24 Comments
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Steve's avatar

LIGHT

Hi, I had written the comment about 'raft' technology to stop GERD. However it seems LPR (silent GERD) has now made it's debut. The gases and pepsin mist get by the raft, come up the esoph, then go down the 'windpipe' - which doesn't have mucus membranes to protect itself as does the esoph.

This is where the chest pains are comining from.

Nebulizing saline with a very small amount of bicarb to neutralize the pepsin. Will start melatonin when it arrives today or tomorrow.

Remnant | MD's avatar

Yes, I was asked about LPR many years ago, and I even had a roommate with this problem when I was in medical school.

I think your assessment is right, how far up the esophagus does this gradient of reflux reach.

Steve's avatar

Well, the actual chyme seems to stay in the stomach, so the raft IS working well in that regard.    And, glad to report that the bicarb nebulizing is having a positive effect on LPR.

Good thing I have a positive attitude towards all these issues - I consider it a hobby :*)

Looking fwd to any NIR-for-hiatal-hernia updates.

Remnant | MD's avatar

I received an update from the reader who used it for her hiatal hernia, a year later and symptoms have not returned, has been off the light for over 6 months.

Mercuriell's avatar

Very interesting approach- certainly any people would love to get off PPIs. Treating helicobacter makes heartburn worse as the little critters eat urea and make NH3 which neutralises acid. HP much maligned but gives docs an excuse to Rx. The amount of reflux not only depends on the complex gastrointestinal-oesophageal sphincter but also oesophageal and gastric motility and clearance rates. Mucosal damage I think often comes from bile salts rather than acid or pepsin. Some very good lifestyle advice here, I will have to look into melatonin.

Steve's avatar

Love your articles. In this heartburn one I would include using 'raft' techniques to stop stomach contents from causing damage.

Remnant | MD's avatar

Thank you Steve. Can you elaborate on what raft techniques refer to?

Steve's avatar

Sure. Those of us w severe GERD and LPR have to deal with the ramifications of these issues. "rafting" technology is deploying a physical, mechanical shield for the esophagus rather than just relying on chemical acid-neutralizers. When specific polysaccharides (like alginate or pectin) combined with bicarbonates hit your stomach acid, they undergo a rapid gelation reaction; the bicarbonates react to release CO2 gas, which gets trapped in the gel matrix and makes it buoyant. This creates a low-density, foam-like "raft" that floats directly on top of the gastric chyme, pooling right at the gastroesophageal junction. This physical barrier acts as a mechanical plug, physically blocking both acidic and non-acidic (like bile or pepsin and gastric gases ) contents from splashing back up into the esophagus.

Remnant | MD's avatar

Interesting. From what you describe, things like aloe may act similarly

Lone Star's avatar

Light.

David Smit's avatar

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Susan J Carkin's avatar

Light.

Thank you much.

Full Name's avatar

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clem h fandango's avatar

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St. Mudphud's avatar

Light. Keep up the solid work! Thank you

CS's avatar

Thank you, this is very timely as my 81 yr old father has been diagnosed with gastritis, so of course was put on a PPI. I have read enough to know Im not ok with that and have gotten him to make a few dietary changes, but will now add melatonin as well.

DepWD40's avatar

Light ... definitely light - and thanks for your newsletter!

Aniela Connelly's avatar

Light!

MimiBear's avatar

Light please ☀️

Dwell in the Land's avatar

Light. Thank you for this comprehensive information.

Jake's avatar

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J Prez's avatar

Light!