Managing Heartburn & GERD By Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. - Posted Thu, Sep 28, 2006, 9:47 am PDT

1. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Sep 29, 2006, 6:59 am PDT

Do the exact OPPOSITE of what Joy recommends on one item above and you will get relief in just a few days without drugs. You should INCREASE, rather than decrease, the amount of fat in your diet from whole fat dairy products, fatty cuts of beef, butter, cream, cheese, nuts, whole eggs, and oils ( healthy oils like fish oils, unrefined coconut oil, and extra virgin olive oil). Fried foods should be decreased especially if they are fried in unhealthy vegetable oils like corn, soy, cottonseed, or canola. Also, VERY IMPORTANT, decrease the amount of carbohydrates in your diet to about 20 grams a day. Later, after your GERD symptoms are gone, you can increase your carbohydrate intake to about 80 grams a day. This low-carbohydrate approach is very effective and relief is usually in just a few days.

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2. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Sep 29, 2006, 7:18 am PDT

I agree. Do the opposite of what Joy says to do. I have GERD and I know for a fact that if you increase your fats the GERD will go away. I've done Atkins, which is high fat. I don't have GERD anymore. I don't have to take any meds at all.

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3. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Sep 29, 2006, 2:46 pm PDT

I agree with Joy-my symptoms get much worse when I eat a high fat meal. Plus, my doctor told me exactly what Joy said.... That too much fat can exacerbate symptoms.

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4. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Sep 29, 2006, 3:05 pm PDT

I agree with Joy-my symptoms get much worse when I eat a high fat meal. Plus, my doctor told me exactly what Joy said.... That too much fat can exacerbate symptoms.

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5. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Sep 29, 2006, 4:52 pm PDT

I have Gerd and now I am getting a feeling that my food is stuck. It is a real pain.

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6. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 8:41 am PDT

Increased fats have helped me feel better but going on the gluten free diet has cured me of all of the acid reflux symptoms.

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7. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Sep 30, 2006, 5:23 pm PDT

Nuts make my GERD worse as well as peanut butter! I am also intolerant to beef. I think with this condition you have to eat what YOU can tolerate. I dont have problems with some foods that are on the list and have issues with other that arent on it. I have found that if I increase my protein intake(fish chicken, turkey, limit beef) and lower my carbs and sugars I have less episodes. I have also noticed how stress and weight play a major factor in this condition. Since I have dropped 15 pounds, cut soda out completely and limit my sweets, I have less problems.

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8. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Oct 01, 2006, 9:46 pm PDT

I don't get #1's comments suggesting you increase your fat intake from whole dairy products, fatty beef,etc.What is he/she thinking? First & foremost, listen to your doctor! They didn't go to school for a bazillion years for nothing.Also, listen to your body. It usually tells you when something is amiss. I find,that if I have an extremely tart Margarita,I always will experience indigestion and/or heartburn. Their are definietly trigger foods that each of us afflicted by GERD need to avoid & they vary from person to person. Good luck!

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9. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Oct 02, 2006, 5:40 am PDT

great now what amm i suppose to believe . do i take her advice on do tge opposite. it looks like my husband will just have to keep on living in pain witj his heartburn and make sure we have plenty of tuns around for know. thanks for nothing

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10. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Oct 02, 2006, 8:57 pm PDT

I was diagnosed with GERD about 3 years ago and I took acidphex for a few months. I don't like taking meds so I quit taking the meds and started a good diet and exercise regimen. I have not had any major symptoms since. I have lost weight, drink plenty of water, and the most important thing is cardio exercise. I prefer running because it seems to work better for my GERD. the bouncing up and down helps greatly in the digestion of my food. I also drink 7-up or ginger ale with my meals because it is caffene free and the carbonation makes me belch which helps the food to be pushed down easier. I know soda is not good for you but you can consume most anything in moderation. This works for me. Most of my problems come when I over indulge in foods that are on the list. All which I love. With discipline and a life style change, I am symptom free and medication free at 42 years old. Don't take any meds for this condition unless you are too far gone and absolutely have too. Most meds prescibed by doctors are just a scam between them and the drug companies. The more drugs they prescibe the more money they make. This keep you dependent on the drug and keep you going back to the doctor to pay more money for something that you can control yourself if you would only practice a complete life style change. Drug companies and doctors know people are generally lazy when it comes to diet and exercise and that is how they stay rich, because they capitlize on your weakness. I know this may offend some but the truth will always set you free. So get healthy through your own research and efforts. If you leave this important aspect of your life up to some one else then you will get what you pay for!

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11. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Oct 02, 2006, 9:35 pm PDT

Several sources I have read mention that the diminished secretion of gastric juices as well as other glandular functions of the body diminish as one gets older, [and that sounds reasonable ]can be helped by diluting apple cider vinegar [1T] to 8oz. water will help your digestion. Take in the morning.

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12. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Oct 04, 2006, 6:35 pm PDT

very good information, i have acid reflux and its bad, somtimes it feel as if im having a hearth attack, true oll those food , can make worse tanks for imfo

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13. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Oct 04, 2006, 6:43 pm PDT

Everyone of you who have GERD or acid reflux should insist on being tested for Celiac Disease. GERD and acid reflux are often the first sign of Celiac. As a leader of a Celiac support group of 45 I have found that 42 had GERD as their first and sometimes only symptom of Celiac. Celiac affects over 3 million Americans and less than 90,000 are diagnosed. It's the 3rd most underdiagnosed disease in America. Doctors only receive 30 minutes of training on Celiac in their entire bizillon years of training so no matter how long a doctor goes to school they don't know everything. If a locarb diet works to releave your symptoms you definitely are Celiac. Get tested. You will have to insist on the tests because they bizillion years of training didn't train the doctor to know enough to care about this disease. Read Wheat Free Worry Free by Donna Korn for the specific tests needed and how to handle a reluctent doc. Once on a gluten-free diet your GERD will go away.

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14. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Oct 10, 2006, 8:27 am PDT

I HAVE HAD GERD FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS NOW. I HAVE BEEN ON EVERY MED ALSO NAUSEA MEDS THAT ARE FOR CANCER PATIENTS ZOFRAN. IM NOT OVER WEIGHT AND I TRY TO WATCH MY DIET. I DONT SMOKE. THE MAIN PROBLEM I HAVE IS I THROW UP ACID IN THE MORNINGS, SOMETIMJES THE THROWING UP WAKES ME UP AND THIS JUST RUINS MY DAY I CANT WORK B/C I CONTINUE THROWING UP ALL DAY SOMETIMES THIS WILL LAST UP TO 2 DAYS I LOSE WEIGHT MY HAIR. CAN ANYONE SUGEST SOMETHING.

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15. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Oct 10, 2006, 8:56 am PDT

I HAVE HAD GERD FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS NOW. I HAVE BEEN ON EVERY MED ALSO NAUSEA MEDS THAT ARE FOR CANCER PATIENTS ZOFRAN. IM NOT OVER WEIGHT AND I TRY TO WATCH MY DIET. I DONT SMOKE. THE MAIN PROBLEM I HAVE IS I THROW UP ACID IN THE MORNINGS, SOMETIMJES THE THROWING UP WAKES ME UP AND THIS JUST RUINS MY DAY I CANT WORK B/C I CONTINUE THROWING UP ALL DAY SOMETIMES THIS WILL LAST UP TO 2 DAYS I LOSE WEIGHT MY HAIR. CAN ANYONE SUGEST SOMETHING.

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