How I improved my gut health after being diagnosed with G.E.R.D.

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Been suffering with acid re flux issues and burning sensations in my stomach, which I later found out were stomach ulcers. I would treat them but it came back to flare up again, which then led to more investigations and was finally diagnosed with Gastro-esophageal Re flux Disease (G.E.R.D.). G.E.R.D is a chronic digestive diseases that occurs when the stomach acid or stomach content flows back up into the esophagus. Common symptoms include heartburn and regurgitation.

For me it got so worse, that I started having difficulties swallowing and I would always feel like there is a lump on my throat. It was so scary, I would sometimes think maybe the lump I felt was a sign of cancer. My voice would also sound hoarse every once in a while. Luckily, the doctors found what was wrong with me, and then with their advise and my own research I started researching for ways I can manage it, and the first step was to start with my gut. Starting with the gut where the acid is located would mean that it will become more manageable and the symptoms I experienced daily would significantly reduce.

Treatments of GERD involves:

1. Lifestyle changes - which for me included loosing weight, quitting smoking, working on my posture, sleeping elevated and on my left side. Avoiding large meals & late night eating, identifying and avoiding trigger foods such as spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol and chocolate.

2. Diet changes - eating gut friendly food

For me I had to change my entire routine, and also work on the emotional stress that could have also flared up my symptoms. For that I followed Louise Hay advice, she said with every illness there is an emotional hurt or trauma that is causing that disease, that your emotional well being is just as important as the physical.

GERD is a chronic desease, that affects many things and below is what I decided to work on and associate with emotional healing.

1. Chronic disease

   Emotional Cause: A refusal to change. Fear of the future. Not feeling safe

   affirmations: I am willing to change and grow. I create a safe new future.

2. Overweight -

   Emotional Cause: Fear. Insecurity. Over sensitivity. Anxiety. Running away from feelings or true self.

   Affirmations: I am at peace with my feelings. I am safe where I am. I create my security. I love and approve of myself.

3. Ulcers -

   emotional cause; Fear. A belief that you are not good enough. Anxious to please.

   affirmations: I love and approve of myself. I am at peace with myself. I am wonderful.

4. Stomach and intestinal problems

   Emotional cause: Dread, fear of the new. Not feeling nourished.

   Affirmations: Life agrees with me. I assimilate the new every moment of the day. All is well. I relax and allow my mind to be peaceful

5. Throat problems -

   emotional cause: The inability to speak for yourself. Refusal to change. Swallowed anger.

   Affirmations: It is okay to make noise. I express freely and joyously. I speak up for myself with ease.

I started listening to daily affirmations on Youtube, also did some Emotional Freedom technique. So i can work on the emotional side of my gut problems. Game changer!

I also changed my routine:

1. Exercise and taking care of my body

2. Stopped smoking

3. Meal portion size also decreased

4. Did intermittent fast

5. Strictly - no caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, deep fried foods and chocolate

6. Took probiotics supplements

Identifying your triggers:

After every flare up, try and identify your triggers, food that feel uncomfortable for your stomach.

1. Beans - even though I love beans so much, I have to eat in moderation, definitely no seconds for me if beans is on the menu. It just doesn't sit well, and I always bloated after eating it.

2. Oranges, lemons and all citrus fruit - also a no go for me, every time I eat them I experience a burning sensation on my stomach. Bu other fruits and veggies, I try and consume as much of them than I do any meat products.

3. Green tea - it was same with green tea or matcha, which breaks my heart because I would have loved for my Instagram feed to have some matcha tea in it, all my favorite influencers were jumping in on it. But anything with caffeine, generally upsets my stomach.

   
   

Plant based living.

Plant-based lifestyle:

Every once in a while, I try and challenge myself and quit the following food just as a detox for a month and sometimes shorter. I will simply go:

1. No meat and products derived from meat (poultry/pork/beef/lamb/e.t.c.)

2. No processed foods

3. No sugar

4. No sweeteners

5. No fried Foods/Fatty meals

6. No alcohol

Wine and alcohol in general, also mess up my gut. I now drink maybe 3 or 4 times a year. On the occasions that I do drink, I always have my alkaline water next to me. And before I sleep i make myself a glucose solution and drink alkaline water and sleep. So relax, I am not saying you should quit alcohol all together, but if you know you have a gut problem, look for ways you can detox yourself after drinking. I rarely drink, and my partner likes his wine, he still finds me good company and I enjoy his company too. So you don't need a glass of one to have fun.

Quitting smoking was the best thing that came out of my gut problem, I got motivated and big reason to truly work on quitting. I wanted a healthy gut more than the few seconds of pleasure I would get from the tobacco.

I did all of the things I mentioned above, and once or twice a year I do a water fast for 72 hours so my body can heal and detox, therefore helping my gut.