💓 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. 

“The Role of the Acid Pocket in Gastroesophageal Reflux.” Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2016 (review). 

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.

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

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.

#guthealth #acidreflux #hiatalhernia #rootcausemedicine

Do you suffer from acid reflux?
Are you taking a PPI medication?
Do you still have symptoms or are you troubled with night time reflux?

➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/locations/telemedicine/
Call us directly: 727-335-0400

There is a new antacid drug on the market called Vonoprazan. It was created in Japan where they have been using it for 10 years. Here in the U.S. it's been on the market for just a few years - 2022 and 2023. It was approved for patients with an H. pylori infection and those with erosive esophagitis respectively. It is also utilized for those patients who are non-responders to a PPI.

Pros: it's stronger, lasts longer and acts faster than PPIs. And it seems to be more effective for H. pylori infections and erosive esophagitis.

Cons: it's more expensive, insurance may not cover it, and it suffers many of the same side effects as PPIs. Chief amongst them is shifting your microbiome to favor "bad bacteria" grwoth which in fact sets you up to continue to have acid reflux. 

Further it reduces beneficial bacteria that can create obesity, hiatal hernia, and chronic reflux.

In addition, it increases your risk for C. diff infections, a dangerous form of diarrhea that can be life-threatening, causes bloat, nausea, loss of taste, headaches, fluid retention, kidney injury and skin rashes, along with osteoporosis, deficiency of vitamin B12, calcium and magnesium.

To determine what most makes sense for you, find a clinician who understands the drug options, side effects, along with natural options for treatment. As an example, H. pylori can be treated naturally very effectively. 

Finding a clinician who can help address the root cause of acid reflux could lessen the duration either antacid drug.

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:
1. Kato M, Suzuki M, Nagahara A, et al. "Vonoprazan Versus Lansoprazole for Healing and Maintenance of Erosive Esophagitis", 2022, Gastroenterology

2. Hori K, Matsukawa J, Umeno M, et al. "Seven-day vonoprazan and low-dose amoxicillin dual therapy as first-line Helicobacter pylori treatment: a multicentre randomised trial in Japan" 2020, Gut

3. Take S, Mizuno M, Ishiki K, et al. "Eradication efficacy and the effect of vonoprazan–amoxicillin dual therapy" 2025, The Lancet Microbe

4. Wang X, Chen Y, Li X, et al. "Effect of Potassium-Competitive Acid Blockers on Human Gut Microbiota: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis" 2023, Frontiers in Pharmacology

5. Takayuki Taketo, et al. "Long-term potassium-competitive acid blockers administration changes gut microbiota: insights from a 2.2-year cohort study" 2023, Helicobacter

6. Sugimoto T, Takahashi S, et al. "Gut microbiota changes related to Helicobacter pylori eradication with vonoprazan containing triple therapy among adolescents: a prospective multicenter study" 2020, Scientific Reports

#guthealth #hiatalhernia #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.

Do you suffer with acid reflux? Do you also experience heart palpitations or shortness of breath or anxiety?

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

Perhaps you've had an endoscopy or other testing and nothing showed up. 
Your symptoms are NOT in your head.
The fact is: small sliding hiatal hernias often go undetected.

Don't ignore your symptoms just because your test looks normal. You may very well have a very small hiatal hernia that hasn't yet been detected or you DO have one and you've fallen within the 40% false negative rate of endoscopies. That's right - endoscopy misses hiatal hernias 40% of the time.

A barium swallow can also miss a hiatal hernia. Manometry testing is most accurate, but not easily accessible for most of us.

If you have the symptoms of reflux, shortness of breath, bloat, gas, heart palpitations or anxiety, the odds are that you have a hiatal hernia. [NOTE: when I mentioned heart and breathing symptoms in the context of hiatal hernia I'm assuming that heart and lung disease has been ruled out. That should always be the first step when you experience such symptoms.]

The sooner you address the root cause of your symptoms the easier it will be to remedy them. So waiting and continuing to suffer just because a test doesn't agree with what your body is telling you, is a poor approach.

There's an addage in medicine - actually 2 of them.
1. Treat the patient, not the test.
2. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

What to do
Hiatal hernia symptoms mostly revolve around inappropriate pressure issues: pressure on your stomach, pressure on your diaphragm, pressure on your heart. The pressure is coming from down and pushing upwards, the exact opposite direction that occurs in a healthy digestive tract.

The solution therefore is to identify the causative factors creating the incorrect pressure.

It frequently is one or more of the following:
dysbiosis - too many bad bugs in your gut
insufficient stomach acid or pancreatic enzymes
constipation
food sensitivities
toxicity from mold, heavy metals or other environmental  or viral loads
vagus nerve irritation
lifestyle habits such as overeating, eating too quickly, eating late at night, and more.
physical imbalance of the diaphragm, postural imbalance. 

These are mostly all able to be managed and addressed naturally.
Finding a clinician who is adept at such treatment is mandatory.
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:
J.M. Levey, D.A. Katz (2012). Reliability of Upper Endoscopy for Diagnosing Hiatal Hernia. American Journal of Gastroenterology 

Y.S. Khajanchee et al. (2013). Diagnosis of Type-I hiatal hernia: a comparison of high-resolution manometry and endoscopy. Diseases of the Esophagus 

(MDPI) Identification of Sliding Hiatus Hernia by High-Resolution Manometry vs Endoscopy (2022). Journal of Clinical Medicine 

S. Tolone et al. (2018). High-resolution manometry is superior to endoscopy and radiology in detecting hiatal hernia. United European Gastroenterology Journal 

P.J. Kahrilas (2021). High-resolution manometry findings with hiatus hernia. (In A-leS / A-MeGroups publication) 

K. Kostic et al. (2015). High-resolution manometry has low sensitivity but high specificity for hiatal hernias. American Journal of Gastroenterology 

A. Laracca (2021). Optimal workup for a hiatal hernia. AL-Es Surgical Forum / AMeGroups 

#hiatalhernia #guthealth #acidreflux #rootcausemedicine 

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

If you suffer from acid reflux you likely think it means you have too much acid. That's a myth.

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

Most reflux happens due to pressure in your belly pushing stomach contents up, not because you're making too much acid.

Think of your stomach like a balloon that's partially filled with water. If you squeeze the balloon, what happens? Water squirts out the top. That's exactly what happens with your stomach. 

Your body has 3 anti-reflux barriers to prevent reflux from occurring. But when pressure builds and your stomach elevates, those barriers are compromised, allowing reflux to occur.

Calling the problem "too much acid" is an oversimplification and frankly it's inaccurate. It's more about exposure to acid than it is overproduction. Your esophagus is not designed to be bathed in acid. If you've ever vomited you know exactly how it feels when stomach contents flow into your esophagus. It's very irritating. This is the same situation with reflux. Any acid moving up into your esophagus is going to burn.

Fix the source of the pressure and you've fixed the root cause of the reflux. This is possible to be done without medications. Unfortunately, acid reducing medications have many side effects, many that worsen the cause of acid reflux.

Solutions
Some are easy and can make a big difference. Don't wear tight pants or belts, especially around meal times. Don't bend over post-meal. Take a stroll after eating to help your digestion.

The rest will likely involve you finding a clinician to help:
1. Get to the root cause of why you have bloating, gas or constipation. 
2. You'll also need assistance balancing your microbiome to eliminate bad bacteria that can cause pressure, along with balancing overall gut motility. 
3. Finding someone who knows how to address root causes of hiatal hernia naturally is important considering acid reflux and hiatal hernia have a 70 to 100% common occurrence rate.
4. Getting assistance to lose excess abdominal fat will also decrease chronic pressure in your abdomen.
Postural support and strengthening can also help.

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:
Sugerman HJ. (2007). “Increased intra-abdominal pressure and GERD/Barrett’s esophagus.” Gastroenterology 133(6):2075; author reply 2075–2076. 
PubMed

Tack J, Pandolfino JE. (2018). “Pathophysiology of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.” Gastroenterology 154(2):277–288. 
PubMed

Mitchell DR, Derakhshan MH, Wirz AA, Ballantyne SA, McColl KEL. (2017). “Abdominal Compression by Waist Belt Aggravates Gastroesophageal Reflux, Primarily by Impairing Esophageal Clearance.” Gastroenterology 152(8):1881–1888.

Siboni S, Bonavina L, Rogers BD, Egan C, Savarino E, Gyawali C, DeMeester T. Effect of Increased Intra-abdominal Pressure on the Esophagogastric Junction: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 2022. 
ResearchGate

“Effect of Increased Intra-abdominal Pressure on the …” (PMC article) — describes how increased IAP is a major force that can overwhelm or disrupt the sphincter barrier. (Published recently) 
PMC

Mittal RK, Rochester DF, McCallum RW. Human lower esophageal sphincter pressure response to increased intra-abdominal pressure. American Journal of Physiology 1989 Jan;256(1 Pt 1):G139-44.

Andrews WG, Louie BE. The relationship of hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux symptoms — two-sphincter hypothesis: a review. Annals of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery 2021;6:41.

#acidreflux #guthealth #rootcausemedicine 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this vid

Vagus nerve disruption from hiatal hernia doesn't just cause reflux, it drains your energy.

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

Your vagus nerve follows the same path as your esophagus, traveling through your diaphragm to meet your stomach. With acid reflux and hiatal hernia the vagus nerve can become irritated, stretched, or compressed.

This irritation can shift you from parasympathetic mode (rest, digest, relax) to a dominant sympathetic state, putting your body on high alert with an elevated heart rate and cortisol (stress hormone) level. This chronic stress response drains your body leading to burnout and exhaustion.

Chronic stress interferes with your sleep patterns leading to insomnia and worsening fatigue.

Your vagus nerve is linked physically and funcitonally to your diaphragm. A hiatal hernia and acid reflux causes shallow breathing that's inefficient and requires more muscular effort, leading to fatigue.

The vagus also regulates hormones. Chronic reflux, pain or shortness of breatk keeps stress pathways activated, crating adrenal fatigue with low energy and restless sleep. 

The bottom line is vagus malfunction that stems from the digestive disturbance you're experiencing. What's needed is to find a clinician who understands this association and can help you identify the root cause so that the vagus nerve can restore function.

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.

There are also some breathing techniques which can give you and your vagus nerve some immediate relief. I demonstrate that in the video.

References:
Ma, X., et al. (2017). The Effect of Diaphragmatic Breathing on Attention, Negative Affect and Stress in Healthy Adults. Frontiers in Psychology 8:874. 

“Slow breathing for reducing stress: The effect of extending exhale” (2023). Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 

“Breathing Practices for Stress and Anxiety Reduction” (2023/2024). Frontiers / PMC 

“Pathophysiology of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease” by J. Tack et al. (2018). Gastroenterology.

Zheng, Z., et al. (2021). A new technique for treating hiatal hernia with function-preserving vagus nerve anatomy: a cadaver and preliminary clinical study. BMC Surgery. 

#vagusnerve #guthealth #hiatalhernia 

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.

Are you always tired? Your vagus nerve may be stuck in low-power mode.

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

When vagus tone drops, inflammation runs wild, gut bacteria get out of balance, and your body can't absorb the nutrients it needs. That's why fatigue and brain fog go hand-in-hand with reflux and gut issues.

Structurally your vagus nerve runs along the same path as your esophagus. When you have acid reflux or hiatal hernia the vagus nerve can get stretched or irritated. This is when body-wide problems can arise.

The vagus nerve is naturally anti-inflammatory in the pathways it controls. When weakened it can't perform this function and inflammation ensues. The immune system gets overwhelmed feeling that the body must be very ill and it goes into a "sickness response" triggering fatigue and brain fog, just like if you had a bad flu or disease. It's pretty fascinating.

When the vagus gets irritated the amount of stomach acid decreases and the motility of your digestive tract slow. Food is poorly broken down and nutrients aren't absorbed well. Fatigue results because your cells aren't being well fed.

The vagus nerve also influences your microbiome. Bad bacteria outnumber good, more inflammation occurs and you absorb good nutrition poorly.

These factors all can lead to exhaustion and brain fog.

The solution is to get to the root of the acid reflux and hiatal hernia so that the vagus doesn't continue to get irritated. You can also perform some breathing exercises which I demonstrate 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.

#guthealth #rootcausemedicine #hiatal hernia

References:
Tracey, K. J. (2002). The inflammatory reflex. Nature 420, 853–859. 

Borovikova, L. et al. (2000). Vagus nerve stimulation attenuates the systemic inflammatory response to endotoxin. Nature 405, 458–462. 

Pavlov, V. A., & Tracey, K. J. (2007). Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway. Journal of Clinical Investigation 117 (2), 289–296. 

Koopman, F. A., et al. (2016). Vagus nerve stimulation inhibits cytokine production and attenuates disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 113(29), 8284–8289. 

Robinson-Papp, J., (et al.) (2018). Vagal dysfunction and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Clinical Infectious Diseases 

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.

Do you suffer from gas and bloating that's downright uncomfortable?

➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/locations/telemedicine/
Call us directly: 727-335-0400

Have you been told to:
just put up with it?
take probiotics?
try a gas pill?

Gas and bloating isn't just a nuisance, it's can be a warning from your body of a hidden imbalance. We don't want to just "band-aid" it.

Causes:
1. SIBO - small intestinal bacterial overgrowth - excess bacteria in your small intestine ferment food in the wrong place, causing gas/bloat, constipation or diarrhea.
2. Food intolerances or Malabsorption - undigested carbohydrates and fats reach your colon and produce gas.
3. Motility issues - in the stomach it's called gastroparesis, and constipation is another indicator of motility problems. Slowed movement through your digestive tracts means the gas and intestinal contents hang around too long, intensifying your symptoms of gas and bloat.
4. Hormone influences and Stress - stress and anxiety (common with hiatal hernia) can modify how your body reacts. Your nerves can be more sensitive within your intestine causing your to feel even mild amounts of gas and bloat more acutely. 
Stress also activates your fight or flight nervous system which slow digestive rate and motility.
Stress alters your microbiome allowing for more bad bacteria, increased fermentation of food and increased bloat and gas as a result.

Evaluation
A good in-depth health history
Rule out celiac disease and thyroid disease plus any inflammatory bowel disease
Test the microbiome for dysbiosis - presence of bad bacteria
Endoscopy
Motility tests - called gastric emptying study
Trials of therapeutic diets to evaluate for food intolerances.

Treatment
Rebalance your microbiome
Optimize motility - an easy first step is to hydrate and increase the amount of soluble fiber in your diet
Start breathing techniques like box breathing

You don't have to suffer with this.
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:
Lacy BE et al., Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Treatment of Bloating (2011) PMC

Crucillà et al., Functional Abdominal Bloating & Gut Microbiota (2024) 

MDPIStanghellini V, Tack J. Gastroduodenal disorders of sensation and motility. Gastroenterology. 2004;126(6):1721-1737.

Hasler WL, Gas and Bloating (PMC article) — overview of causes, when it's abnormal 
PMC

“Gas, Bloating, and Belching: Approach to Evaluation and Management” — AAFP review of differential causes 
American Academy of Family Physicians

“Management of Chronic Abdominal Distension and Bloating” (CGH journal) — therapeutic strategies 
CGH Journal

Lacy BE et al. Pathophysiology, evaluation, and treatment of bloating. Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2011;7(11):729-739. 

Camilleri M. Fat-induced changes in upper GI function: relevance to dyspepsia. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005;82(4):777-784.

Wedlake L et al. Systematic review: the prevalence of idiopathic bile acid malabsorption as diagnosed by SeHCAT scanning in patients with diarrhoea-predominant IBS. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2009;30(7):707-717. 

Keller J, Layer P. Human pancreatic exocrine response to nutrients in health and disease. Gut. 2005;54(Suppl 6):vi1–vi28. 

#bloating #guthealth #hiatalhernia 

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