ECTOPICS, ACID REFLUX AND CHEWING GUM

[mirtilla]

At the cost of being laughed at, I want to ask if anybody can give a reason why my acid reflux, which is often the trigger of ectopics, is stopped by chewing gum. I also have PAF, which comes up during the night for other causes, like getting up to pee, or nightmares, or no reason that I can imagine. But during the day, for tens of years , I have been bothered by frequent ectopic beats, always triggered by a GERD condition. Ectopics are so strong and frequent that sometimes I cannot distinguish them from true PAF. After having used endless anti-acid medications, and being aware of the toxicity of the Aluminum Oxide many of them contain, or the problems of proton pump inhibitors, I have recently discovered that simply chewing gum for thirty or forty minutes after a meal prevents stomach acidity or strongly reduce it. To my astonishment, abundant salivation may be as good as medication.

[CDreamer]

I think it sounds as though your Autonomic system and vagus nerve is involved - often the link between heart Arrythmia and digestive issues. Just looking, smelling and chewing will kick the ANS into gear, telling the body to prepare to accept food. When you chew gum - are you also active or sitting? We need our bodies to go into Rest & Digest mode in order to absorp nutrients - i wonder if the this is what is happening - by chewing gum you are tricking the body to trigger Rest and Digest mode rather than chronic low level Freeze, Fight & Fligt mode.

Similar at night - many people find their vagus nerve is triggered whilst sleeping, whilst others find it triggers arrythmias during exercise - we all seem to respond differently.

Maybe others with ectopics & GERD could try chewing gum and report back to see if it is only you - or maybe you have stumbled across the new cure for ectopics.........?

Just my theory.

[mirtilla in reply to CDreamer]

This is a very interesting idea, the chewing action altering some threshold in the autonomic response. I will test it as soon as I have the opportunity (better later than sooner...)

[CDreamer]

Great post by the way....

[meadfoot]

Just been googling gum and acid reflux, seems there is some evidence of acid reduction from changes in saliva when chewing gum, suggests bicarbonate gum is a good choice. If acid reflux kicks in your af then you may well be onto something here, hope that you are. Best wishes.

[mirtilla in reply to meadfoot]

Indeed. Here there is something: journals.sagepub.com/doi/ab.... Thank you for pointing out to me

[mirtilla in reply to mirtilla]

the link does not work. Here is the publication: Journal of Dental research,

The Effect of Chewing Sugar-free Gum on Gastro-esophageal Reflux

R. Moazzez*, D. Bartlett, A. Anggiansah

[meadfoot]

Thanks.

[Profound15]

Have you tried Apple cider vinegar for your reflux. I have had reflux for years but from July this year tried acv. The result is no indigestion. Works well for me. Two teaspoons in a mug of warm water every morning before eating. It has to be the one with mother. I use Bragg’s

[mirtilla in reply to Profound15]

Thanks.I will try

[Madscientist16]

You answered your own question. Yes, the extra saliva produced and swallowed while chewing gum can dilute stomach acid and reduce indigestion and acid reflux.

[Jc24]

Laugh at me, too! Gum definitely helps!

[mirtilla in reply to Jc24]

Thanks for confirming my observation

[Bloodredroses in reply to mirtilla]

Cider vinegar tips my stomach up. With Rivaroxaban by Xarelto would be terrible for me . Sensitive stomach .

Natural sugarless peppermints , or tea ginger tea if not too ‘hot ! for you . Works well also , peppermint recognised as digestion aid .

( not too much )

Sugar free brand artificial sweetener can give loose bowels .

[Seawalk]

Me too chews gum😄Have been using it since I started DOACs a couple of years ago. Soon settles stomach discomfort.