GERD — When Heartburn Keeps Coming Back
Table of Contents
Stomach acid burns the esophagus
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to close properly, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus and causing heartburn, chest pain, sour belching, and a foreign-body sensation in the throat. It is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, with late-night meals, overeating, obesity, and stress as major aggravating factors.
Korean medicine diagnosis: counterflow of stomach qi (胃氣上逆)
In Korean traditional medicine, the qi of the stomach should naturally descend; when it rises in reverse, it is called counterflow of stomach qi.
- Liver-Stomach disharmony (肝胃不和): Stress causes Liver qi to overpower the Stomach → Sihosogan-san
- Stomach heat (胃熱): Overeating and spicy foods accumulate heat in the Stomach → modified Jwageum-hwan
- Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold (脾胃虛寒): A cold and weak stomach has reduced motility → modified Yijung-tang
Key formula
Banhasasim-tang (半夏瀉心湯) is the representative formula for GERD. Pinellia (banha) directs stomach qi downward, Scutellaria (hwanggeum) and Coptis (hwangnyeon) clear stomach heat, and ginseng with jujube tonify the Spleen and Stomach.
Lifestyle rules to reduce reflux
- Do not lie down within 2 hours of eating
- Raise the head of the bed by about 15 cm at night
- Reduce overeating, late-night meals, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and alcohol
- Avoid tight clothes and belts that compress the abdomen