Alternative medicine for GERD after cholecystectomy

Alternative medicine for GERD after cholecystectomy

Nearly 700,000 Americans lose their gallbladder each year. According to medical records, 20% of them may experience digestive problems, including abdominal pain, heartburn, belching, nausea, bloating, bloating, constipation and biliary diarrhea. The medical name for this condition is postcholecystectomy syndrome. Surgical removal of the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy.

People without a gallbladder typically experience mild or severe heartburn, a persistent and burning sensation in the throat, and regurgitation of food or irritated liquids. In the worst case, belching occurs when the corrosive contents of the stomach fill the throat in the evening. This is diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

These patients are prescribed medications to suppress stomach acid, but these medications do not help everyone. Doctors began to recognize the type of reflux: acid reflux or bile reflux. 50-70% of persistent GERD cases can be caused by bile reflux.

Bile reflux is nothing new. For over a hundred years, surgeons have observed bile in the stomachs of patients with ulcers. Nowadays, bile is reported during gastroscopy in patients with ulcers, chronic inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is a dangerous precancerous complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Medical research shows that bile reflux is often seen in the stomach of patients without a gallbladder.

What moves bile into the stomach? If we understand this, we can explore the path to healing bile reflux and its consequences.

More specifically, bile reflux is the reflux of the mixture of pancreatic juice and bile. It is known that the liver produces and releases bile and the pancreas produces pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes. It is important to understand that the bile and pancreatic juice in the human body are remarkably alkaline solutions under normal conditions. Good digestion depends primarily on the alkalinity of these fluids. In contrast, acidic changes in bile and pancreatic juice lead to digestive problems.

Bile is a balanced, alkaline solution consisting of water, lecithin, cholesterol, bicarbonate, minerals, trace elements, bile pigments, bile acids and bile salts. Acidic changes in bile destroy this gentle balance and lead to the precipitation of calcium, bile pigment and cholesterol; hence gallbladder stones appear.

If the bile becomes acidic, more bile acids are precipitated in the bile. Bile acids are very “aggressive” substances that make acidic bile, a powerful cleansing agent, extremely caustic and irritable. Acid bile wears away and irritates surrounding tissue such as ducts and sphincters. As a result, this causes hard, uneven smooth muscle contractions; Therefore, bile flows incorrectly, creating bile reflux – “traffic in the wrong direction.”

When aggressive, acidic bile collects and concentrates in the gallbladder for an extended period of time, irritation and inflammation can occur. On the other hand, the acidic, “aggressive” liver bile without a gallbladder constantly irritates the sphincter of the bile ducts of Oddi and the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Aggressive, acidic bile causes jerky contractions of the duodenal walls. It can throw bile into the stomach or even the esophagus, causing bile reflux with constant burning, heartburn, pain, nausea and vomiting.

Another explanation for bile reflux is sphincter-Oddi dysfunction. Spasms of this valve cause the increase in pressure in the common bile duct with pain and its dilatation. Cramps can also push bile into the pancreas, causing pancreatitis.

This muscle valve sphincter of Oddi can open at the wrong time, e.g. B. when the duodenum no longer contains food. Acid liver bile irritates the empty duodenal wall and pushes the “aggressive” bile up into the stomach. Doctors believe that the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is the culprit for several liver, gallbladder and pancreas problems and is a common cause of chronic pain after gallbladder removal.

It is known that liver bile serves as a vehicle to excrete the toxic, fat-soluble substances from the human body. These fat-soluble substances include bile pigments, medications, cholesterol, alcohol, heavy metals and toxic chemicals. These toxic substances in high quantities can cause additional spasms of the sphincter of Oddi.

Hepatitis, constipation, inflammation, fatty liver disease, infection and inflammation of the gallbladder, increased body acid levels, dehydration, poor eating habits and alcohol consumption can cause bile to become thick and acidic. It is difficult for this thickened and acidic bile to travel through the ducts and sphincter of Oddi.

Accordingly, the rationale for treatment must focus on the root of the biochemical and biomechanical problems and changes in the bile and pancreatic juice. These problems start with the acidity of the entire body.

The body attempts to eliminate acidic materials through body fluids. You don't need sophisticated equipment to detect acid levels. All that is needed is litmus paper, available at health food stores. Checking the pH of saliva and urine with litmus paper at home morning and evening can indicate acidic conditions, especially if the pH of saliva and urine is repeatedly below 6.6.

Can we naturally bring acidic bile and pancreatic juices to normal, slightly alkaline levels?

In my articles, I explain beforehand how the minerals and bicarbonates from food and water and supplementation with magnesium and potassium can neutralize the acidity of the body.

For these healing reasons, European doctors have used healing mineral water for many centuries. There are many healing mineral baths throughout Europe. The mineral water from the thermal springs in the small Czech town of Karlovy Vary is the most medically researched. Since the 16th century, European doctors have been recommending that their patients with liver and digestive disorders drink Carlsbad mineral water.

In the spa town of Karlovy Vary, spring water has been evaporated into mineral salt for over 200 years. People who could not drink water from the thermal springs used healing mineral water at home, prepared by dissolving real Karlovy Vary thermal salt in plain water. Czech doctors believe that dissolving this salt in water at home creates a mineral water with similar healing effects.

European doctors confirmed that drinking Karlovy Vary medicinal mineral water reduces the “aggressive” and acidic levels of bile and pancreatic juice. In addition, this healing mineral water increases the liquidity of bile and pancreas to facilitate their movement through the bile ducts and the sphincter of Oddi.

Drinking healing Carlsbad mineral water promotes proper digestion, reduces gas and bloating, and relieves pain and cramps. It also reduces heartburn and burning sensations. Curing postcholecystectomy syndrome with this healing mineral water has been proven for hundreds of years.

In addition to magnesium and potassium supplements and drinking healing mineral water made from real Carlsbad thermal salt, other bile reflux supplements include enzymes, probiotics, zinc carnosine and DGL.

Undoubtedly, food is a crucial, safe and cheap medicine for bile reflux. Foods must be alkaline forming and are packed with natural digestive enzymes. Various raw, freshly prepared vegetable mixes or juices are excellent examples of alkaline foods.

Patients with biliary-pancreatic reflux may suffer from other conditions such as Candida yeast overgrowth and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). It can occur after taking antibiotics, some medications, consuming sugar, and drinking soda and alcohol. These growths cause constant fermentation in the intestines and produce gases such as hydrogen or methane. These gases can open the muscular valve (lower esophageal sphincter - LES) between the stomach and esophagus and move stomach contents upward with intense burning and heartburn.

Complete irradiation of the Candida yeast is not possible because it is an integral part of the human intestinal flora. Problems start with Candida yeast overgrowth. Diet, quality probiotics, herbs, supplements, healing mineral water, and colon hydrotherapy can help keep Candida yeast in balance.

The LES is usually resilient. For example, when a healthy, experienced yoga person stands upside down, the lower esophageal sphincter retains stomach contents and protects the esophagus from injury.

When the pressure in the stomach increases, the LES opens at inappropriate times. The muscular valve cannot hold the increased pressure in the stomach. Consequently, it will be unblocked. Large meals or lying down after large meals or wearing tight-fitting clothing and belts can increase pressure in the stomach. Unhealthy food combinations like proteins, starches and sugar together can also cause bloating and heartburn.

What else can reduce bile reflux?

Herbal medicine is the oldest method of relieving digestive problems. Some herbs increase the amount of bile and aid in its natural elimination, reducing heartburn, abdominal cramps, and pain. Experienced naturopaths can customize herbal remedies for each digestive problem.

I personally use acupuncture and gentle abdominal massage and have seen positive results for heartburn after gallbladder removal.

If a patient suffers from stomach acid suppression and cannot find relief, they are at high risk of bile reflux. At the moment, bile reflux is difficult to treat. Therefore, non-drug, non-knife, natural approaches may be helpful. A licensed, experienced health care practitioner should be researched and consulted.

If bile reflux is not controlled, it can lead to serious health problems such as ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, and Barrett's esophagus; also a potential precursor to esophageal cancer.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for diagnosis and treatment or advice from a qualified, licensed professional.