t have to!Â
Is acid reflux normal?
These symptoms are common, but they are not normal. You shouldn’t be feeling this way. In fact, these acid reflux symptoms indicate your body is experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction. You’re feeling this pain because your body isn’t getting what it needs. At its core, it’s that simple.Â
And, that means we can fix it!
Eight out of ten clients I see experience acid reflux. They can’t enjoy their favorite nighttime TV show because of the distracting pain, they have to excuse themselves early from a celebratory dinner with friends, the quality and quantity of their sleep is reduced - all from chronic nighttime acid reflux.
Is this all striking a very familiar chord? Are you tired of self-treating or believing that this is the way it is because most everyone you know has the same symptoms?
Healing and preventing acid reflux
As with all my clients, I aim to get to the root cause of your GI dysfunction. This doesn’t mean a restrictive diet. Typically with some focused dietary and lifestyle modifications and nutraceutical supplements you can resume eating many of the foods you love - minus the cost of hours of discomfort!Â
Sometimes, we discover other lifestyle considerations. Being overweight and/or smoking can also exacerbate acid reflux. In these cases, we work on a plan and coaching to improve what isn’t optimal for you.
Medication is not the answer
If you’ve seen your physician about this, they have most likely prescribed something like Prilosec or Nexium (a PPI) or an H2 (histamine) blocker like Zantac or Tagamet. You may also rely on an over-the-counter remedy like Tums. Unfortunately, these medications only mask the symptoms, without resolving the issues.
Many of my clients have been on them for years, even though the standard dosing is two weeks, up to six weeks. Plus, there are plenty of unhealthy side effects – short and long term. They can cause nutrient deficiencies, most notably Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Zinc. Additionally, prolonged use of some of these drugs has been linked to bone fractures, dementia, kidney disease, and pneumonia. Â
You know what’s even more troubling? One out of three people who take one of these drugs still experience all of the symptoms!
Feel better. Live healthier.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat your acid reflux. On the contrary - it’s not something to be ignored. It’s more than the episodic discomfort you feel following a meal. Acid reflux and GI dysfunction can lead to the development of an ulcer, infections, hiatal hernia and other serious conditions when left untreated.Â
Together, we can develop a personalized solution - one that answers your body’s unique call for help. We’ll take a natural approach to gut health and wellness - going beyond symptoms to focus on healing and recovery for a lifetime of feeling vital!Â
I am offering a free 20-minute consultation to learn about what you're experiencing so I can help you discover your new normal. Let's see if we're a fit!
Start today:
Simply choose a time below that is convenient for you, or email me at Maureen@MaureenWest.net to schedule your free consultation.
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