Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GIRD or GERD) occurs when stomach acid inappropriately flows backward into the esophagus. In the short term, this can be very useful and for occasional heartburn relatively safe. However, over the longer term side effects can become quite problematic. In common language people call this condition as acidity.

TCM perspective

Spleen and Stomach which are responsible for food metabolism and controls entire digestion systems in our body. According to TCM view, acidity and gastritis are different.

Acidity: is a condition where empty heat (stomach fire) rises in stomach resulting in reduced fluids. This rise in fire is due to more secretion of gastric juice in stomach. The nature of the fire is moving upward. Hence patient feels throat and esophagus burning sensation, joint pain in the upper body, especially, neck, shoulder, or elbow, patient also complains about cervical spondylitis, shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, and chest pain.

Did you know?

Many people who complain about acidity, who also complain about hair fall, eye burning, headache (especially forehead) etc. due to upward fire movement.

Root cause of acidity can be easily diagnosed using five element graph .Different Organ patterns identified by Nadifit which may indicate acidity are

Gastritis: is a condition where stagnation of fluids/food/Qi impairs spleen/stomach transformation and transportation process. When Spleen and Stomach becomes too much wet or damp (Due to low fire), makes digestion weak, then fluids will not properly absorbed and not properly transformed, this creates stagnation in the body, and person often feels low appetite, indigestion, Constipation, stomach bloating, lazy, lethargy etc.

Did you know?

Many people who complain about gastritis, who also complain about weak digestion, constipation, stomach heaviness, excess gas formation, lazy, feeling to sleep always, weakness of limbs, not feeling hungry etc

Checking nadi is very important before making your diet plans

Case study:

A 37 year lady had been suffering from gastritis, indigestion, bloating, weak digestion and tiredness. (She could not able to distinguish gastritis and acidity). Her husband suggested her to eat bananas every day after having dinner, thinking that eating banana improves digestion. After few months her digestion problem becomes complex which results in formation of lump near chest area. She went for operation to remove lump. Further, she was also in depression due to sudden death of her father.

Diagnosis

After checking her pulse using Nadifit, it is identified that Qi stagnation in Liver and Stomach. Her stomach fire levels were zero indicating not enough fire to digest food. Upon that eating bananas even diminishes fire levels, since all fruits are cool nature. The undigested food converts as phlegm and creates stagnation (lump) in the body. Further, depression, sad even reduces stomach and lung energy thereby weakening the organ performance.

Solution

According to Nadifit, her fire levels in stomach should be raised. She should eat foods which increases heat in stomach and lungs. She needs physical activity, exercise to eradicate tiredness, Since Liver controls muscular system, Qi stagnation makes lazy, lethargy and tiredness. Specific Acupuncture and Acupressure points can also help to overcome her problem.  

Conclusion

Many individuals often interchangeably refer to acidity as gastritis, but it’s important to note that acidity and gastritis are distinct conditions. Acidity is characterized by an excess secretion of gastric juice, leading to an increase in stomach fire. Conversely, gastritis results from stagnation due to insufficient stomach fire. Notably, the recommended dietary and lifestyle interventions differ significantly between these two cases. Those experiencing acidity require treatments to reduce fire levels, whereas individuals with gastritis need interventions to elevate fire levels and alleviate stagnation. Nadifit recognizes and addresses this diversity, advocating for drugless therapies such as acupressure, acupuncture, color therapy, and auricular therapy. These holistic approaches have proven effective in managing both conditions. For a more comprehensive understanding, check your pulse using Nadifit.