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ISBN: 9781543932447
GERD
GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE
If youre here, you may already be aware that you have GERD. Or, you may just be worried that the indigestion you sometimes suffer with (or ALWAYS suffer with) is more than just a little annoyance.
Let me be honest from moment one: Youre RIGHT, this is NOT just an annoyance.
If left untreated, acid reflux and heartburn can lead to more than one very serious condition, including Barretts esophagus (which is a precursor to cancer). This condition can also show up in other ways too, like a hoarse voice or sore throat in the mornings, or a cough or asthma or a bitter taste in your mouth, or it can be that traditional, more obvious burning in your stomach
ALL of these symptoms, and the impact they have on millions of people around the world, are what drove me to write my book on GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease G-E-R-D.
GERD occurs when stomach acid flows back into the tube that connects your mouth and stomach the esophagus. This backwash aka acid refluxcan irritate the lining of your esophagus. Many people experience acid reflux from time to time.
And it is possible that what youre dealing with is NOT GERDbut I want you to understand and protect yourself.
What are things you just dont say yes to anymore because youre afraid youre going to be derailed by stomach issues and your digestive health?
Think about how many things in your life you are missing out on. What is that costing you?
This book is your easy entry point to what GERD is, and is notand what to DO to stop it and potentially even reverse some of the damage that may have already happened.
This is your starting point.
Start wherever you are. Get a little healthier every day and life is better for YOU and for those around you.
Namaste,
Partha Nandi MD FACP
About Dr. Nandi
Partha Nandi MD FACP is a practicing physician, international best-selling author and host of the Emmy award-winning medical lifestyle talk show, The Dr.
Nandi Show, which airs weekdays in syndication in over 90 million homes in the US and 90 countries. Dr. Nandi travels the globe speaking on How To Be Your Own #HealthHero which includes his no nonsense approach to food & fitness, how he combines Eastern & Western philosophies and the science behind the amazing health benefits of spirituality, mindfulness and community.
I am Dr. Partha Nandi, a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist, and I have been privileged to inspire 50 million people to become their own Health Hero.
This book is loaded with the RIGHT information and REAL tools to add years to your life AND life to your years by healing a very severe digestive issue known as GERD.
EXCLUSIVE BONUS
RECEIVE YOUR FULL GRAPHIC RICH VERSION OF BEATING GERD NATURALLY
go to => www.askdrnandi.com/GERDBookBonuses
Quiz
DO YOU HAVE GERD?
Do you have heartburn more than two times a week?
Do you have a chronic dry cough?
Do you ever feel like food gets stuck on its way down like you have a lump in your throat?
Do you sometimes feel nauseated but dont know why?
Do you belch or burp a lot?
Do you feel like you have to clear your throat often?
Do you ever feel like food or liquid is coming back up into your mouth?
Do you often have a sour or bitter taste in your mouth?
When you wake up in the morning, do you feel hoarse?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a potentially serious disease called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Chapter 1
WHAT IS GERD?
Is it hard for you to enjoy your meals because youre concerned that whatever you eat will give you heartburn?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, better known as GERD or acid reflux, is a common condition that occurs when the muscle at the base of the esophagus doesnt close properly. When this musclecalled the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)weakens or relaxes, it allows harsh stomach acids to rise up into the esophagus, causing a number of painful, embarrassing, or annoying symptoms.
Thats what prompted Juanita to come to my office several years ago. Shed been suffering with intense heartburn for quite a while. The burning sensation in her chest had gotten so bad, it woke her up several times a night. The lack of sleep meant she had to drag herself out of bed in the mornings, and she felt tired all day long. It had already started affecting her work and her home.
Its taking over my life, Juanita said of her heartburn. As I assessed Juanita, I quickly saw that she was significantly overweight. We talked about her eating habits, and she mentioned that she loved cola products. When I asked her how much soda she drank per day, she sheepishly told me she usually downed five cans of cola every day.
Based on her severe symptoms, I recommended an endoscopy for Juanita. In this common procedure, which is often performed under anesthesia, I placed a small fiber-optic tube into Juanitas mouth, down her throat, and into her esophagus, which some people call the food tube. Thanks to a camera attached to the end of the flexible fiber-optic tube, I could see the inside of Juanitas esophagus on a video screen. It didnt look good.
Juanita had ulcerations on her esophagus. No wonder she was in so much pain! I diagnosed her with gastroesophageal reflux disease, better known as GERD or acid reflux. I placed her on some medications to heal the damage and gave her a simple eating plan to follow. I had to break some tough news to her. She was going to have to cut out the sodas. I explained that the carbonation, caffeine, and acidic contents of her fizzy drinks were all making her condition worse. She was afraid it would be too hard for her to give up her soda habit, but I assured her I had faith in her and suggested that she gradually decrease her intake over several weeks. And I reminded her that she needed to be a #HealthHero and make health her number one priority.
Two months later, Juanita returned for a follow-up visit. She told me she felt like a million bucksthe heartburn was gone, and she had lost 10 pounds. On top of that, she was sleeping better and had more energy, which helped improve things at work and at home. She admitted that the first week while reducing her intake was challenging, but after a few weeks, she didnt miss the cola so much. She could now enjoy an occasional soda rather than the five per day she had been drinking before. Over time, I lowered Juanitas medication dosage until she was taking the lowest dosage possible.
She is a great example of how being a #HealthHero can help you take charge of GERD. Just one small change in her life led to huge results. Now she can live the life she wants.
Juanita isnt alone. In fact, shes just one of an estimated 60 million people in the U.S. who suffer from heartburn and one of about 20 percent of Americans who are affected by GERD. As a gastroenterologist, Ive treated thousands of people for this condition, and I would say there are probably an additional 20 million Americans who have the disease but dont know it. You may be one of them.