The common factor in GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. The other common symptom linked with GERD is heartburn. Many further different factors may be involved. These include being asthmatic, overweight, diabetic, pregnant, tardy emptying of stomach contents, connective tissue disorders and hiatus hernias.



Here are some other factors that contribute to the dangers:

GERD can happen when this protrusion of the stomach is big enough to affect the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. This is the result of a hernia that may be hiatal or diaphragmatic in nature, where part of the stomach distends beyond its normal dimensions to invade the lower chest. Stomach juices flow back into the esophageal channel, resulting in serious heartburn.

GERD can also come from being overweight. Excess weight puts strain on the stomach and the diaphragm that is in between the stomach and the abdomen. This in turn affects the lower esophageal sphincter, which then malfunctions and lets gastric acids flow back to the esophagus and cause heartburn. Avoid GERD therefore by reducing your weight.

Risk factors from lifestyle and bad diet habits:

Any excesses in smoking, drinking or eating will put you at risk of GERD. Poor lifestyle and bad diet habits can also have a negative impact.

Asthma is also indirectly involved because the medicaments that act to widen the air path also dilate the muscle of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. This is what allows gastric juices to flow back to the esophagus. There is also the suggestion that excessive coughing and related breathing problems from asthma also put extra pressure on the stomach and increase the danger of GERD.

In a similar way, pregnancy also puts extra pressure on the stomach. Pregnant women therefore may be under significantly more danger of GERD. The risk is compounded by the fact that pregnancy triggers production of progesterone, a hormone that relaxes several muscles including the muscle of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter with GERD:

This is where holistic solutions are much better adapted for results, as they focus in the true causes to arrest or even banish GERD. Although classical medicine attempts to treat GERD, any lasting benefit only comes with a holistic program. Conventional drugs unfortunately do nothing but target the symptoms, without resolving any of the basic, causal elements.

So adopting a holistic point of view is essential in order to handle all of the aspects involved. GERD is complex and the causative agents are multiple, including genetically transmitted characteristics, bad diets, irresponsible lifestyles and even candida infections. This is why the holistic remedies are the solution of choice for eliminating GERD.