“You have gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) disease and it is not curable.”

The most common prescription medication in the United States is for the relief of heartburn.

More than 60 million of us experience heartburn once a month while some 15 million have symptoms every day. Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Over a third of Americans are believed to have GERD! It affects people of all ages. Your risk of suffering from GERD increases substantially after age 40.

There is a popular perception within the medical community that the prevalence of GERD is increasing worldwide.

A few years ago, I began having some serious problems with GERD. Almost every day, I experienced severe heartburn, and the strong taste of acid in my mouth. The problem was causing me loss of sleep, irritability, stress, and an underlying and ever present concern about my overall health. I was even more concerned about what else was going on in my body because I know that GERD can be the “tip of the iceberg” and consequential problems can take years to surface. (GERD is a far more complicated and insidious disease than most people realize.)

I experimented with my diet, I tried eating more slowly, and I began taking different types of over the counter anti-acid medications. Nothing worked, so I went to see my doctor. His bottom line assessment was that I had gastroesophageal reflex disease. That didn’t sound good to me at all. But what he said next, sounded even worse. “You have GERD and it is not curable. You will have to take prescription medication for the rest of your life.”

My doctor went to his walk-in supply room and brought out several boxes of pills — a 30 day trial of a prescription medication for GERD. Other than the nasty side effects, the medication worked, and at the end of 30 days I called my pharmacy to inquire about the cost to renew my prescription. It was going to be $250 a month. I thanked the pharmacist, and went back to my doctor to explain that since I did not have health insurance, I was not going to be paying $250 a month to relieve my “heartburn.”

Once again my doctor walked into his supply room and this time got out a 30 day supply of a different prescription. That medication worked just like the first medication, and once again at the end of 30 days I called my pharmacy to ask about the price to renew that prescription. This time it was only going to be about $150 a month. At that point I discovered that I was not even going to be paying $150 a month to relieve my heartburn, and I started to research causes and cures for GERD.

In the few months that followed, I learned how to eliminate all traces of GERD and I have not experienced even the slightest symptom of GERD ever since.
I cannot tell you what to do to cure yourself of the allegedly “incurable” disease called GERD. That’s because everybody is different. What worked for me may not work for you, and in fact may even be bad or impossible for you. I have spoken with many people who experience upset stomach, heartburn, stomach pain, and chronic GERD. One thing everyone seems to agree on is that GERD is a nuisance that ranges in severity from moderately disturbing to seriously incapacitating and if ignored, can eventually result in death. The dictionary definition of “incapacitate” is “to deprive of ability, qualification, or strength; make incapable or unfit; disable.” Many people with GERD will tell you that it has compromised their quality of life.

But there is even a far more serious side to GERD. Left untreated and uncontrolled, GERD easily results in very serious problems, including esophagitis, esophageal bleeding and ulcers, Barrett’s esophagus, strictures, and an increased risk of esophageal cancer. My stepfather died of esophageal cancer. It was a very unpleasant experience for all of us in the family. My stepfather had an anger management problem, and frequently struggled with stress and discontent. These behavioral issues are potentially strong contributory factors leading to GERD.

Somewhere along the way between “moderately disturbing” and “seriously incapacitating”, a variety of seemingly unrelated health problems can crop up. Things such as excessive mucus in the esophagus, ears, throat and nose. Sinusitis. Halitosis. Allergies. Even weakening of the immune system, and malnutrition. Esophagitis can occur when too much stomach acid backwash in the esophagus causes inflammation through repeated contact with the lining of the esophagus. Then, esophagitis can lead to esophageal bleeding and over time, subsequent scarring. The scar tissue can contract and result in a narrowing in the affected part of the esophagus. This can make it difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to swallow. This is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.

At the lower end of the esophagus is a muscular ring called the esophageal sphincter. In cases of GERD, this esophageal sphincter is abnormally relaxed and allows the stomach’s hydrochloric acid to flow back, or ‘reflux’ into the esophagus. Hydrochloric acid is one of the strongest, harshest substances you have in your body. Hydrochloric acid is manufactured in every person’s body. Its purpose is to aid digestion and to remain in the stomach except in instances when it flows downstream and is diluted in the digestion process.

It is essential to know that GERD is not always accompanied by heartburn. Do not, under any circumstances, be misled to believe that if your heartburn is under control, then your GERD is under control also. That is simply not necessarily true.

I studied a host of GERD treatments. Among them are life style changes, endoscopy, surgery, antacids, histamine antagonists, proton competent inhibitors, foam barriers, diet, and pro-motility drugs.

Following are 7 methods that I used to completely and permanently eliminate GERD from my life. (I love the number 7 — it is the number of creation.)

1. The first thing I did was try the age old “apple cider vinegar and bicarbonate of soda” remedy. This remedy has been called everything from “ancient folklore”, to “a miracle cure.” Nonetheless, judging from my research on the Internet, it has helped a lot of people so I tried it. I mixed two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drank it twice a day on an empty stomach. I did this for a week, stopped for a week, and resumed for a week, over a period of three months. It helped somewhat. I have heard some people complain about the taste of this “recipe.” My answer: “Get over it!” Not everything that we eat or drink has to stimulate our palate into a state of overpowering ecstasy!
2. My second approach was to make serious changes to my diet, at least until I got my GERD under control, by either eliminating, or drastically reducing my consumption of, the following: caffeinated drinks, chocolate, spicy food, alcoholic beverages, processed meat, sugar, white flour (as in white bakery products), bottled or canned energy drinks, carbonated drinks, fried foods, high-fat meals, tomato products, fruit juices, creamy salad dressings, junk food snacks such as potato chips and corn chips, salt, sour cream, ice cream, milk, red meat, and raw onions. I ate more vegetables, and high-protein plant foods, especially beans, and tofu. I discovered that adding lemon juice to your drinking water helps to balance the pH in your blood. And I discovered that California Mission Figs are one of the most alkaline foods you can eat. So instead of snacking on potato chips, Payday candy bars (my absolute favorite), Cokes  (another of my absolute favorites), corn chips, and Cheetos, I began to snack on alkalizing foods such as figs, sunflower seeds, and nuts.
3. The third change I made, was to eat much more slowly. Most of my life I have eaten way too fast. (Remember the “Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics Course?” Well I used to joke that I had graduated from the “Evelyn Food Eating Dynamics Course” and could devour an eight course meal in 60 seconds!) As I began to think about the need to eat more slowly, I remembered a story I once read about King Hussein, the former King of Jordan. It was said that King Hussein made it a point to never finish his meal before any of his guests, because he considered it rude. I wanted to be like King Hussein. Getting into the habit of eating more slowly was made all the easier by my mother. We ate together every few weeks, and I believe she was the slowest eater I’ve ever known. She would turn an ordinary fast food lunch into a memorable, 90-minute “getting to know you” experience highlighted with story telling, laughter, interesting quips and observations, and wrapped up in a tidal wave of beautiful, positive and peaceful energy that filled the entire room. I decided to never finish my meal before she did. And I duplicated that resolve, from that point on, with every opportunity I had to dine in the presence of a guest. The improvement in my manners seemed to make my guest all the more special. And within a few weeks, I was feeling better, enjoying mealtimes like never before, feeling gratitude and appreciation for the food before me, and re-creating for myself much of the experience of peace and well-being I enjoyed when dining with my mother.
   To see my rant click here.To hide my rant click here.

   In addition, eating slowly helped me lose weight, helped me enjoy my food, greatly improved my digestion (since digestion starts in your mouth), reduced my stress, caused me to feel more like a human being – one with “class” — and less like an “animal.”

   Finally, it was my way of enforcing upon my “space” a visible and triumphant rejection of a chaotic, confusing, fast-paced and stressful lifestyle!
4. The fourth remedy I discovered was to eat my biggest meal midday. And, I began eating dinner earlier, around 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM.
5. My fifth solution was to avoid lying down for three hours after a meal. In fact, I discovered that it helps to try to get some light exercise after your evening meal.
6. Sixth, I eliminated stress. I tried not to eat unless I felt relaxed and at ease. Sometimes I would spend 15 minutes prior to eating, just relaxing and meditating. It was even more important to not be exposed to any sort of stress while I was eating. I needed  to be away from loud music, anxiety, confusion, rowdiness, hyperactivity, or provocative conversation for 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after any meal.
7. Lastly, I did not drink any liquid for 30 minutes before any meal, or during my meal, or for 30 minutes after any meal.The reason is elementary: anything liquid dilutes your stomach acid and interferes with proper digestion. (Ask the French.)

Now all of this may seem like a lot to swallow, so to speak. But I had to ask myself, “What price quality of life?” And I took comfort in the hope that some of these guidelines could be relaxed in the future, after I had gotten my GERD under control. That particularly pertains to diet, where I found myself eliminating many of my favorite foods. But GERD is tough. And I had to be tougher. I had to ask myself, “Do I really believe I will never adjust to eliminating GERD-unfriendly foods from my diet for just a few months? Just who is in control of my body anyway?” I believe that living in America, it is easy for me to become spoiled and hypersensitive, prone to self-pity, expecting to be pampered, and feeling “entitled.” I tell myself, “Get over it, toughen up (as my mother sometimes urged me to do) and start to feel good.” And it worked, big time.

I do not like prescription medications for the treatment of GERD.  These medications are treating the symptom, and only masking the problem, while you continue to perpetuate habits leading to poor health and malnutrition. What is really going on inside your body that you do not know about, as you continue adding to the bottom line of the pharmaceutical companies for the rest of your life, at the expense of your precious health? But the worst part of it is, the side effects caused by these medications. The side effects of just one of the popular prescription medications for GERD include diarrhea; headache; severe allergic reactions; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; bone pain; chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; chills; sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent stomach pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness; and vision changes. Let’s not even start on the dangers of drug interactions. But perhaps the worst is yet to come, because we simply do not know what other problems could be germinating inside your body over the years as a result of ingesting such harsh chemicals.

GERD has changed the way I eat, to some extent. But other things have changed my diet even more. I find it helps to give myself a “free” day, a day when I feel comfortable eating whatever I really like. The rest of the time, I find that a healthy diet actually alters my sense of taste, consequently expanding the array of nutritional whole food that I enjoy.

Food is a powerful medicine. It is probably the most powerful medicine you will ever take. When we learn to use food properly, we can create miracles.

Much of what you have read here can be found all over the Internet. But what is truly unique in this article, is this story … “My Story” … my experience, my hours of reading, research, and experimentation.  And best of all, the truly successful result! I’m happy to be able to share it with you.

I am thankful for my diagnosis of GERD!  It is no longer a part of my life, and I am so much healthier as a result.

Occasionally I digress to some of the less favorable lifestyle habits to which I was accustomed prior to my diagnosis of “incurable” GERD. But I always come back. And I always continue to feel good.

I have heard it said that the word “incurable” means “curable from within.” I believe you can cure your GERD by starting from “within” instead of from “without.”

Here is to your best quality of life and my wish that you will always feel good.  Your friend in health, James Meyer.