What's the Root Cause? by Dr Vikki Petersen
"What's the Root Cause?" is brought to you by Root Cause Medical Clinic, featuring Dr. Vikki Petersen—renowned doctor, functional medicine expert, author of "Hiatal Hernia Syndrome" and host of a highly popular YouTube channel.
Dr. Vikki Petersen and her team of clinicians provide cutting-edge solutions in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, nutrition, food, hormones, genetics, lifestyle, and more.
You don’t have to accept feeling unwell or struggling with chronic health issues. Your body has the power to heal, and with the right approach, reversing many health conditions is possible. We're here to help you do just that.
Have questions about your health? Contact us today at 727-335-0400 or visit RootCauseMedicalClinics.com.
What's the Root Cause? by Dr Vikki Petersen
Constipation Causes Hiatal Hernia
There's a strong causative link between constipation, acid reflux and hiatal hernia.
First, a look at the statistics:
Up to 20% of the population suffers, but this is highly under-reported due to so many people suffering who don't realize they are actually constipated.
Women are at double the risk of men.
The percentage goes up to 33% in older adults
The definition of constipation is less than 3 bowel movements per week, but the ideal definition of a normal bowel is 1 to 3 movements per DAY that are formed, easy to pass and fully evacuation occurs.
How does it link to reflux and hiatal hernia?
1. With constipation you strain which increases the pressure inside the abdomen, causing the stomach to get pushed up and thus resulting in hiatal hernia. The increased pressure also forces the contents of your stomach upwards, causing reflux to occur due to the pressure overwhelming the LES (lower esophageal sphincter).
2. Delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis) occur with constipation because a backed-up colon slows digestion down upstream. Food staying in your stomach longer, pressure builds and acid moves up into your esophagus. Delayed gastric emptying also increases the risk of gas and bloating. Explained next...
3. Gas, bloating and fermentation. Constipation is accompanied by bloating and gas from the fermentation of undigested food in your gut. The gas, as we've reviewed, put pressure on the diaphragm and the stomach both, leading to acid reflux and hiatal hernia.
4. Gut-Brain-Vagus connection. Chronic constipation reflects a nervous system imbalance, especially to the vagus nerve. The vagus controls esophageal motility, LES tone and stomach emptying, plus more. With this imbalance, the risk of reflux and hiatal hernia rises.
Solutions for Constipation
There are several aspects of your health that should be investigated. There isn't a single reason YOU have constipation vs someone else. There are several potential factors and you need to discover what is true for you. We are happy to assist.
Here's what we evaluate:
Food sensitivities - dairy and gluten are common
Fiber - frequently deficient, start with soluble fiber like chia, flax and psyllium husks. They are gentler than insoluble fiber found in vegetables which can be a bit harsh if you're chronically constipated.
Magnesium citrate - a safe magnesium that stays in the colon
Hydration plus electrolytes - drink 1/2 your weight in ounces of water
Movement - exercise is very critical for gut motility
Dysbiosis - testing to discover if you have it can make a big difference in successful treatment
SIBO - test. I discuss more in the video
Thyroid - get a good comprehensive test and find out if you suffer from hypothyroid
Vagus nerve - I discuss more in the video
Constipation is detrimental to your health on many, many levels. Here we discuss reflux and hiatal hernia, but it also weakens your immune system and disrupts hormonal balance.
If you'd like help we're here for you. The best next step is to contact us for a consultation and then we can determine if what we do is a good fit for you. Call 727-335-0400.
#constipation #acidreflux #hiatalhernia