Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Have you ever experienced heartburn, a sour taste in your mouth, or a backflow of the acid that hurts your stomach and wakes you up at night? These are acid reflux. Acid reflux is a normal physiologic process, and if your symptom is short term, there may not be a need for concern.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is characterized by a backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing. However, with the modern lifestyle, we are seeing more and more severe clinical cases of acid reflux.
According to research, GERD is estimated to affect around 18-27 % of US population.
It’s concerning because it indicates that the dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract affects roughly a quarter of the US population. I have always stated that GI function is the foundation of health. It is true that conventional medicine offers effective treatment for GERD.
However, the challenge lies in finding and treating GERD from the root cause. While conventional approaches can reduce the symptoms, it’s more important to look at the underlying cause and really restore the function.
There are certain risk factors associated with GERD:
- Obesity
- Older age
- Tobacco use
- Stress
- Low socioeconomic status
How TCM views GERD
In TCM, the backflow of stomach Qi causes the backflow of gastric content. The normal flow of stomach Qi should go downward, not upward.
What caused the backflow of stomach Qi? So the first cause of Qi flowing upward or unwanted direction is because of stagnation or blockage in the meridian or in the Zhang Fu organ.
The stomach and Spleen are affected by the flow of liver Qi. When there is liver Qi stagnation, the spleen, and stomach Qi cannot sufficiently function to transform and transport the nutrient (nutritive Qi) and distribute it effectively to the body. Moreover, when liver Qi is severely stagnant, the Qi stagnation can lead to liver heat stagnation, further scorching the meridian and Zhang Fu organ and causing more heat toxin stagnation along the pathway. Liver Qi stagnation is usually associated with stress and a lack of balanced emotion.
Spleen and stomach Qi deficiency can also cause GERD. Spleen and stomach Qi are responsible for transporting and transforming the nutrient. When Qi is deficient or weak, then the function is depleted. Deficiency in the spleen and stomach is usually caused by chronic illness that further depletes the normal physiologic function, imbalanced diet, or exertion.
Phlegm stagnation also leads to GERD. In TCM, phlegm is the waste product of nutrients that the body can’t use and can cause stagnation in the meridians and Zhang Fu organ. Phlegm obstruction can lead to the obstructive flow of Qi, cause backflow, and lead to Qi stagnation and Qi deficiency. This can be seen in obesity and long-term poor eating habits.
The uniqueness of TCM is to differentiate pathological change into different patterns. You can have the same diagnosis of GERD from your doctor, but the pattern can vary significantly different. That’s why TCM treatment is individualized and highly customized.
Treatments for GERD
Treatment of GERD with herbal formulas:
The focus of TCM herbal treatment is to correct the stagnation, clear the heat toxin and phlegm, and restore the function and flow of Qi. TCM herbal formulas are highly customized for individuals. But I am very happy to see research on TCM formula used in clinical settings as an alternative treatment for GERD.
There is one clinical research on the safety and efficacy of the herbal formula in treating GERD. In this research, Wendan decoction (WDD) is used to treat GERD and BRD (Bile reflux disease). Both pathological changes are the result of disrupted homeostasis in gastric function that results in gastric acid reflux or exposure. The result of this research demonstrates the consistency of WDD in treating GERD and BRD with more than 40% efficacy and a low relapse rate of 12.4% compared to more than 40% relapse rate in conventional treatment.
Treatment of GERD with acupuncture:
The mechanism of acupuncture can be demonstrated as neuromodulation, adjustment of gastrointestinal motility and visceral hypersensitivity, anti-inflammation, repairment of gut microbiota, and intestinal barrier.
This research shows that acupuncture treatment significantly reduces symptoms score in GERD. It also shows that acupuncture can reduce inflammation under the gastroscope for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
In addition, conventional treatment for GERD may not address the root cause of the problem, which can lead to recurring symptoms and a need for ongoing medication. In contrast, TCM offers a natural and personalized approach to GERD treatment that can help address the root cause of the problem and promote long-term healing.
