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Reflux is solved by MORE acidity or promotion of stomach acid. Lower stomach acid PH means the LES doesn’t close properly. Seems counter intuitive but took me 8

by davzie 2y ago

Reflux is solved by MORE acidity or promotion of stomach acid. Lower stomach acid PH means the LES doesn’t close properly. Seems counter intuitive but took me 8 years of symptoms to discover.

nosefurhairdo 2y ago
I think this is true for a long term solution, but the standard treatment to alleviate symptoms of reflux is to consume antacids, so I think parent's point is still valid.
mircea 2y ago
> Lower stomach acid PH means the LES doesn’t close properly I don't think that's correct. Lower stomach acid pH makes the LES close more tightly, with a max around pH==3.
- davzie 2y ago
  When I said lower stomach acid I meant in quantity, not acidity, you're right!
bbstats 2y ago
So proton pump inhibitors don't work? Nah
- davzie 2y ago
  They have long term health consequences and reduce your stomach acid quantity enough that the acid doesn't make it's way back up the throat. So it's masking the root cause. The knock-on effect of taking PPIs or H2-blockers is that you end up with lower acidity which means worse food digestion which means being more prone to bugs and bacteria in food not being wiped out before it gets to the small intestine where it can cause bigger issues like SIBO. Having the right amount of stomach acid and low PH is crucial to keep the whole digestive system, gut motility and more running properly.
  - bbstats 2y ago
    Yes, they are bad long term. But do they prevent acid short term? Yes.
    - davzie 2y ago
      Yes they prevent acid but that's masking the root symptom (not enough and not low enough PH to stimulate closure of the LES). Not having enough might seem like it fixes it in the short term, but it causes knock-on effects that mean your food isn't being digested properly and you're more prone to bad bacteria making it's way to the small intestine. Once it gets there, it's very hard to get rid of so be careful on PPIs!
phaedrus 2y ago
Not every case of reflux is caused by the same things. Some people's esophageal sphincter (such as mine does) just... decides to let go at random times. For me, that I can tell, the frequency of that happening isn't really affected +/- by the PH of my stomach acid, but the PH sure has an effect on the consequences. I am assuming the best thing I can do for it is lose weight, but that's easier said than done.
- amelius 2y ago
  Look into vitamin K2.
- malfist 2y ago
  If you've tried the traditional diet and exercise and couldn't stick to it, don't let the stigma around glp-1s keep you from taking to your doctor about them. They are a powerful tool. Really helped me
QuantumGood 2y ago
So hard to teach this to people, even those who've moved past basic understanding. I keep acid/digestive pills near the bedroom in case I have problems with a late meal

by davzie 2y ago

Reflux is solved by MORE acidity or promotion of stomach acid. Lower stomach acid PH means the LES doesn’t close properly. Seems counter intuitive but took me 8 years of symptoms to discover.

nosefurhairdo 2y ago

I think this is true for a long term solution, but the standard treatment to alleviate symptoms of reflux is to consume antacids, so I think parent's point is still valid.

mircea 2y ago

> Lower stomach acid PH means the LES doesn’t close properly I don't think that's correct. Lower stomach acid pH makes the LES close more tightly, with a max around pH==3.

davzie 2y ago
When I said lower stomach acid I meant in quantity, not acidity, you're right!

bbstats 2y ago

So proton pump inhibitors don't work? Nah

davzie 2y ago
They have long term health consequences and reduce your stomach acid quantity enough that the acid doesn't make it's way back up the throat. So it's masking the root cause. The knock-on effect of taking PPIs or H2-blockers is that you end up with lower acidity which means worse food digestion which means being more prone to bugs and bacteria in food not being wiped out before it gets to the small intestine where it can cause bigger issues like SIBO. Having the right amount of stomach acid and low PH is crucial to keep the whole digestive system, gut motility and more running properly.
- bbstats 2y ago
  Yes, they are bad long term. But do they prevent acid short term? Yes.
  - davzie 2y ago
    Yes they prevent acid but that's masking the root symptom (not enough and not low enough PH to stimulate closure of the LES). Not having enough might seem like it fixes it in the short term, but it causes knock-on effects that mean your food isn't being digested properly and you're more prone to bad bacteria making it's way to the small intestine. Once it gets there, it's very hard to get rid of so be careful on PPIs!

phaedrus 2y ago

Not every case of reflux is caused by the same things. Some people's esophageal sphincter (such as mine does) just... decides to let go at random times. For me, that I can tell, the frequency of that happening isn't really affected +/- by the PH of my stomach acid, but the PH sure has an effect on the consequences. I am assuming the best thing I can do for it is lose weight, but that's easier said than done.

amelius 2y ago
Look into vitamin K2.
malfist 2y ago
If you've tried the traditional diet and exercise and couldn't stick to it, don't let the stigma around glp-1s keep you from taking to your doctor about them. They are a powerful tool. Really helped me

QuantumGood 2y ago

So hard to teach this to people, even those who've moved past basic understanding. I keep acid/digestive pills near the bedroom in case I have problems with a late meal