Indigestion |
Indigestion an Acupuncture
Indigestion may be caused by a variety of factors, but most commonly results from eating too much, eating during stressful situations and a high-fat diet. A symptom rather than a disease, indigestion may also be caused by underlying imbalances within the body. It is estimated that approximately 62 million Americans experience digestive disorders on a regular basis.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) utilizes acupuncture and moxibustion (burning mugwort or other medicinal herbs on selected acupuncture points) for the treatment of indigestion. Moxibustion acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, tonifies imbalances and is effective in the treatment of many gastrointestinal conditions. Some causes of indigestion such as hiatus hernia and stress are especially amenable to acupuncture treatment. Patients often experience long-term relief of their symptoms with acupuncture, as well as improved energy, digestion and decreased stress. Acupuncture can also be used in conjunction with conventional therapies without negative interactions.
Acupuncture therapy for indigestion selects certain points on the body that speed up metabolism, regulate digestive processes, increase gastrointestinal muscle contraction and relaxation, and reduce gastric acid secretion. For patients with indigestion, acupuncture restores stomach acidity to normal levels and regulates small and large intestine function. Changes in lifestyle factors and diet modification are often integrated into the acupuncture course of treatment in order to correct dietary imbalances and regulate digestion.
In conjunction with Chinese herbal medicine and stress reduction techniques, acupuncture is beneficial in treating general gastrointestinal symptoms, nourishes related organs and contributes to medication-free digestive system health maintenance. The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for digestive imbalance. For more information about acupuncture for the treatment of indigestion as well as other digestive disorders
Chronic gastritis Introduction:
Chronic gastritis refers to various chronic inflammation of gastric mucus due to different pathogenic factors. According to the pathological changes, chronic gastritis can be divided into superficial, atrophic and hypertrophic types of gastritis. The clinical manifestations are atypical. The main symptoms are recurrent fullness, oppression and pain in the middle and upper abdomen as well as anorexia, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting and belching. This disease is similar to epigastralgia and abdominal fullness in TCM. Chronic gastritis is usually caused by emotional upsets, improper diet, overstrain and weakness due to prolonged disease that lead to depression of liver and qi stagnation, cold in middle energizer and insufficiency of stomach yin; or by involvement of the collaterals in prolonged disease and stagnation of blood in the collaterals.
Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Gao X, et al. Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450008, China.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibustion in treating chronic atrophic gastritis. METHODS: Patients who met the criteria were randomly divided into the treatment groups consisting of the acupuncture group (30 cases) and the acupuncture-moxibustion group (30 cases), and the control group (28 cases). After two months of treatment, observed were safety and the curative effects, through general physical check ups, routine examinations of blood, urine and feces, and symptoms, pathology and gastrin before, during and after the treatment. RESULTS: (1) The treatment groups showed significant superiorities in the improvement of symptoms, with the acupuncture-moxibustion group showing the best therapeutic effects. (2) The acupuncture-moxibustion group showed marked differences before and after the treatment in the improvement of glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia, with a total effective rate of 66.67%. (3) After the treatment, the three groups all showed marked improvement in the level of serum gastrin, with the acupuncture-moxibustion group showing the best effects. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion have definite therapeutic effects for chronic atrophic gastritis, especially in improving the symptoms. Acupuncture or acupuncture combined with moxibustion can provide possibilities in reversing the pathologic changes of glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia for patients with chronic atrophic gastritis. Acupuncture-moxibustion is really an effective and safe therapy for chronic atrophic gastritis.
J Tradit Chin Med. 2007 Jun; 27(2):87-91.
Source PubMed
Heartburn
Heartburn is a major symptom of a medical condition called Gastroesophygeal Reflex disorder (GERD). More than 54 million adults in America are suffering from this frequent condition, just like you. (Based on the survey from the National Heartburn Alliance in 2003).
Heartburn is a burning sensation which radiates from the mid to upper chest, caused by acidic stomach contents which irritate the unprotected lining of the esophagus.It feels like a three-alarm fire under your ribcage or at the top of your chest. Maybe you just overindulged in a gourmet meal or knocked down a chili dog with the works. You belch; maybe drink a little water, but the fire burns on. That after-dinner hell you’re experiencing is most likely heartburn.
What causes heartburn is actually a muscle in your lower esophagus falling down on the job. That muscle, your esophageal sphincter, usually opens to let food you’ve eaten pass to your stomach, then closes to prevent food and stomach acid from flowing back upward. However, in the case of heartburn, or esophageal reflux, the sphincter hasn’t closed properly, allowing the contents of your stomach to irritate your esophagus causing that burning sensation.
There are a number of causes of heartburn, including eating the wrong foods, stress, overeating, and obesity. In addition, the esophageal sphincter tends to get weaker with age, so just being on the wrong side of 40 can make you more prone to episodes of heartburn.
In Chinese medicine, heartburn is frequently caused by damage from emotions (stress and anger!), erratic or unhealthy eating or drinking, and overall depletion due to aging. In most cases, a Chinese diagnosis of a Liver/Spleen disharmony will be evident.
The Liver is the organ system that is responsible for the smooth and uninhibited movement of everything in your body. However, the Liver system is that which is most damaged by anger, stress, and unfulfilled desires. Damage to the Liver causes stagnation, and almost always overflows and affects digestion; in this case causing heartburn.
In healthy people, the lower end of the esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) normally stays closed, preventing acidic fluid in the stomach from backing up into the esophagus every time the stomach contracts. In fact, the lower esophageal sphincter is not a distinct muscular valve but rather an area of relatively high pressure. The high pressure keeps the esophagus closed off from the stomach and helps prevent stomach acid and food from traveling back up the esophagus. When the esophagus fails to function properly, the stomach acid backs up and heartburn occurs.Gerd Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly and stomach contents leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach. The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. The fluid may even be tasted in the back of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion. Occasional heartburn is common but does not necessarily mean one has GERD. Heartburn that occurs more than twice a week may be considered GERD, and it can eventually lead to more serious health problems.What are the symptoms of GERD?
The main symptoms are persistent heartburn and acid regurgitation. Some people have GERD without heartburn. Instead, they experience pain in the chest, hoarseness in the morning, or trouble swallowing. You may feel like you have food stuck in your throat or like you are choking or your throat is tight. GERD can also cause a dry cough and bad breath.
Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine; the liver, gallbladder, spleen and pancreas work together to help the stomach’s digestion. Once these organs function improperly, excessive stomach acid travels up to the esophagus and causes heartburn.
What conditions contribute to heartburn?
Anything that decreases the lower esophageal pressure or irritates the esophagus might contribute to heartburn.
Hiatal Hernia: A hiatal hernia is an anatomical abnormality in which part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm and up into the chest. This condition often occurs during pregnancy and if one is overweight.
Improper Diet: Consumption of fatty and spicy foods. Caffeine, chocolate, tomatoes and peppermint may also contribute to heartburn.
Eating late and overeating
Stressful lifestyles
Overweight
Tobacco
Pregnancy
Related symptoms & complications:
Other symptoms of heartburn may include sore throat, voice change, nausea, anxiety, burning pain when swallowing, a bitter or sour taste in your mouth, coughing and respiratory conditions such as, asthma, pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. If heartburn reoccurs frequently, it may cause complications in the esophagus, such as ulceration and Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-cancer lining of the esophagus. The inflammation of the esophagus may cause pain and bleeding during swallowing.
Ways to treat Heartburn:
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been treating heartburn effectively for thousands of years. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help not only reduce the symptoms of heartburn, but more important to help recover from the cause of G.E.R.D. by adjusting the esophageal pressure, lowering gastric acid, balancing the functions of the digestive organs.
Additionally, we advise you to incorporate the following steps in the treatment plan.
Stress Management: Tai Chi, Qigong, Meditation and deep breathing techniques.
Diet: Avoid chocolate, tomato, peppermint, coffee, acidic fruit juices, sour, hot spicy, fatty and fried foods and alcohol.
Change your eating habits: Eat slowly and chew well. Avoid eating big meals. Don’t over eat, only allow your stomach to be moderately full. Eat 5-6 small meals daily. Eat your dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime. Sit down in an upright chair and rest 20-30 minutes after eating prior to any activity.
Weight Control: Please talk with your practitioner about our weight control program.
Stop Smoking: Please consult with you practitioner about how acupuncture and Chinese herbs, can help with a smoking cessation program.
Posture: When sleeping, elevate your upper body by 5 - 6 inches or try sleeping on your left side. Avoid bending from the waist or stooping just after meals.
Clothing: Avoid tight belts, clothing and bras that increase pressure on your stomach and chest.
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Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach gets pushed up into the chest cavity sometimes causing painful bouts of acid reflux. The stomach is held in place by the diaphragm (a sheet of smooth muscle tissue which separates the lungs from the stomach.) There is a small hole in the center of the diaphragm which allows the esophagus to connect to the stomach pouch. This hole is called the hiatus. If the hiatus becomes enlarged it can begin to slip up along the esophagus causing the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) to loosen. When this loosening occurs, acid can splash back up into the esophagus causing it to burn which is called acid reflux, or heartburn.
There are three kinds of hiatal hernias:
Sliding Hiatal Hernia: When the stomach is allowed to shift up and down, sideways or outward. This is the most common kind and normally has no symptoms.
Fixed Hiatal Hernia: The stomach gets pushed into the chest and becomes stuck there. This type can cause acid reflux.
Complicated or Serious Hiatal Hernia: Extremely uncommon, this type involves the stomach pushing deep into the chest cavity and can cause complications such as gastric strangulation.
What Causes a Hiatal (Hiatus) Hernia?
In conventional medicine the presumed causes of an enlarged hiatus or hiatal hernia are excessive strain within the abdomen due to heavy weight lifting or straining during bowel movement. For some it may be hereditary.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) the cause is blocked energy.
Is a Hiatal Hernia Dangerous?
In a word, no. A herniated hiatus while painful for some people most will experience no symptoms and need to treatments. Except in complicated cases, even a painful one poses little or no danger especially when treated.
What are the Treatments for a Hiatal Hernia?
In conventional medicine the treatments for hiatal hernia are typical medications for GERD. These would include prescription PPI’s (proton pump inhibitors,) H-2 blockers or antacids. In extreme cases surgery is recommended. I would not recommend either of these treatments for several reasons. For more information on conventional meds for heartburn and GERD, please see my article on conventional meds for heartburn.
In TCM the treatment is acupuncture and specific herbal medications which not only end the acid reflux but will heal the herniated hiatus, bringing it back to its natural position.
Acupuncture Versus Acid Reflux: 40% Cut in Sphincter Relaxations Brings Hope for Relief
Posted on: Tuesday, 30 August 2005, 14:52 CDT
BETHESDA, Md. (August 30, 2005) – Even the U.S. National Institutes of Health doesn't know what causes gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. And NIH's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) says there's an unclear relationship between GERD, heartburn and hiatal hernia (HH). Patients may have only one out of three, any two out of three, or all three.
An encounter between a Taiwanese gastroenterologist wanting to study acupuncture and an opening at the Royal Adelaide Hospital resulted in two experiments looking into how the traditional Eastern approach might affect transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs). Since TLESRs are "the most important mechanism of acid reflux in normal subjects and patients with GERD," they were targeted for study.
The paper describing the study, "Inhibition of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations by electrical acupoint stimulation," appears in the August issue of the American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, published by the American Physiological Society.
In two separate studies, barely perceptible stimulation was applied at the acupoint known as Neiguan on the wrist. here is a rather interesting proof of concept, which tackles one of the approaches to acid reflux by controlling the valve that controls acid leak. If we can stop the events, that would be a major therapeutic gain. But it's a major leap from where we are to a real cure," knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of the effect of electric acupuncture may help to identify target sites for therapeutic intervention for TLESRs.
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