Gord occurs when the ring of muscle that sits at the lower end of the oesophagus becomes abnormally relaxed.

Many people live with constant reflux. One woman told me last week that she is constantly woken up in the night because of reflux and regularly takes an over-the-counter medication to settle her stomach.

Of course, this is not an answer; it is just ‘papering over the cracks’. A more serious condition known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (Gord) can cause people to have a constant cough and a hoarse voice, a lump-in-the-throat sensation, indigestion and bloating.

A regularly prescribed medication can cause side effects such as dizziness, nausea, depression, sweating and abdominal pain. So what could help from a more alternative point of view? Could a lifestyle change help?

Gord is one of the most common problems seen by GPs. Briefly, it occurs when the ring of muscle that sits at the lower end of the oesophagus (where it joins the stomach) becomes abnormally relaxed. This allows the stomach’s contents, which contain gastric acids for the aid of digestion, to flow back (reflux) up into the oesophagus.

Many people experience this from time to time and it is referred to as heartburn or indigestion. However, in those people who suffer from this condition on a chronic basis, it can damage the sensitive lining of the oesophagus and lead to Gord.

The usual medication can have terrible side effects, but we will not go into those in detail. The aim is to look at alternatives, as nearly 30 per cent of sufferers still experience the condition despite taking medication (Minerva Gastroenterol. Dietol., 2003). Another option is anti-reflux surgery. However, two-thirds of patients continue to need to take anti-reflux medication after having surgery.

Alternative routes to consider begin with diet – of course. Certain foods and drinks known to worsen Gord include spicy foods, chocolate, alcohol, fizzy drinks, caffeine, citrus juices, cow’s milk and peppermint-flavoured products.

Preferred meals are low carbohydrates rather than high-calorie and high-fat meals. A qualified nutritional therapist will help with this change to ensure all nutrients are included in the new diet.

In a small US study, chewing gum for one hour after a meal was proven to ease symptoms of Gord for up to three hours after eating (Ailment Pharmacol. Ther., 2001).

In China, acupuncture has been used to treat gastrointestinal problems for thousands of years. Recently American scientists reported that acupuncture may be effective for Gord because it stimulates gastrointestinal motility (the filling and emptying of the stomach and colon), which is often impaired in those who suffer from Gord.

Another traditional Chinese remedy is a herbal decoction known as jiangni hewei, made of fresh ginger, Pinellia, clove, Agastache (hummingbird mint) and hematite; it was as effective as medication for treating reflux in one trial.The Chinese remedy came out on top overall, as it caused no adverse side effects, and symptoms were less likely to return in those taking herbal remedies. Other herbs that may prove helpful are liquorice, aloe vera, slippery elm, bladderwrack and marshmallow.

Nearly 30 per cent of sufferers still experience the condition despite taking medication

Supplements can also help. Antioxidants came out on top in a study with animals, where an antioxidant-rich, herbal extract (Artemisia asiatica) helped prevent and treat oesophagitis, inflammation of the oesophagus, which can happen with Gord. Although this result may not replicate in humans, it was an interesting result (Gut, Gord).

More quick tips for dealing with reflux include:

• Avoid lying down within three hours of having a meal. This advice is particularly pertinent to those who eat late in the evening and then go to bed within three hours. Eating late is never a good idea for many other reasons, but if you suffer from reflux or Gord it should not be happening;

• Elevate the head of the bed to prevent symptoms during sleep;

• Exercise regularly; however, avoid more jarring activities such as rowing or running, which can make symptoms worse, especially straight after eating. It is generally common sense that we should not be exercising straight after a meal;

• Another option is to try abdominal breathing exercises. These may help by actively training the diaphragm, which is a muscle important for preventing reflux and ultimately Gord (Am. J. Gastroenterol., 2012);

• A recommended exercise is – place one hand on the abdomen with the other hand on the chest. As you breathe in, try to push the air into the abdomen so that the hand on your abdomen rises while the hand on your chest stays still. Practise this for a few minutes each day;

• To monitor any dietary changes, keep a food and symptom diary to observe which foods are improving your reflux and which are accelerating it.

It is always worth trying these simple alternative methods before resulting to medication or even surgery in the worst-case scenario.

kathryn@maltanet.net