What's the Root Cause? by Dr Vikki Petersen

Are you taking a PPI for reflux? Medications like Omeprazole, Nexium or Prilosec can help symptoms, but long-term use comes with risks.

Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.

In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains the 4 major side effects associated with long-term use of PPI medications.

Heart disease - a large study of 2 million people found that PPI use was associated with ischemia, heart disease and stroke. The increased risk was 12 to 54% with a dos-response relationship.
Why does this occur?

Nitric oxide production is inhibited with PPIs. Nitric oxide keeps your vessels dilated, reduces inflammation and prevents clots from forming.

Bone health - PPIs decrease mineral absorption and if you've been on a PPI for more than 2 years and you're under the age of 60, your risk of a bone fracture increases 68%.

Infections occur because acid in your stomach is a pathogen barrier. Without acid, 'bad guys' happily multiply. risk of pneumonia increases 50% risk of a bacterial infection (C. diff) increases 73% and SIBO infections see a 100% increase risk based on a 2025 study.

Kidney health suffers as well. PPIs increase your risk of chronic kidney disease and even kidney failure 20 - 50%.

There are also studies linking dementia and liver disease to PPI use. PPIs prevent absorption of vitamin B12 which prevents cognitive decine, Alzheimer's dementia and stroke risk. 

There is a way to diminish your need for PPIs by getting to the root cause of why the pressure exists on your stomach, forcing acid up your esophagus.

If you need help, we're here for you.

References:
Khurmatullina A.R., et al. “The Duration of Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy and the Risk of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025;14(13):4702. DOI:10.3390/jcm14134702.

Trifan A, Hammani K, et al. “Proton Pump Inhibitors Therapy and Risk of Clostridium difficile Infection.” Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2017; (meta-analysis) DOI:10.29085200.

Su T., et al. “Meta-analysis: Proton Pump Inhibitors Moderately Increase the Risk of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.” Journal of Gastroenterology. 2018;53:27-36.

Xia B, et al. “Individualized prevention of proton pump inhibitor related adverse events: an evaluation of disease burden and risk stratification.” Nature Communications. 2024;15:3591. DOI:10.1038/s41467-024-48007-8.

Lam JR et al. Proton Pump Inhibitor and Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist Use and Vitamin B12 Deficiency. JAMA. 2013.

Vogiatzoglou A et al. Vitamin B12 status and rate of brain volume loss in elderly. Neurology. 2008.
Morris MC et al. Nutrient Intake and Cognitive Decline. Neurology. 2005.

Smith AD et al. Homocysteine and dementia: an international consensus statement. J Alzheimers Dis. 2018.

O'Leary F., Samman S. Vitamin B12 in health and disease. Nutrients. 2010;2(3):299–316.

#acidreflux #guthealth #rootcausemedicine 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical condition, or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this video.

Many viewers ask what to do next if symptoms persist. 
Our licensed medical team at Root Cause Medical Clinic can help you identify the root cause. 
➡ Learn more or book a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/locations/telemedicine/
📞 Call us directly: (727) 335-0400

About this channel: Dr. Vikki Petersen, DC, CFMP, is founder of Root Cause

If you’re breathing through your mouth, you may be sabotaging your diaphragm, your posture, and your acid-reflux/hiatal hernia barrier.

Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.

In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains what the hidden link is between mouth-breathing, diaphragm dysfunction, intra-abdominal pressure spikes, posture and reflux/hiatal hernia — plus how to fix the root cause.

Hiatal hernia is very common (≈20% general population, it increases with age).
Hiatal hernia definition: 95% are sliding, and most are small

The esophagus passes through the hiatus (opening) in the diaphragm; the crural diaphragm acts  as an external “sling” around esophagus - it acts as a valve, preventing reflux and hernia. 
When the GEJ (gastro-esophageal junction) rises above the diaphragm, two things happen: the hiatal opening widens and weakens → reflux risk increases.

The diaphragm plays an important role in the antireflux barrier (not just LES but diaphragmatic component).
Nasal breathing engages diaphragm fully (belly movement, lower ribs) vs mouth breathing which often shifting you to shallow chest/neck breathing.
This reduces diaphragmatic excursion (movement) and tone over time; diaphragm becomes less efficient and more flattened. 

Posture: mouth breathing often pulls head/neck forward (forward head posture), which changes rib cage mechanics, lengthens accessory muscles, and compromises phrenic nerve and vagus nerve -diaphragm.

Pressure dynamics: with impaired diaphragm and poor posture, the intra-abdominal pressure regulation becomes dysfunctional → more pressure spikes when coughing, lifting, straining.
Each cough, each lift, each straining episode creates an intra-abdominal pressure spike; a competent diaphragm/crural diaphragm and correct posture help buffer that.

If you're mouth-breathing, diaphragm is weak → the hiatus sees more stress → increased risk of the stomach bulging up (hiatal hernia) and reflux.

Research (study below): Diaphragmatic breathing increased LES pressure and reduced post-meal reflux events.

Mouth breathing often during sleep (snoring) means alternating cycles of airway collapse, negative intrathoracic pressure swings (rapid or exaggerated drops in pressure inside the chest – occur when someone is breathing forcefully, mouth breathing or struggling to breathe) → more reflux risk.

Root causes: nasal/sinus inflammation (allergy, mold, SIBO-driven sinusitis), autonomic imbalance (vagus suppression, sympathetic overdrive), structural airway (nasal deviation, adenoids), postural factors.
Interventions:
1. Restore nasal breathing (nasal rinse, address inflammation/allergy, ENT evaluation if structural).
2. Address systemic inflammation: food sensitivities, microbiome imbalance,
3. Postural reset: forward-head correction, rib cage alignment, diaphragm place.
4. Diaphragmatic breathing training (DBT): show technique (belly rise/inhale nose → exhale pursed lips). 

#hiatalhernia #acidreflux #rootcausemedicine 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical condition, or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this video.
The views expressed are based on my clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the date of publication. Individual results may vary.

Many viewers ask what to do next if symptoms persist. 
Our licensed medical team at Root Cause Medical Clinic can help you identify the root cause. 
➡ Learn more or book a co

If you’re breathing through your mouth, you may be sabotaging your diaphragm, your posture, and your acid-reflux/hiatal hernia barrier.

Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.

In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains what the hidden link is between mouth-breathing, diaphragm dysfunction, intra-abdominal pressure spikes, posture and reflux/hiatal hernia — plus how to fix the root cause.

Hiatal hernia is very common (≈20% general population, it increases with age).
Hiatal hernia definition: 95% are sliding, and most are small

The esophagus passes through the hiatus (opening) in the diaphragm; the crural diaphragm acts  as an external “sling” around esophagus - it acts as a valve, preventing reflux and hernia. 
When the GEJ (gastro-esophageal junction) rises above the diaphragm, two things happen: the hiatal opening widens and weakens → reflux risk increases.

The diaphragm plays an important role in the antireflux barrier (not just LES but diaphragmatic component).
Nasal breathing engages diaphragm fully (belly movement, lower ribs) vs mouth breathing which often shifting you to shallow chest/neck breathing.
This reduces diaphragmatic excursion (movement) and tone over time; diaphragm becomes less efficient and more flattened. 

Posture: mouth breathing often pulls head/neck forward (forward head posture), which changes rib cage mechanics, lengthens accessory muscles, and compromises phrenic nerve and vagus nerve -diaphragm.

Pressure dynamics: with impaired diaphragm and poor posture, the intra-abdominal pressure regulation becomes dysfunctional → more pressure spikes when coughing, lifting, straining.
Each cough, each lift, each straining episode creates an intra-abdominal pressure spike; a competent diaphragm/crural diaphragm and correct posture help buffer that.

If you're mouth-breathing, diaphragm is weak → the hiatus sees more stress → increased risk of the stomach bulging up (hiatal hernia) and reflux.

Research (study below): Diaphragmatic breathing increased LES pressure and reduced post-meal reflux events.

Mouth breathing often during sleep (snoring) means alternating cycles of airway collapse, negative intrathoracic pressure swings (rapid or exaggerated drops in pressure inside the chest – occur when someone is breathing forcefully, mouth breathing or struggling to breathe) → more reflux risk.

Root causes: nasal/sinus inflammation (allergy, mold, SIBO-driven sinusitis), autonomic imbalance (vagus suppression, sympathetic overdrive), structural airway (nasal deviation, adenoids), postural factors.
Interventions:
1. Restore nasal breathing (nasal rinse, address inflammation/allergy, ENT evaluation if structural).
2. Address systemic inflammation: food sensitivities, microbiome imbalance,
3. Postural reset: forward-head correction, rib cage alignment, diaphragm place.
4. Diaphragmatic breathing training (DBT): show technique (belly rise/inhale nose → exhale pursed lips). 

References:
Halland, M., et al. (2021). Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing on the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Upright Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Gastro, 116(1):86-94. 

Ong, A. et al. (2018). Diaphragmatic Breathing Reduces Belching and Proton Pump Inhibitor Use in Patients with Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Clinical Gastro and Hepat, 16(4):616-624. 

Qiu, K., et al. (2020). The Effect of Breathing Exercises on Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Annals of Palliative Medicine, 9(4):1524-1533. Ann of Pall Med

Niu, S., et al. (2024). Positive Effect of Deep Diaphragmatic Breathing Training on Gastroesophageal Reflux-Induced Chronic Cough: A Clinical Randomized Controlled Study. Resp Res, 25:169. 

Sadiq, M., & colleagues (20

Are you sick of belly fat that won't move?
Frustrated with loss of muscle tone and stsrength?
Worried about memory loss of dementia?

Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.

In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains why women develop belly fat, lose muscle strength and develop dementia. If you're 35 to 65+ years old, this video is for you.

The bad news is that women start to lose estrogen in perimenopause, early 40s typically. It really plummets at menopause but if you're younger and have suffered with irregular periods or PCOS, you've already been suffering with imbalanced estrogen.

Estrogen is anti-inflammatory and protects you against:
belly fat/ visceral fat
muscle and bone loss
type 2 diabetes
heart disease
fatty liver
dementia.

Protecting you against the adverse effects of aging, called geroprotective, are just two organs, your muscles and ovaries. The latter go away with menopause so you are left with needing very healthy, strong muscle to combat this.

High intensity exercise creates changes in muscle which drives glucose into your muscles while relasing a hormone that prevents storage of visceral fat.

High intensity exercise is defined as reaching greater than 80% of your maximum heart rate. Calculate max HR by taking 220 minus your age. You want to engage in this 20% of the time or 2x/week. At a high intensity you'll find it difficult to speak. 
Exercises like HIIT, heavy weights and circuit training fall into this category.

Benefits are many:
1. prevents visceral fat storage / belly fat
2. makes muscles stronger
3. makes anti-inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) which lower disease risk
4. increases neuroplasticity of the brain, produces more brain cells and makes more lactate - protecting against dementia
5. benefits sleep quality
6. balances mood

80% of the time you want to engage in low intensity exercise - defined as 50 to 70% of your max heart rate. So that's 5x/wk.
Examples would be an incline walk, slow run, steady cycle and weight lifting.

Avoid moderate intensity exercise. This zone doesn't create a storng enough stress and post-exercise response the way high intensity does. Instead, it elevates inflammation and the stress hormone corisol.

A recommendation is to get your bone density tested early. You want to catch bone loss early - get tested in your 40s. The LiftMor study cited below found that lifting heavy weights in older women with osteoporosis was safe and built back bone. Don't be afraid of this. It's never too late to turn this around.

#bellyfat #menopause #womenshealth #rootcausemedicine 
References:
Kodete, C. S. et al. (2024). “Hormonal Influences on Skeletal Muscle Function in …” MDPI J 3(3):24. 

Also: Zhang, C. et al. (2024). “Research progress on the correlation between estrogen …” Frontiers in Endocrinology. 

Steiner, B. M. (2022). “The Regulation of Adipose Tissue Health by Estrogens.” Frontiers in Endocrinology. 

Marsh, M. L. (2023). “Adipocyte Metabolism and Health after the Menopause.” PMC. 

García-Suárez, P. C. (2020). “Acute Systemic Response Of BDNF, Lactate and Cortisol to …” PMC. 

Kraemer, R. R. (2023). “The effects of peripheral hormone responses to exercise …” Frontiers in Endocrinology. 

Ward, L. J. et al. (2020). “Resistance training decreases plasma levels of adipokines …” Scientific Reports. 

Tan, L. (2025). “Can strength training modulate inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women with overweight and obesity?” Complement Ther Med

Watson S.L., et al. (2018). The LIFTMOR Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 33(2):211-220. doi:10.1002/jbmr.3284. 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is intended for educational purposes only and is not a sub

You've been diagnosed with IBS.
You've tried changing your diet, reducing stress, perhaps you've tried various drugs. But you continue to suffer with bloating, pain or unpredictable bathroom trips. 

Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.

It's ruining your life.
In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains 5 clear causes of IBS that when addressed, allow healing to occur.

The truth is: IBS isn't a real diagnosis; it's a description of symptoms. What's missing is the root causes hiding underneath your symptoms.

Many people just continue to put up with the symptoms or try medications which, by research, have satisfaction rating of only 10%. There's much more that can be done.

So what's really going on? 
The 5 Reasons You're Really Suffering:
1. SIBO and gut dysbiosis - bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine leads to gas, bloat, pain and motility issues. Bacterial overgrowth, known as dysbiosis, in your colon creates the same symptoms.
The causes are hiatal hernia, use of PPI drugs, antibiotics, food sensitivities, and vagus nerve dysfunction, which slows motility.

2. Inflammatory changes post-infection - things like food poisoning or traveler's diarrhea begins a cascade of damage to the intestinal lining that triggers inflammation, increases intestinal permeability (leaky gut) sensitizes the gut's nervous system, and slows or speeds up motility. The bacterial toxins and leaky gut causes toxins to leak into the bloodstream and that triggers an immune response.

3. Food sensitivities - certain foods are triggers while other foods are a consequence of a disrupted gut. e.g. gluten and diary are common causes. FODMAPs and histamine foods are reactionary more due to a consequence rather than a root cause. It can result in people eating very few foods which is not desirable or ultimately necessary when the root causes are treated.

4. Hidden inflammation or microbiome imbalance - with chronic food sensitivities, stress, or bacterial dysbiosis the immune system stays on alert - it releases cytokines that irritate the gut's nerves and muscles. Studies show this directly relates to the classic pain - bloat - motility loop.
This degree on inflammation doesn't show up on standard blood tests - one needs to test specifically for it.

5. Vagus nerve dysfunction and Gut/Brain axis - the vagus nerve controls motility, poor digestion and serotonin levels. The vagus is the connection between gut and brain. 
When you're told IBS is due to stress it doesn't really help. Stress from where? You have to work on the gut and vagus both. 90% of serotonin (the happy hormone) is produced in the gut. You need a healthy microbiome to produce serotonin, which you don't have if you suffer with IBS. The cause of mood swings, anxiety, depression and brain fog is explained due to insufficient serotonin.

Testing:
microbiome, SIBO, hormones, food sensitivities, cytokines and toxins such as mold or heavy metals. Once imbalances are found, treatment is natural.

Annual blood tests and colonoscopies won't find these root causes.

References:
Barbara G. et al., Gastroenterology 2004. Mast cell–nerve interactions in human irritable bowel syndrome.
Ohman & Simrén, Gut 2010. Pathogenesis of IBS: Role of inflammation, immunity and neuroimmune interactions.
Dinan & Cryan, Gastroenterology Clinics 2011. The microbiome-gut-brain axis in health and disease.
Simrén et al., Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2013. Intestinal microbiota in functional bowel disorders: A Rome foundation report.
Tap et al., Gastroenterology 2017. Identification of an intestinal microbiota signature associated with severity of irritable bowel syndrome.

#ibs #guthealth #rootcausemedicine 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is intended for educational purposes on

Belly fat is more correctly called visceral fat. 

Which means the fat around your organs in your abdomen. Visceral fat is associated with increased risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, fatty liver, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and Alzheimer's disease.

Belly fat is not the same as peripheral fat found elsewhere in the body. The Journal of Nature Communications entitled "Inherited basis of visceral, abdominal subcutaneous and gluteofemoral fat depots", looked at 40,000 people and determined that visceral fat is the only fat associated with cardio-metabolic disease. Regular fat (located beneath the skin or in glute or thighs) is not.  

While extremely impactful on your health, fortunately it isn't difficult to impact your belly fat in meaningful ways.

A study out of BMC Medicine entitled "The Effect of High Polyphenol Mediterranean Diet on Visceral Adiposity..." was a randomized control trial that saw a 14% decrease in visceral fat (!) in the subjects following a Mediterranean diet optimized with polyphenols - plant-based compounds known for their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. In the study they consumed more fruit, green tea, walnuts and other foods high in polyphenols which decreasing red meat intake (more on that later). The group not optimized to eat more polyphenols only lost 4% of their visceral fat.

Foods high in polyphenols: dark wild berries, green tea, almonds, walnuts, cinnamon, turmeric, and more.

Polyphenols activity to enhance the microbiome was reported on in the journal Nutrients with an article entitled: Beneficial Effects of Dietary Polyphenols on Gut Microbiota. This found polyphenols to act as a prebiotic fiber to good bacteria but showed that is also protected against bad bacteria from forming in your gut - very exciting!

A strong correlation has been found between the microbiome and visceral fat. A full 16 strains of microbes  are associated with gaining visceral fat. Polyphenol protection is sounding pretty great against these.

Now on to why the recommendation for watching how much saturated fat you're consuming. The Journal of Diabetes published a study entitled: Overfeeding Polyunsaturated and Saturated Fat Causes Distinct Effects on Liver and Visceral Fat Accumulation in Humans. 

They found that overeating saturated fat promotes visceral fat and liver fat storage, whereas excess consumption of polyunsaturated fat may promote lean tissue in healthy humans. 

Now notice the use of the word "overeating". It's fine to have saturated fat in your diet, but watch to make sure that it isn't above 20% to avoid fatty liver and visceral fat increase.

Dietary Tips
To summarize these recommendations you can try some of the below recommendations:
1. Consume about 1 gram of lean protein per pound of ideal body weight.
2. Eat 2 cups of dark berries/day. This is 2 servings. Aim for organic.
3. Drink 2 cups of green tea/day. Organic if you can.
4. Eat some low oxalate leafy greens to help oxidize fat faster. e.g. arugula, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, asparagus.
5. Eat some aged cheese - pecorino romano is the best because it's low in lactose and contains the fatty acid CLA which is known to help decrease belly fat.
6. Have a serving of collagen or bone broth to help heal the gut.
7. Have 1/2 to 1 cup fermented dairy because it increases good gut bacteria (SCGAs) which results in decreased visceral fat.
8. Intermittent fast - 4 hours between meals and a 12 to 14 hour fast overnight.

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.

#guthealth #bellyfat #rootcausemedicine 

➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/locations/telemedicine/
Call us directly: 727

💓 Heart Palpitations and Shortness of Breath — But Your Heart Is Fine?

It’s scary when your heart suddenly starts racing, skips a beat, or you find yourself short of breath. Add in chest tightness or pain, and it’s completely understandable to head straight to the ER or your doctor’s office.

But what happens when you’ve done all that — maybe more than once — and your doctor or cardiologist assures you everything looks normal?

It’s reassuring to know your heart appears healthy… but that doesn’t make it any less unsettling when it starts pounding again or you can’t seem to catch your breath.

So what’s really going on?
The answer might surprise you.

🎧 Give this a listen — it could change how you understand your symptoms.

If you’d like help getting to the root cause, we’re here for you. The best next step is to schedule a consultation so we can see if what we do is the right fit for you.
📞 Call 727-335-0400 to get started.

#hiatalhernia #heartpalpitations #rootcausemedicine

Disclaimer:
The information in this video is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health. Never ignore or delay medical advice because of something you’ve seen or heard in this video.
The views expressed are based on clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the date of publication. Individual results may vary.

If you have a small hiatal hernia you've perhaps been told that your "other" symptoms, such as heart palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath or anxiety are not related. This can be confusing.

Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.
In this video Dr Vikki Petersen, DC, IFMCP explains why this confusion occurs.

Large hiatal hernias cause direct pressure on the heart and/or lungs due to their sheer size. Due to that direct pressure, the symptoms of chest pressure, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and anxiety can occur. When your doctor has told you that your small hiatal hernia cannot cause those symptoms it's because he or she is thinking with direct pressure.

What they're missing is that small hiatal hernias can cause those symptoms via a different mechanism. The pressure on the stomach causes your body's anti-reflux barriers to be overcome. The result is reflux. The reflux triggers vagal nerve reflexes leading to the symptoms I just mentioned.

These are nerve reflex responses but the symptoms are no less real.

The key is to identify the root cause of the pressure. There are a few potential causes. Some that you can address on your own are:
Not overeating
Changing your diet to include real vs ultraprocessed foods
Chew your food well
Don't lie down after you eat

Other factors you'll need some help to address:
Losing weight around your mid-section
Balance your gut microbiome - good bugs vs bad bugs
Assess any toxic load
Hormonal imbalance

References:
Hyun JJ, 2011 — Clinical Significance of Hiatal Hernia — Gut and Liver. 

Kahrilas PJ, 2008 — Approaches to the Diagnosis and Grading of Hiatal Hernia — Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 

Andrews WG, 2021 — The relationship of hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux — Annals of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery. 

Cleveland Clinic, n.d. (review page current) — Hiatal Hernia: What It Is, Symptoms, Treatment & Surgery — Cleveland Clinic. 

Franzén T, 2014 — Is the severity of gastroesophageal reflux dependent on hiatus hernia size? — World J Gastroenterol. 

Wallner B, 2018 — Identifying clinically relevant sliding hiatal hernias — Scand J Gastroenterol. 

Weitzendorfer M, 2017 — Preoperative diagnosis of hiatal hernia: barium swallow X-ray, high-resolution manometry, or endoscopy? — World J Surg. 

Tolone S, 2018 — High-resolution manometry is superior to endoscopy and radiology for hiatus hernia diagnosis — World J Gastroenterol. 

Goodwin ML, 2021 — Atypical and typical manifestations of the hiatal hernia — Ann Laparosc Endosc Surg. 

Naoum C, 2011 — Left Atrial Compression and the Mechanism of Exercise Impairment in Large Hiatal Hernia — J Am Coll Cardiol. (Large HH → cardiac compression). 

Malik A, 2021 — Hiatal Hernia: A Possible Trigger for Atrial Fibrillation — Cureus (case report; association, not proof).
 
Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical condition, or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this video.
The views expressed are based on my clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the date of publication. Individual results may vary.

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 or
➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-nat

If you have acid reflux you're told the cause is too much acid. That's not necessarily true. 

➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/
Call us directly: 727-335-0400

Let's look at the science.
Hiatal hernia and acid reflux have a 70 to 100% correlation. Where you find one you're likely to find the other.

There is a normal pressure gradient that pushes downwards to keep food moving in the right direction. The pressure is from top down throughout your entire digestive tract.

When pressure builds in your belly - where it shouldn't be - pressure is now pushing in the wrong direction. It's pushing up on your stomach and up on the underside of your diaphragm. This pressure creates acid reflux and hiatal hernia. 

This pressure from the abdomen also breaches the 3 natural anti-reflux barriers inherent in your digestive tract. They are located in the bottom of your esophagus, the inner circle of your diaphragm (crura) where the esophagus passes through, and on the underside of your diaphragm. The natural barriers that ensure reflux doesn't occur cannot function with increased abdominal pressure.

To fix this you simply have to identify and handle the source(s) of the abdominal pressure.
It can be:
bad bugs in your gut
poor diet causing inflammation
food sensitivities
toxicity
large meals
tight clothes
abdominal fat

It's a matter of getting assistance to assess what's happening for you and addressing it naturally. The natural approach works very well.

I'm not giving you medical advice; the purpose of this video is education.

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.

#acidreflux #hiatalhernia #guthealth #rootcausemedicine 
References:
Fossmark R., Olaisen O. (2024). Changes in the Gastrointestinal Microbiota Induced by Proton Pump Inhibitors — A Review of Findings from Experimental Trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine.

Wu J., et al. (2024). Abdominal Obesity Increases Intragastric Pressure and Disrupts the Esophagogastric Junction in GERD. BMC Gastroenterology.

Pandolfino J.E., et al. (2013). High-Resolution Manometry of the Esophagogastric Junction: Pressure Topography and Relationship to Hiatal Hernia. Neurogastroenterology & Motility.

Gyawali C.P., et al. (2018). Physiologic Evaluation of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Clinician’s Guide. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America.

Lee J.S., et al. (2022). Effect of Increased Intra-abdominal Pressure on Gastroesophageal Reflux: Insights from High-Resolution Impedance Manometry. Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility.

Lidor A.O., et al. (2005). Pressure Characteristics of the Esophagogastric Junction Before and After Hiatal Hernia Repair. JAMA Surgery.

Kahrilas P.J., et al. (2014). The Role of the Diaphragm and Lower Esophageal Sphincter in the Pathophysiology of GERD. American Journal of Physiology – Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical condition, or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this video.
The views expressed are based on my clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the date of publication. Individual results may vary.

After meals do you feel burning, pressure, chest tightness, heart palpitations or even anxiety?

Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.

Your acid pocket could be to blame. What is it?
The acid pocket is a layer eof highly acidic stomach "juice" that floats just above the meal you just ate. It sits at the very top of your stomach.

If you have too much pressure in your belly squeezing your stomach, the pocket can get pushed upwards past your anti-reflux barriers located in the bottom of your esophagus, your diaphragm (crura) and a ligement under your diaphragm. This allows reflux to occur.

The acid exposure to your esophagus can trigger nerve reflxes, via your vagus nerve, causing sensations like chest pressure, palpitations and shortness of breath. This can happen even with a small hiatal hernia.

Addressing the root cause of the excess pressure can address the problem. I explain all the causes in the video.

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.

References:
Kahrilas PJ, McColl K, Fox M, O’Rourke L, Sifrim D, Smout AJPM, Boeckxstaens G. The acid pocket: a target for treatment in reflux disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013;108(7):1058–1064.

Beaumont H, Bennink RJ, de Jong J, et al. The position of the acid pocket as a major risk factor for acidic reflux in healthy subjects and patients with GORD. Gut. 2010;59(4):441–451. 

Sifrim D, et al. “Capping the Gastric Acid Pocket to Reduce Postprandial Reflux.” Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2013. 

Rohof WO, et al. Proton Pump Inhibitors Reduce the Size and Acidity of the Acid Pocket in GERD Patients. CGH Journal. 2014. 

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical condition, or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this video.
The views expressed are based on my clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the date of publication. Individual results may vary.

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About this channel:
Dr. Vikki Petersen, DC, CFMP, is founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic.
Our multidisciplinary team of licensed APRNs and clinicians provides functional medicine care focusing on gut, hormone, and metabolic health.
Educational videos are reviewed by licensed medical staff and based on current scientific research.

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