Lifting the Burden of GERD
“Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.” –Gordon B. Hinckley
What makes life worth living? Ask any
Malaysian and they would probably have “enjoying food” on their list.
Food plays a major role in our lives. It is a daily conversation topic, a
compass to plan social events, a display of love, a cause for
competition, and a source of adventure. No one really thinks about the
inability to enjoy food, given that eating is something that we do
almost automatically from birth.
However, the inability
to enjoy food is a reality for those suffering a specific tummy
affliction which has been sweeping the nation. This was what happened to
Raymond. With a thriving career, Raymond was at his peak.
Unfortunately, his tummy got in the way.
Raymond
experienced heartburn years back but the symptoms would go away with a
gulp of antacids. In the last year, however, Raymond would have great
discomfort especially after eating. He would feel the food coming back
up and a sour taste in his mouth. Not just that, there was gas and
bloating too. Each day was a struggle as he would feel tired, not being
able to sleep well at night because of the reflux. Tests at the hospital
finally showed that Raymond was experiencing a chronic form of
heartburn called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD for short.
Understanding GERD
When
we eat something, the food travels down a tube called the esophagus
into the stomach. At the bottom of the esophagus, before the opening to
the stomach, lies a circular tube of muscle known as the lower
esophageal sphincter (LES). When the LES becomes damaged or weakened, it
fails to close all the way, causing the acidic contents of the stomach
to move back up (reflux) into the esophagus. Stomach acid has a pH close
to battery acid. When this acid contacts the esophagus and sometimes
rises up into the mouth, damage and pain ensues.
Acid
reflux causes a burning pain in the chest commonly known as heartburn.
When acid reflux symptoms happen more than twice a week or is
accompanied by difficulty in breathing or swallowing, it could denote a
more serious condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
The prevalence of GERD has been found to be rising across Southeast
Asia, numbers of which are up to 20% from data recorded after 2005. i
Many
people with acid reflux or GERD believe that their condition is caused
by stress or from eating spicy or acidic food. While stress is not a
cause, it is one of the factors that can aggravate GERD. Scientists have
found that people are more sensitive to stomach acid when they are
stressed. Besides stress, obesity is also another driving factor of GERD
development. As weight accumulates in the belly area, it creates
pressure on the diaphragm and LES to cause further weakening of the LES
muscles. With Malaysia ranked as the fattest nation in Asia, it is not
surprising that more and more people are suffering GERD. Smoking is
another risk factor for GERD as the nicotine in cigarettes cause a
relaxing effect on the LES, hence allowing stomach acid to escape into
the esophagus.
GERD Development
In an event titled “Oh My GERD” hosted by
NuvaPineA®, a panel of experts came together to discuss the severity of
the GERD epidemic, to help the public to recognise the signs and
symptoms of GERD and more importantly to manage the condition
successfully. The panel comprised Dr. Raja Affendi Raja Ali, Consultant
Physician and Gastroenterologist from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia;
Dr. Vagif Soultanov, a Gastroenterologist and Naturopathic Doctor from
Melbourne, and Datin Swanee Teh, Pharmacist and Natural Therapies
Advocate.
“GERD is a condition that worsens over time if
left untreated,” stated Dr. Affendi. “Because it’s a disease driven
both by structural and lifestyle factors, patients need to take
proactive steps to manage it well. Think of it this way, if you had a
wound and did nothing about it, that wound will fester to cause greater
harm. Similarly, GERD needs to be addressed.”
GERD has a
significant negative impact on patients’ quality of life. Imagine being
constantly stressed about what you should eat or not besides having to
limit social dining engagements all in a bid not to trigger GERD
symptoms. A 2003 study showed that GERD patients have a poorer quality
of life in terms of mental health, social functioning and vitality when
compared to the general population.ii A separate study showed that
having GERD decreased work productivity, even more than someone having a
chronic condition like arthritis.iii In effect, GERD affects the very
core of those things human beings take greatest pleasure in – food
enjoyment, restful sleep, and meaningful work.
“Most
people don’t expect the dramatic changes GERD makes in their lifestyles.
GERD literally sucks all the fun out of life. According to clinical
data, GERD can lead to anxiety and depression and vice versa. GERD also
affects productivity and sleep which drains a person’s sense of
purpose,” explained Dr. Soultanov on the topic of how miserable it is
living with the disease.
What does GERD look like?
Heartburn
is one of the hallmark symptoms of acid reflux. The other symptoms of
GERD include a sour-tasting fluid at the back of the throat (stomach
acid has a sourish taste), difficulty swallowing or a sensation that
something is stuck in the chest or throat, gas build-up, and excessive
belching. Some patients may even experience a chronic dry cough or
breathlessness, which is triggered by the acid reflux. Should the acid
rise up further into the mouth, bad breath can develop as the acid kills
off good bacteria in the mouth. Tooth decay is another consequence of
acid damaging teeth and gums.
Is there a solution?
Conventionally,
heartburn and GERD are treated with medications that control acid.
Routinely, the use of acid-blocking drugs called proton pump inhibitors
(PPIs) is initiated. Examples of PPI drugs include deslansoprazole,
pantoprazole, omeprazole, and esomeprazole. PPIs are potent stomach acid
suppressants. They are popular choices to help patients deal with
symptoms as they work fast.
However, the symptoms of GERD
are sometimes impossible to control, even with the most powerful PPI
drugs. Some studies have already demonstrated that up to 40% of patients
with heartburn reported either a partial or complete lack of response
to PPIs. Not just that, acid blockers are not
meant to be used for the long-term because of adverse effects, the
result of compromised digestion and immune protection when acid
production is suppressed over time.
Current guidelines
recommend that PPIs be used for only 4 - 6 weeks after which they should
be withdrawn or stepped down to less-potent therapy.iv In reality
however, patients continue their PPIs indefinitely as symptoms tends to
recur.
Clinical Pine Therapy
GERD is not a simple
condition to manage. As a naturopathic doctor as well as a researcher,
Dr. Soultanov was at hand to share the results from a recent clinical
study done on a pine conifer green needle extract called Bioeffective® A
and its effects on gastrointestinal health and GERD.
“We
know that Bioeffective® A possess cellular healing properties. In this
study, we wanted to see the extent of its effects amongst patients with
pre-cancerous stomach conditions who were also experiencing GERD. The
administration of Bioeffective® A resulted in a 92% improvement in
dyspeptic symptoms (GERD), including improvement in symptoms such as
gastritis, gas and bowel disorders. Not only that, patients also
regained normality of stomach function besides a reversal in
pre-cancerous lesions,” shared Dr. Soultanov.
“Instead of
sitting around worrying more and more about GERD, Bioeffective® A as a
natural medicine, can offer patients added arsenal to deal better with
their condition. By helping to strengthen damaged or weakened esophageal
valves, as well as to support the normalisation of digestive juices in
the stomach, Bioeffective® A will help get you, your normal tummy back,”
said Datin Swanee Teh.
The session was also attended by
former Prime Minister Tun Dato’ Sri Haji Abdullah bin Haji Badawi who
shared a few words on how Bioeffective® A has helped improve his health.
“At this golden age, all I can hope for is to be as healthy as
possible. I have been taking Bioeffective® A for almost 10 years now for
my defences and anti-aging needs. It is a very safe natural medicine
and my doctors will affirm that my tummy, liver and kidneys are all in
excellent condition. I’m glad to have found such a safe and reliable
friend in health,” he said.
Goodbye GERD
When one
understands the crushing grip GERD has on the many things we enjoy in
life, it’s difficult not to be disheartened. However, the combined
knowledge from both mainstream and naturopathic medicine can now offer
patients a more holistic way of managing their condition successfully.
Raymond
discovered Bioeffective® A online after surfing the net one night when
he couldn’t sleep. Raymond went on a dose of 320mg three times a day as
advised by his pharmacist. Over the weeks, his GERD symptoms gradually
improved. He noted how he was able to tolerate his foods so much better
without those familiar gas and reflux symptoms. Raymond has arrived at a
point where he can actually plan a “makan get-together” without a care
in the world.
Bioeffective® A is made in Australia and is available at leading
pharmacies throughout Malaysia. For more information please call
Nuvanta’s Nuvaceuticals® division at 03-56363758 or email
pharmacist@nuvanta.com.
#ohmygerd
#nuvapineMY
