Raymond experienced heartburn years back but the
symptoms would go away with a gulp of antacids. In the last year, however, Raymond
would have great discomfort especially after eating. He would feel the food
coming back up and a sour taste in his mouth. Not just that, there was gas and bloating
too. Each day was a struggle as he would feel tired, not being able to sleep
well at night because of the reflux. Tests at the hospital finally showed that Raymond
was experiencing a chronic form of heartburn called gastroesophageal reflux
disease or GERD for short.
Have you heard about GERD? How it can affect us? When we eat
something, the food travels down a tube called the esophagus into the stomach.
At the bottom of the esophagus, before the opening to the stomach, lies a circular tube of
muscle known as the lower esophageal
sphincter (LES). When the LES becomes damaged or weakened, it fails to close all the
way, causing the acidic contents of the stomach to move back up (reflux) into
the esophagus. Stomach acid has a pH close to battery acid. When this acid contacts the
esophagus and sometimes rises up into the mouth, damage and pain ensues.
Acid reflux causes a burning pain in the chest commonly known as heartburn. When acid reflux symptoms happen more than twice a week
or is accompanied by difficulty in breathing or swallowing, it could denote a
more serious condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).The prevalence of GERD has been found to be rising
across Southeast Asia, numbers of which areup to 20%from data recorded after
2005.[i]
Many people with acid reflux or GERD believe that
their condition is caused by stress or from eating spicy or acidic food. While stress
is not a cause, it is one of the factors that can aggravate GERD. Scientists
have found that people are more sensitive to stomach acid when they are
stressed. Besides stress, obesity is also another driving factor of GERD
development. As weight accumulates in the belly area, it creates pressure on
the diaphragm and LES to cause further weakening of the LES muscles. With
Malaysia ranked as the fattest nation in Asia, it is not surprising that more
and more people are suffering GERD. Smoking is another risk factor for GERD as
the nicotine in cigarettes cause a relaxing effect on the LES, hence allowing
stomach acid to escape into the esophagus.
In an event titled “Oh My GERD” hosted by
NuvaPineA®, a panel of experts came together to discuss the severity of the
GERD epidemic, to help the public to recognise the signs and symptoms of GERD
and more importantly to manage the condition successfully. The panel comprised Dr.
Raja Affendi Raja Ali, Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist from
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; Dr.Vagif Soultanov, a Gastroenterologist and
Naturopathic Doctor from Melbourne, and Datin SwaneeTeh, Pharmacist and Natural
Therapies Advocate.
“GERD is a condition that worsens over time if
left untreated,” stated Dr.Affendi. “Because it’s a disease driven both by structural
and lifestyle factors, patients need to take proactive steps to manage it well.
Think of it this way, if you had a wound and did nothing about it, that wound
will fester to cause greater harm. Similarly, GERD needs to be addressed.”
GERDhas a significant
negative impact on patients’ quality of life.Imagine being constantly stressed about what you should eat or not
besides having to limit social dining engagements all in a bid not to trigger
GERD symptoms.A 2003 study showed that GERD patients have a poorer quality of
life in terms of mental health, social functioning and vitality when compared
to the general population.[ii]A separate study showed
that having GERD decreased work productivity, even more than someone having a
chronic condition like arthritis.[iii] In effect, GERD affects
the very core of those things human beings take greatest pleasure in– food
enjoyment, restful sleep, and meaningful work.
“Most people don’t expect the dramatic changes GERD
makes in their lifestyles. GERD literally sucks all the fun out of life. According to
clinical data, GERD can lead to
anxiety and depression and vice versa. GERD also affects productivity and sleep
which drains a person’s sense of purpose,” explained Dr.Soultanov on the topic
of how miserable it is living with the disease.
Heartburn is one of the hallmark symptoms of acid
reflux. The other symptoms of GERD include a sour-tasting fluid at the back of the
throat (stomach acid has asourish taste), difficulty swallowingor a sensation
that something is stuck in the chest or throat, gas build-up, and excessive
belching. Some patients may even experience a chronic dry cough or
breathlessness, which is triggered by the acid reflux. Should the acid rise up
further into the mouth, bad breath can develop as the acid kills off good
bacteria in the mouth. Tooth decay is another consequence of acid damaging
teeth and gums.
Conventionally,
heartburn and GERD are treated with medications that control acid. Routinely,
the use of acid-blocking drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is
initiated. Examples of PPI drugs include deslansoprazole, pantoprazole, omeprazole,
and esomeprazole. PPIs are potent stomach acid suppressants. They are popular choices to
help patients deal with symptoms as they work fast.
However, the symptoms of GERD are
sometimes impossible to control, even with the most powerful PPI drugs. Some
studies have already demonstrated that up to 40% of patients with heartburn
reported either a partial or complete lack of response to PPIs. Not just that, acid blockers are not meant to be used for the long-term because of
adverse effects, the result of compromised digestion and immune protection when
acid production is suppressed over time.
Current guidelines recommend
that PPIs be used for only 4 - 6 weeks after which they should be withdrawn or
stepped down to less-potent therapy.[iv]In reality
however, patients continue their PPIs indefinitely as symptoms tends to recur.
GERD is not a simple condition to manage. As a
naturopathic doctor as well as a researcher, Dr.Soultanov was at hand to share
the results from a recent clinical study done on a pine conifer green needle
extract called Bioeffective® A and its effects on gastrointestinal health and
GERD.
“We know that Bioeffective® A possesscellular
healing properties. In this study, we wanted to see the extent of its effects
amongst patients with pre-cancerous stomach conditions who were also
experiencing GERD. The administration of Bioeffective® A resulted in a 92% improvement
in dyspeptic symptoms (GERD), including improvement in symptoms such as
gastritis, gas and bowel disorders. Not only that, patients also regained
normality of stomach function besides a reversal in pre-cancerous lesions,”
shared Dr. Soultanov.
“Instead of sitting around worrying more and more
about GERD, Bioeffective® A as a natural medicine,can offer patients added
arsenal to deal better with their condition.By helping tostrengthen
damaged or weakened esophageal valves, as well as to support the normalisation
of digestive juices in the stomach, Bioeffective® A will help get you, your normal tummy back,” said
DatinSwaneeTeh.
The session was also attended by former Prime
Minister Tun Dato’ Sri Haji Abdullah bin Haji Badawi who shared a few words on
how Bioeffective® A has helped improve his health. “At this golden age, all I
can hope for is to be as healthy as possible. I have been taking Bioeffective®
A for almost 10 years nowfor my defences and anti-aging needs. It is a very
safe natural medicine and my doctors will affirm that my tummy, liver and
kidneys are all in excellent condition. I’m glad to have found such a safe and
reliable friend in health,” he said.
When one understands the crushing grip GERD has
on the many things we enjoy in life, it’s difficult not to be disheartened.
However, the combined knowledge from both mainstream and naturopathic medicine
can now offer patients a more holistic way of managing their condition
successfully.
Raymond discovered Bioeffective® A online after surfing
the net one night when he couldn’t sleep. Raymond went on a dose of 320mg three
times a day as advised by his pharmacist. Over the weeks, his GERD symptoms
gradually improved. He noted how he was able to tolerate his foods so much better
without those familiar gas and reflux symptoms. Raymond has arrived at a point
where he can actually plan a “makan get-together” without a care in the world.
For more information please call Nuvanta’s Nuvaceuticals®
division,
Contact number : 03-56363758
Email : pharmacist@nuvanta.com.
[i]Garrido-Maraver J, Cordero MD, Oropesa-Ávila
M, et al. Coenzyme Q10 Therapy. Molecular Syndromology. 2014;5(3-4):187-197
