Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Dehydration Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND One topic that seems to come up frequently is dehydration. This topic is important, especially in the summer weather because a common cause of dehydration is simply sweating. As we all know, the hot, humid weather that is typical of …
Humidity and our skin! Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Summertime can be a time for beach going, Barbeques and just all kinds of outdoor fun! However, summer brings more than just fun outdoor activities. It also brings humidity. While most people know how high humidity affects …
GERD and ACID REFLUX
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Next to constipation and diarrhea, one of the most common concerns that people have is stomach acid. This includes GERD or gastroesophageal re-flux disease. Other common concerns that relate to stomach acid include Peptic ulcers, gastritis, and ironically, too little stomach acid. In this blog we will be focusing on GERD and an Invite product called Min Acid. Min Acid is one of my favorite recommendations for GERD. There is much to cover so let us get into it, shall we?
So, what exactly is GERD or gastroesophageal re-flux disease? GERD is known as acid re-flux or heartburn. The lower esophageal sphincter or “doorway” between the stomach and esophagus does not close properly allowing the acid and other stomach contents to leave the stomach and enter the esophagus. Normally the stomach has protection, so it can manage the acid without being damaged or causing pain. In contrast, the esophagus does not have these protections and thus when the acid rises it causes complications and pain. (1)
Most people know the symptoms of GERD include heartburn or burning in the chest, it can have quite a few other symptoms or be asymptomatic. In addition to heartburn, there can be a metallic or acidic taste in the mouth. Acid can cause bad breath and even an increase in saliva. As acid causes damage, pain with swallowing or even just a chronic sore throat is common. Some people with GERD never have any pain, but do develop symptoms such as a chronic cough, trouble breathing, an increase in asthma attacks and even chest pain that can be confused as coming from the heart. This is typically known as silent GERD since the classic heartburn is absent. While GERD can cause nausea or vomiting, this is less common in adults and is seen more in children and infants. (3) Children and infants can get GERD, but the symptoms are different than in adults. They can include vomiting, spitting up, coughing, wheezing, and food refusal that leads to weight loss. There can also be excessive burping and bad breath. (4) Over time acid can damage the enamel of teeth as well as the gums and dry mouth or burning mouth. (5)†
The number one risk factor for GERD is H. Pylori. In fact, up to 40% of GERD cases are associated with an H. Pylori infection. (6) Other risk factors include gallstones, obstructive sleep apnea, and obesity. 13% of changes in esophageal acid exposure is attributable to an increase in body mass index (BMI). (7) A hiatal hernia can also increase the risk of GERD. Holistically, food allergies/sensitivities can also increase the risk of GERD. Pathogens can also increase the risk of GERD. Stress is a significant risk factor for GERD. Certain medications and smoking are also risk factors for GERD. Lastly pregnancy can trigger GERD. (8)
Long term complications caused by an increase in stomach acids but are not limited to cancer. Other complications for GERD can include Esophagitis, esophageal strictures, and barrettes esophagus. (9)
What can you do if you have GERD? Well in addition to your medications one of my favorite suggestions is Min Acid! It hits all the markers for helping GERD.
Min Acid is an excellent formula for helping heal our digestive tract. However, the most common question I have gotten thus far about this product is “I have high blood pressure is this product safe to use?” Licorice extracts normally contain a compound called glycyrrhizin. This is the part of licorice that affects blood pressure. DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice does not contain glycyrrhizin and thus should not affect potassium levels. According to Mount Sinai DGL “does not seem to have the undesired side effects of licorice”. (11) By removing the glycyrrhizin, it makes the DGL form different in that it “does not alter blood pressure”. (12) Therefore YES, it is safe to use!
What does Min Acid do for us?
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Digestive Health Overview Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Digestive health does not just mean diarrhea or constipation. In fact, while diarrhea or constipation can be a concern by themselves, they are often symptoms of other disorders such as SIBO, IBS, IBD and even diverticulitis. The digestive tract is one …
IBS and IBD Written by Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND A question I am often asked is, “what is the difference between Irritable Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome?” Aren’t they the same? Well not really. While both are digestive conditions involving irritation in our digestive …
SIBO and Diverticulitis
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
In this blog I wanted to talk about 2 conditions that may not seem related at 1st glance but are more closely related than you may think! These conditions are diverticulitis and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). In both conditions there is an overgrowth of bad bacteria. (1, 2) But just what is diverticulitis? What is SIBO? And what can you do if you are affected by these conditions? It is a lot to cover so let us get into it, shall we?
Let us start with diverticulitis. In diverticulitis there are small bulging pouches in the intestine. These pouches called diverticula are usually found in the lower parts of the intestines and normally the large intestine. In the case of diverticulitis these pockets have become infected or have an overgrowth of bad bacteria. (3) In contrast diverticulosis is where you have the pouches but there is not an overgrowth of bacteria. In this blog I will be concentrating on diverticulosis which is where you get the infection in the pouches. (1)
SIBO is also an overgrowth of bacteria. One of the differences between diverticulitis and SIBO is location. As I stated diverticulitis usually occurs in the large intestine and as the name implies SIBO occurs in the small intestine. (2) Another difference between the 2 disorders is the type of bacteria that are typically the cause of the infection. While in diverticulitis the bacteria found is typically the type thought of as “bad bacteria’ in the case of SIBO we can find the growth of what is typically considered normal or even “good bacteria.” (1, 2)
I know what you are thinking, this is great, but I am still confused! Well to make a long story short both SIBO and diverticulitis involve an overgrowth of bacteria. SIBO occurs in the small intestine and diverticulitis occurs in pouches typically in the large intestine or lower intestine.
Now what are some of the most common symptoms of diverticulitis? The most common symptoms include cramps, gas, bloating, and changes in bowel movements and blood in the stool. (4) You may also experience abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, fever, and chills. Long term there may be a decrease in appetite which can result in weight loss. (5) The symptoms of SIBO are like diverticulitis! To start there typically are changes in bowel movements. With SIBO this change tends to run towards diarrhea more often than constipation. However, constipation does occur more often than you would expect. Therefore, in my professional opinion the presence of constipation should not automatically rule out SIBO. Other symptoms that are also like diverticulitis include gas, bloating, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain and even loss of appetite and thus weight loss. Those symptoms more strongly associated with SIBO include fatigue, joint pain, insomnia, brain fog and even nutrient deficiencies such as low B12. (6)
When it comes to risk factors for diverticulitis and SIBO once again some of them are the same. For both diverticulitis and SIBO constipation or slow transit time can increase your risk. (7, 8) Anything that can increase the risk of constipation can increase the risk of both digestive concerns. For example, a low fiber diet and even a high meat diet. Other risk factors more linked to diverticulitis include extreme weight loss, advanced age, a genetic predisposition, and a condition called Ehlers Danlos syndrome. (7) There are also some factors that cause food to move more slowly through the small intestine thus they increase the risk of SIBO. These factors include low stomach acid, structural malformations of the small intestine, IBD, immunodeficiency and even certain medications. (8) Lastly as we all know stress and anxiety can lead to constipation thus increasing the risk of diverticulitis and SIBO. (7, 8)
What can you do to help with the symptoms of diverticulitis and SIBO?
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