GERD

GERD - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), gastric reflux disease, or acid reflux disease is defined in Wikipedia as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of stomach acid to the esophagus. Symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, constant burping, bloatedness, nausea, headaches and chest/ gastric pain...

I used to be diagnosed with this illness four years ago and the disease was at its worst. I couldn't eat as every food I ate caused me a stabbing sensation in my stomach, just below the chest. Fried food and cold drinks did my stomach in and gave me the worst pains that I felt like curling up in bed with a hot water bottle. Eventually, I had to settle for porridge or fish soup every meal and drank hot water. Even though I hardly ate, my stomach felt bloated all the time. My weight dropped by 4kg!

It was scary; I was so thin, my cheekbones showed (on the contrary, felt happy) but GERD was taking a toll on my health, I was tired, irritated and had headaches. Went for a scope at Changi General Hospital but the results revealed nothing. Then, I decided to take Chinese medicine when I chanced upon this TCM clinic at Tanjong Pagar. After eating his pills for a year, my stomach was better and stronger. I could gradually take normal food and drink "teh C" - my favourite drink without pressing my stomach in discomfort.

This lasted for about two years before I felt the pain in my stomach come back... not as painful as previously but I can still feel some effects when drinking soya bean milk, cold drinks or too much fried food. Anyway I concluded that my stomach was weak and yes I will avoid these food wherever possible.

Around May 2010, my friend persuaded me to try drinking Aloe Vera gel drink. As I had a weak stomach, I took the version with Bits & Peaches. The product is from Forever Living.

Let's see how this goes... Will it make my stomach stronger?