DEAR DR. GOTT: After reading your article on the extensive use and possible side effects of Prilosec and other PPIs, I would like to share with you how I have effectively eliminated heartburn symptoms without medications. My theory is that acid reflux is harmful because of irritation of the esophagus from abrasive and improperly chewed foods. Crisp and crunchy foods are very popular and can be very abrasive if not thoroughly chewed. The regimen I have assigned to myself may not be easy to do at first, but is very simple and may seem a little silly.
1.) Avoid crisp and crunchy foods whenever possible. Corn chips are bad!
2.)While chewing, keep the food to the front of your mouth so it mixes well with saliva and you can feel it become a smooth, even texture. Ideally, try to chew everything to the texture of applesauce.
3.)Avoid drinking a lot of liquids during meals. Natural saliva is best and washing down large lumps of food with water is not good.
From what I have read, difficulty swallowing is considered a symptom of GERD or acid reflux. I would suggest that this is a classic case of reversing cause and effect. I would argue that difficult-to- swallow foods irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn symptoms if not acid reflux itself.
Doing this has made a huge difference for me. I can confidently say that what I have seen is NOT a placebo effect. For that reason I would like to find someone to try it and let either me or you know whether it works or not.
DEAR READER: What do you mean by crisp and crunchy foods? Are you talking snack foods such as chips or pretzels or do you include fresh, raw fruits and vegetables in that category as well? Also, how did you determine that drinking water with a meal is “not good”?
While your theory is interesting, I have one of my own about why your regimen works; you made conventional changes in an unconventional way. For example, eliminating fatty foods which can include chips, pretzels, cookies, and other crisp, crunchy foods, can dramatically reduce acid reflux symptoms. Beyond that, chewing food thoroughly can reduce the amount of stomach acid necessary for digestion. Washing down large lumps of food with any liquid, or even saliva, isn’t good.
Improperly chewing and then swallowing abrasive foods can, indeed, irritate the esophagus; however, the throat is not the reason stomach acid backwashes. Rather, it is the result of the hiatus, a ring of muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus. When this muscle weakens, or a hiatal hernia is present, the normal digestive acid can leak. These “juices” then irritate and inflame the delicate tissues that line the throat.
That being said, if others wish to give your regimen a try, I would welcome their experiences.
Readers who are interested in learning more can order my Health Reports “Hiatal Hernia, Acid Reflux and Indigestion” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form from my website, www.AskDrGottMD.com.
