OT: acid reflux (GIRD) - was Roll Call! and Query (always a query)

April 13, 2006

I am plagued with acid reflux, myself. I know it is different for each

person, but what I know for myself is that I CAN have tomatoes and spicy

food. I do better with whole tomatoes than sauce. Some spices are

actually helpful. Cayenne pepper, for instance, though it burns some

going down, actually has healing properties (like Capsaicin cream sold

in drug stores for muscle pain). I can handle chocolate cake or

pudding, but chocolate sauce or icing and even candy can be problematic.

While gastroenterologists tell you to stay off of garlic and mint, I

think they are wrong. Case in point - why do so many stomach remedies

in the drug store come in mint flavor!

After going to a lecture by an oriental medicine doctor, I took myself

off Prevacid (like Prilosec and Nexium, etc.) and started on taking 2

teaspoons of raw organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of water about

20 minutes before eating. GIRD medications and other antacids,

according to the lecturer, actually harm your digestive process. They

make other less beneficial acids from lower in your digestive tract take

over for the stomach acid. After doing the cider vinegar bit for a few

week, I am actually off it, because the GIRD is much better.

Things that I find helpful when GIRD flares up are: eating smaller

meals/not getting full, chewing very thoroughly, using any techniques at

hand for stress reduction (deep breathing, calming music, scent therapy,

visualization, meditation.), sitting up for a couple of hours after a

meal, having the bed at a slant (yep! Just like in the GIRD medication

ads), ginger, added starch (well-chewed whole grains are best). When

you eat something that is too hot, go for the rice, bread or other

starch, not liquid!

I am on an all ginger ale diet today, getting ready for my 3 year

gastrointestinal check tomorrow (upper and lower GI).

from Maida

Citizens for Pets in Condos, http://www.petsincondos.org

South Florida Vegetarian Events, http://www.soflavegevents.net

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