Oy, so many on here also suffer from upper GI issues ie reflux, heartburn, gastritis and there's a pretty good treatment - Zinc L-Carnosine

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

"Here's a blurb from the article: "In an ethanol-induced gastro-injury rat model, ZnC treatment decreased the ulcer index of the rat stomach and showed a significant ulcer-healing effect similar to the gastric mucoprotective agent rebamipide [31]. Similarly, a significant ulcer healing effect was reported with ZnC supplementation compared with the placebo treatment group in an aspirin-induced gastroduodenal injury animal model [32,33]. In addition, a study using an acetic acid-induced rat model reported that the ZnC treatment group showed a significant antiulcer effect and healing action compared to the control [34]. These results are most likely a result of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions of ZnC [35]. This function of ZnC helps to explain the many other benefits it can exert throughout the GI tract.

It has been reported that ZnC stimulated several aspects of gut mucosal integrity. In vitro studies using pro-migratory (wounded bilayer) and proliferation ([(3)H]-thymidine incorporation) assays of human colonic (HT29), rat intestinal epithelial (RIE), and canine kidney epithelial cells showed that ZnC stimulated cell migration and proliferation and reduced the amount of gastric and small intestinal injury in rats and mice. In vivo studies used a rat model of gastric damage (indomethacin/restraint) and a mouse model of small-intestinal (indomethacin) damage. Oral ZnC decreased gastric (75% reduction at 5 mg/mL) and small-intestinal injury (50% reduction in villus shortening at 40 mg/mL; both p < 0.01). In a cross over study of 10 healthy human subjects comparing changes in gut permeability (lactulose/rhamnose ratios) before and after 5 days of indomethacin treatment (50 mg three times a day) with ZnC (37.5 mg twice daily) or placebo, it prevented the rise in gut permeability caused by indomethacin [7]."

Reflux is almost always caused by a hiatal hernia. If they don't find one on X-ray it's probably because they didn't perform the barium swallow correctly. If you have reflux you should sleep on your left side at night because by doing this the stomach falls over and across the opening to the esophagus making reflux near impossible. There are ways to manage a hiatal hernia which is nothing more than your stomach bulging into your esophagus. Unfortunately, overtime this tends to loosen/widen that nifty little sphincter muscle that prevents reflux in the first place. Don't despair, keep massaging that baby back into place. Don't lift heavy weights. Try not to strain or bear down. Thin is in if you have this hernia. Belly fat will push your stomach upwards. I have been told by a naturopath that if you can manage to keep your stomach in place for a long enough period of time that sphincter muscle/junction will tighten up again. Yesssss!

[Felicity21]

I hear what you say. But have you ever tried simply taking Acidophilus? It is harmless and puts back in your gut all those good bacteria. Solves the problem.

[Hidden in reply to Felicity21]

No, in my case it’s quite mechanical - kind of like a broken arm, only a hernia. And supposedly congenital on top of that. Our gut is as infinite as the stars. It contains not only trillions of bacteria but virus’ and fungus as well - all working in concert - sometimes for the greater good, sometimes not. Whoever told you acidophilus will make every thing right sold you a tall tale.

[Felicity21 in reply to Hidden]

Hi LonePine, I suffer from a similar condition but don’t have the bulging hernia. I don’t know what your symptoms are but due to acid leaking into my oesophagus, I have suffered endless debilitating tummy aches. I tried everything and have become particularly watchful of what I eat. Too much acid and gluten but also stress can bring it on. Then someone recommended Acidophilus to me. It has been the best thing. It does not make everything right because the condition is still there but it certainly helps me. Good luck with your problems and hope the Zinc-L-Carnosine helps.

[Hidden in reply to Felicity21]

I hope I didn’t sound like my usual dismissive self. I bought some acidophilus and will add it to the regimen and report back.

[Felicity21 in reply to Hidden]

Just to say, I keep my Acidophilus in the fridge and I take it with a cold drink as heat kills probiotic bacteria. All the best.

[DicCarlson]

Excellent advice. I do believe hiatial hernia is more common than we realize. I found this advice...

newhealthadvisor.org/Hiatal...

[Hidden in reply to DicCarlson]

I love it! Doesn’t it seem like “the bridge” would make it worse?