Reflux and Your Heart
Health Alert Dr Bruce West MD Vol 24 Issue 5
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Whenever anyone tells me that they have reflux, I immediately want to perform the Zypan Test. This test determines if you have low or inadequate stomach acid. The Zypan test is needed whether you also have ulcers, an ulcerated esophagus, or Barrett's esophagus. So while most other doctors are determining which drug to prescribe to sop up your stomach acid, I am looking to supplement your stomach acid! Why?
Low stomach acid causes incomplete digestion because of its low supply The remainder of an undigested meal will naturally ferment. This fermenting process produces lots of gas and fermentation acids. This remaining mash in the stomach refluxes up into the esophagus as the gas tries to rise. And it can be this mash that bums the stomach and esophagus. |
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With adequate stomach acid, your entire meal is digested, with no remnants of the meal left to ferment. End of the problem. Hence, everyone with reflux must be tested for inadequate stomach acid. The Zypan Test can do this. And when Zypan improves digestion, you know for sure that you have been suffering all along from insufficient stomach acid.
Once it's determined that you have low stomach acid, take 1-3 DigestTract capsules per meal to supply the needed acid and rebuild your own acid stores.
Reflux produced by inadequate stomach acid harms not only the stomach and esophagus. Poor digestion of this type causes all kinds of problems, from “leaky gut syndrome" to weak fingernails. In fact, it can affect all the cells in the body. But the mechanics of reflux puts pressure on the diaphragm and, in particular, the muscular ring in the diaphragm called the hiatus. This is where the esophagus pierces through the diaphragm and enters the stomach.
Once it's determined that you have low stomach acid, take 1-3 DigestTract capsules per meal to supply the needed acid and rebuild your own acid stores.
Reflux produced by inadequate stomach acid harms not only the stomach and esophagus. Poor digestion of this type causes all kinds of problems, from “leaky gut syndrome" to weak fingernails. In fact, it can affect all the cells in the body. But the mechanics of reflux puts pressure on the diaphragm and, in particular, the muscular ring in the diaphragm called the hiatus. This is where the esophagus pierces through the diaphragm and enters the stomach.
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Heart Problems Caused by Reflux With constant reflux gas pressure against the diaphragm, it is not uncommon for the vagus nerve to become irritated. The vagus nerve is involved in heartbeat. And with constant reflux pressure against the diaphragm, a portion of the stomach can be pushed up into the chest cavity. There the undigested stomach mash, no longer held down in place by the hiatus of the diaphragm, has free access to bum the esophagus. |
But perhaps even more important, the presence of a portion of the stomach in the chest cavity can put the heart out of position (off its natural axis). And this pressure can cause the heart to react abnormally with all kinds of abnormal beats, flip flops, and even pain. This can lead to diagnoses that can range from premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), to cardiac arrhythmias, to skipped beats, to fibrillations, and more.
But in many cases, there is nothing wrong with the heart. There is just insufficient stomach acid that starts a cascade of events that ends up in abnormal heart function. This of course is made worse with antacids. And when this underlying cause is overlooked (which is almost always), you end up being drugged for a heart condition that does not really exist. And that can disable, weaken, harm, and debilitate you.
Hiatal Hernias
So remember what Dr. West says: If you have reflux, chances are good that you have inadequate stomach acid. If your reflux is long-standing or severe, you may even have a hiatal hernia. This is where the diaphragm is stretched, tom or damaged, allowing your stomach access to your chest cavity. In these cases, in addition to the Zypan Test, you will need to treat and correct your hiatal hernia.
Correcting a hiatal hernia can be done at home or with the help of a special doctor. It is done without drugs or surgery. And relief can be great.
But in many cases, there is nothing wrong with the heart. There is just insufficient stomach acid that starts a cascade of events that ends up in abnormal heart function. This of course is made worse with antacids. And when this underlying cause is overlooked (which is almost always), you end up being drugged for a heart condition that does not really exist. And that can disable, weaken, harm, and debilitate you.
Hiatal Hernias
So remember what Dr. West says: If you have reflux, chances are good that you have inadequate stomach acid. If your reflux is long-standing or severe, you may even have a hiatal hernia. This is where the diaphragm is stretched, tom or damaged, allowing your stomach access to your chest cavity. In these cases, in addition to the Zypan Test, you will need to treat and correct your hiatal hernia.
Correcting a hiatal hernia can be done at home or with the help of a special doctor. It is done without drugs or surgery. And relief can be great.