Gallbladder disease can have very similar symptoms to heartburn, and although the gallbladder is connected to the digestive system, no genuine link has been found yet between the gallbladder and heartburn.

The Gallbladder

The reason people think they’re experiencing heartburn when they have a gallbladder issue is the pain is extremely similar and located in the same place that heartburn would be. The symptoms of gallstones and gallbladder disease include pain in the upper abdomen, belching, indigestion and nausea.

The gallbladder is used to store bile that then helps aid in the digestive process. After eating, the body signals the gallbladder to release the bile to help break down food in the small intestine.

For people who have problems with their gallbladder, antibiotics and surgery are generally the best options.

Heartburn

Heartburn is the result of too much acid in the stomach. This acid is then allowed to escape the stomach into the esophagus, resulting in pain that often radiates through the chest and into the neck as a burning sensation. Like a gallbladder problem, heartburn can also result in belching, indigestion and hiccups.

Heartburn has a number of causes. Food is one main cause. Things like spicy foods, onions, garlic, alcohol, caffeine and acidic citrus fruits can all cause heartburn, although many people have their own unique food triggers.

A person’s lifestyle can also stir up trouble in the heartburn department. For example, eating large meals can lead to heartburn. The influx of food in the stomach causes pressure to build and excess acid to be produced which irritates the esophagus. To solve this problem eat smaller meals more often. That helps the stomach digest foods more easily and keeps heartburn at bay.

Additionally, don’t eat right before bed, no matter how small the meal is. If you remain upright after eating, gravity helps keep food and acids down in your stomach, but if you lie down they can easily creep into your esophagus and cause pain and irritation.

Smoking can also cause heartburn, so if you smoke, don’t. It’s thought to increase the body’s acid production, leading to heartburn. It also slows the body’s ability to heal, so any damage done from excess acid takes much longer to be repaired.

Similarly, stress causes an influx of acid production in the stomach. So, try to keep stress out of your life as much as possible. Meditate, take deep breaths, count to 10, put on some soothing music, or even add a light exercise routine to your day. All these things can help you achieve a calmer mindset and prevent heartburn pain.

Heartburn pain can be relieved in a number of ways. Drinking a large glass of water is one simple way to reduce toxins in the stomach and wash acids through the system, relieving pain. Antacids can also help, although you should avoid becoming a pill popper if you have frequent heartburn. For more natural relief, try ginger. Whether candied or taken in tea form, it can help with all kinds of stomach indigestion problems.

For more natural tips and tricks for relieving heartburn, visit refluxremedy.com.

Although it’s easy to mistake a gallbladder issue with heartburn, the two so far have not been connected. Make sure you stay in tune with your body so that you can distinguish between the two health problems.

Gallbladder surgery is another one of those unnecessary operations that come with bonus side effects.

One of those side effects is acid reflux, which is, having excess saliva with a constant bitter taste from gastric juices refluxing up your throat.

No worries though, your doctor will most likely prescribe Protonex, Nexium or some other Pharma gimmicks to keep your adverse symptoms and complaints quiet.

There are always exceptions to the rule, but the word is most gallbladder surgeries are unnecessary.

Remember tonsils? They used to snip those by the hundreds of thousands annually, until they found they are part of your endocrine and immune system.

There are many overused surgeries due to the loop holes in managed-care insurance, lack of scientific evidence and simple greed.

Surgeons are always coming up with new techniques (i.e., laparoscopy) and better tools to remove gallbladders, yet you never hear of anyone trying to cure the cause of gallstones, do you? Today instead of opening you up all the way, they make a smaller incision, making it an in and out procedure.

Don?t let that fool you, gallbladder removal is still a risky business and considered major surgery. If for instance they nick or sever a bile duct, it will result in permanent liver damage . . . this happens about 2% of the time.

Your gallbladder is NOT the enemy here, your gall stones are and for that matter, your diet habits. If you haven?t had a gallbladder attack and show no signs of pancreatic inflammation or jaundice, you don?t need surgery . . . you need the cure.

In fact did you know there are successful remedies for gall stones, kidney stones and acid reflux?

Another point I have to mention is because gallbladder removal is easy money for the hospitals, every now and then someone with acid indigestion, symptoms of bloating or acid reflux get sent through the procedure in a rush to treat gall bladder-like symptoms.

Recent studies disclose that only 10% to 18% of the 20,000,000 people who have gallstones ever even develop symptoms. What that means is you can start eliminating the risk of gallstones now, before you have a gallstone attack.

Statistics claim only about 10 to 18% of people who have gallstones will experience symptoms at all.

Eating the wrong things year after year can lead to gallstones, acid indigestion and acid reflux. You need healthy bile function and stomach acid function to work together. Usually if one gets out of balance they both could eventually fail to work properly.

Of course if you have gallbladder disease or cancer the odds are you may end up losing your gallbladder to save your life. Gallbladder disease, like acid reflux is associated with obesity, diabetes, smoking and synthetic hormone replacement therapy, to mention a few.

Always get a second or third medical opinion when surgery has been suggested.

By avoiding the classic Standard American Diet (SAD) you can avoid a lot of the Standard American Diseases.

To prevent gall stones as well as acid reflux issues cut out the bad fat, but keep the good fat.

That means, eliminate animal fats and enjoy healthy fats from super foods like avocados and almonds

Gallstones are triggered from poor quality fat intake which increases the bad cholesterol (fatty acid) that makes gallstones.

Don?t end up with double the trouble, cure two problems by eliminating one stone.

Eliminate refined carbohydrates, animal fats and processed food additives so your risk of developing gallstones and acid reflux will be reduced significantly-otherwise you may end up having to deal with the combined symptoms of both problems.

You were born to heal,

Todd M. Faass?

Health Ecologist