Re: natural remedies for anxiety/depression and hiatal hernia pain
Hi Greeneyed blond,
First, could you be more specific about the hiatal hernia pain. Are you referring Acid Reflux/Gerd, or something different? Also, would you let me know as to the severity?
I have also suffered from all of these conditions. I, too, have a hiatal hernia and have suffered from severe Acid Reflux/GERD. For those thinking that this may just be severe heartburn, it is much worse than that. The burning and discomfort can be incapacitating. I am going to include an article on Hiatial Hernia Treatment. And then I will include information on Acid Reflux/GERD. I know you mentioned that you live in a small town, but I would rather include too much information than not enough. This will give you options to work with. Please feel free to ask myself or Tony any questions. I will also address your anxiety and depression remedies after the Acid Reflux ones. I suffer from all of these also, so I am very familiar with how to control the discomforts.
Hiatal Hernia Treatment
By Dr. Ben Kim on May 31, 2006 Natural Health Remedies
Hiatal hernia is a condition that produces one or more of the following symptoms:
- Pain/discomfort behind the breast bone (sternum), usually towards the bottom of the chest wall
- Difficulty swallowing; a feeling that an obstruction in the lower chest wall is making it hard for food to pass through to the stomach
- Heartburn
- Chronic burping
Anatomical Considerations
Your chest cavity is separated from your abdominal cavity by a large, flat muscle called your diaphragm. Your diaphragm sits about halfway down your torso, just below the border of your lowest ribs.
Your stomach sits just below your diaphragm, so is technically considered to be in your abdominal cavity. Your esophagus (food pipe) sits above your diaphragm, and is therefore considered to be in your chest cavity. Your diaphragm has a hole, called your esophageal hiatus, that allows your esophagus to travel from your chest cavity into your abdominal cavity, where it immediately meets up with your stomach.
A hiatal hernia is when a portion of the top of your stomach slides up through the esophageal hiatus in your diaphragm towards your chest cavity. The result is pressure on the walls of your esophagus, which can lead to one or more of the symptoms listed above.
What Causes A Hiatal Hernia?
Some people are born with one. But most commonly, a hiatal hernia is caused by any lifestyle factor that causes weakening of the diaphragm and the connective tissue that is in place in and around the esophageal hiatus to help prevent a hernia. Emotional stress, physical stress, lack of adequate rest, being overweight for your height, and smoking cigarettes are the most common lifestyle factors that can contribute to the development of a hiatal hernia.
Hiatal Hernia Treatment Options
The symptoms of heartburn that can accompany a hiatal hernia often respond positively to one or more of the following measures:
- Avoid smoking cigarettes.
- Avoid or limit caffeine intake.
- Avoid alcohol, especially hard liquor.
- Do not overeat.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing around your torso.
Sometimes, a hiatal hernia can be corrected with the following physical measures:
- Apply gentle massage to the uppermost portion of your abdominal cavity. To do this, use your fingers to find the point at which your breast bone (sternum) ends, right where the bottom rib on each side of your chest cavity comes up to meet the breast bone. Place your fingers just below this point, apply downward pressure, and move slowly towards your belly button. You don't need to travel all the way to your belly button; a few inches below the starting point is adequate. Repeat this simple massage technique several times while you are lying down and physically and emotionally relaxed. You can follow this routine as often as you like until you experience improvement in your symptoms. I recommend most people try this routine two times per day, once in the morning, and once in the evening.
- After a relaxation session of at least five minutes during which time you have been lying down, drink a full glass of water. Then, jump to the ground from a height that you are comfortable with - anything ranging from the bottom step of a set of stairs to a sturdy sofa seat or chair. The glass of water is to add some weight to your stomach. Jumping down from a height of a few inches to a few feet is to provide downward impact upon landing that can help the portion of your stomach that has herniated upwards to slide back down, away from the esophageal hiatus of your diaphragm.
Because the tone and overall health of your digestive tract is very closely connected with your stress levels via your autonomic nervous system, one of the most important treatment considerations for a hiatal hernia is physical and emotional relaxation work. Taking as much time as is needed to address chronic emotional states like frustration, anger, sadness, and hatred can be critically important in allowing your digestive tract to experience optimal nerve tone, which I have found can in and of itself cure some cases of hiatal hernia.
Foods that should be avoided by anyone suffering from Acid Reflux/Gerd:
Alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, citrus fruits and products, fats, and fatty or fried foods, peppermint, spicy foods, and tomato and tomato based foods.
Gallbladder problems, stress, allergies, and enzyme deficiencies are other possible contributing factors.
Supplements to take:
Multivitamin and Mineral Complex - as directed on label. To provide all needed nutrients.
Enzymes necessary for proper digestion:
Pancreatin - as directed on label
Bromelain - 80 mg daily in divided doses. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg daily from all supplements.
Papaya Tablets - As directed on label. To relieve symptoms, use chewable tablets from a health food store.
Vitamin B Complex - 50 mg of each major B vitamin 3 times daily with meals. (Amounts in individual vitamins in a complex will vary 1,000 -2,000 mg daily.) This is needed for proper digestion. Use lozenge or subliminal forms.
The following three minerals have an alkalizing effect that binds up stomach acid. Take these together between meals. Use calcium carbonate or calcium chelate form.
Calcium - 300 mg twice daily.
Magnesium - 150-200 mg twice daily.
Potassium - 100 mg twice daily.
The following are not necessary, but helpful. I myself use the Acidophilus.
Acid-Ease from Prevail - As directed on label. A soothing plant enzyme and herb formula that aids in the breakdown and assimilation of foods.
Acidophilus - As directed on label. Replaces friendly bacteria in the stomach.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) - As directed on label. Relieves hyperacidity without disturbing the normal acid-alkaline balance.
Herbs:
Aloe Vera Juice - Healing of the intestinal tract.
Catnip, Fennel, Ginger, Marshmallow Root, and Papaya Tea all aid in proper digestion and act as a buffer to stop heartburn.
Drinking chamomile tea can relieve esophageal irritation.
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) has effectively treated both heartburn and ulcers of the stomach and esophagus.
Caution: Do not use licorice if you have High Blood Pressure
Recommendations:
At the first sign of heartburn drink a large glass of water. This often helps.
Try potato juice. Do not peel the potato. Just wash it and put it in the juicer. Mix the juice with an equal amount of water. Drink it immediately after preparationn three times a day.
Try drinking a glass of fresh cabbage or celery juice every day.
Eat more raw vegetables. Eat smaller more frequent meals. Chew your food well. Eat slowly and enjoy your food. Following a a disciplined diet is an important step in managing GERD.
Sip 1 teaspoon of natural apple cider vinegar mixed with a glass of water while eating a meal. Do not drink any other liquids with meals.
Do not eat for three hours before bedtime. Wait at least three hours after eating before lying down.
Maintain an exercise program that includes walking, biking, or low impact aerobics. Avoid running and weight lifting, as these activities put pressure on the stomach. Do not exercise after eating.
Elevate the head of your bed.
As much as possible, avoid stress and anger.
Do not wear clothes that fit tightly around the waist.
This should help your discomfort.
Here are tips that will help your anxiety.
Very Important:
Calcium - 2,000 mg daily. Calcium is a natural tranquilizer.
Magnesium - 600 - 1,000 mg daily. Helps relieve anxiety, tension, nervousness, muscular spasms and tics. Best taken in combination with calcium.
Liquid Kyolic with B1 and B12 from Wakunaga - as directed on label. Helps reduce stress and anxiety.
Multivitamin and Mineral Complex - as directed on label. To provide all needed nutrients.
Selenium - 100 - 200 mcg daily. Low levels have been found in people with anxiety. A powerful antioxidant that protects the heart.
S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMs) - 400 mg twice daily. Important physiological agent involved in over 40 biochemical reactions in the body. It is a natural antidepressant and has a calming effect.
Caution: Do not use if you have manic-depressive disorder or take prescription antidepressants.
Vitamin B Complex - As directed on label. Helps maintain normal nervous system function.
Vitamin B6 - 50 mg 3 times daily with meals. A known energizer that also exerts a calming effect.
Naicinamide - 100 mg 3 times daily. Important in the production of certain brain chemicals. In large doses has a calming effect. Caution: Do not substitute niacin for niacinamide. Niacin can be toxic in such high doses.
Vitamin E - As directed on label. Helps transport oxygen to brain cells and protect them from free radical damage. Use d-alpha-tocopherol form.
Zinc - 50-80 mg daily. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg daily from all supplements. Can have a calming effect on the central nervous system.
Advised:
Chromium picolinate - 200 mcg daily. Chromium deficiency can produce symptoms of anxiety.
L-Glutamine - 500 mg 3 times daily, on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice. Do not take with milk. Take with 50 mg Vitamin B6 and 100 mg Vitamin C for better absorption. Has a mild tranquilizing effect.
L-tyrosine - 500 mg 3 times daily, on an empty stomach. Important for anxiety and depression. Caution: Do not take this supplement if you are taking an MAO inhibitor drug.
L-glycine - 500 mg 3 times daily on an empty stomach. Necessary for central nervous system function.
Helpful:
Coenzyme A from Coenzyme A Technologies - As directed on label. Supports the immunity system's detoxification of many dangerous substances.
Flaxseed Oil - As directed on label. Important for proper brain function.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) - 750 mg twice daily. Necessary for proper brain function.
Inositol - As directed on label. Has a tranquilizing effect.
Melatonin - Start with 2 - 3 mg daily taken 2 hours or less before bedtime. If necessary, gradually increase the dosage until an effective level is reached.
Herbs:
A body under stress is more vulnerable to free radical damage. Bilberry, Ginkgo Biloba, and Milk Thistle are rich in flavonoids that neutralize free radicals. Milk Thistle also protects the liver.
Catnip, Chamomile, Cramp Bark, Kava Kava, Hops, Linden Flower, Motherwort, Passionflower, and skullcap promote relaxation.
Caution: Do not use chamomile on an ongoing basis, as ragweed allergy may result. Avoid completely if you are allergic to ragweed.
Kava Kava can cause drowsiness. If this occurs, discontinue or reduce dosage.
Fennel relieves anxiety related gastrointestinal upsets. Fennel is most effective when it is taken as a tea before or after meals and has no known side effects.
St. John's Wort can ease depression and restore emotional stability. Results in mood should be noticed in approximately 2 to 4 weeks.
Skullcap and Valerian Root can be taken at bedtime to promote sleep.
Lastly, for both pain, Acid Reflux/GERD and anxiety and depression, I will include a link to aan article that Tony posted on the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). This method is extremely effective in the above two conditions. However, nutrition is paramount.
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1045993#i
I wish you the best in healing the conditions you wrote about. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions and let us know how you are doing.
Hugs,
Luella
