Sunday, May 31, 2009

Gastroesophageal Reflux - Cause and Solution

Stephanie M, Fri. May. 29, 2009, writes: "My 3 week old had Gastroesophageal reflux, the doctor gave us some medicine to give her, and a different formula for the next couple days while the medicine starts working. Is there any kind of home remedies to try with her until the medicine starts working? she's still almost constantly crying."

Dr. Smith's Reply:

The Cause -
Cindy Whittaker sent your request to me. If you are not breast feeding, then change to goat's milk only. The cause is what is being fed to the child. Formulas recommended by conventional pediatric doctors are too acid-forming.

The Solution
-
Dilute 100% pure Apple Cider Vinegar(ACV), like Braggs, in reverse osmosis (R.0.) purified water and give your child one teaspoon before feeding. Dilution, for example, 1/2 teaspoon of ACV in 1/2 teaspoon of purified water. You may dilute with a little more water to make less bitter, if needed, for child to tolerate. Those who use this on a regular basis are often surprised that the gastro-esophageal heals and medication was not needed.

Of course, the important step to take it stop what is causing it in the first place. For infants, it is man-made formulas; for children and adults, it is eating more acid-forming foods (meat, bread, dairy, beans, legumes, bottled or packaged foods containing chemical additives, sugar, etc.) than alkaline foods (vegetables and fruits) on a daily basis.

Age Dosages of 100% Pure Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)- Ingest Before Each Meal:

For Children:
Infants (0-1 year) - 1/2 teaspoon
1-6 years - 1 1/2 teaspoon of ACV;
7-12 years - two teaspoons of ACV;
13 years and up - give adult dosage.

For Adults, add one tablespoon of pure Apple Cider Vinegar to one cup of warm R.O. purified water and ingest before each meal. It is okay to increase the dosages, if needed, no matter what age. You may add Stevia to sweeten, if too bitter for your taste.

Doesn't Work For You?
If this recommendation does not work for your infant, child or the adult following these instructions, then the problem is more serious, i.e., at a "clinical" nutritional stage of progression, and requires more information. Therefore, please call me at (940) 761-4045.

Historical Comment
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Originally, labeled as heartburn or digestion, this was changed a number of years ago to Gastroesophageal Reflux, Acid Reflux, or Gastric Reflux. However, though seemly different words, the meaning is the same. The question is why rename heartburn and indigestion for more complicated, medical terms?

After all the simple terms are definitive, the only place one can have heartburn or indigestion is in the Gastro-esophageal area of the body and it is obviously an upchuck (reflux), so why complicate it by labeling a symptom (heartburn, indigestion) a disease or medical condition (Gastroesophageal, Acid or Gastric Reflux)?

Perhaps because treating a medical condition or disease leads to higher cost Prescription Drugs (instead of over-the-counter), physician's office visits for diagnosis and follow-up, and insurance coverage. As the murder mysteries often script, "follow the money."