Stomach flatulence is the state of having excessive stomach gas. It can gives you a very uncomfortable bloated filling.

Heartburn is a burning sensation caused by excessive amount of acid from the stomach when it flows backward up into the esophagus. Heartburn gives you a feeling of burning discomfort from the throat downwards. When a  gastroesophageal reflux occurs some even experience a bitter or sour taste behind the throat. Heartburn occurs when our sphincter  located at the end of the esophagus relaxes inappropriately and allows acid from the stomach to flows backward up into the esophagus.

Causes of Heartburn Problems

Stomach Flatulence: Allopathic science view it to be caused excess gas in the digestive tract caused by increased intake of gas (air you swallow) or increased production of gas by our digestive system.

Heartburn: Allopathic science sees it as a result of our lower esophageal sphincter muscle working inappropriately or that it is weak. Gastroesophageal reflux can happen anytime, before or after meal.

But for TCM flatulence, gastroesophageal reflux cum heartburn and gastric problem are the result of the dysfunction of the stomach and spleen. To an allopathic mind the spleen is seen as part of the lymphatic system. But to TCM scientists, part of the spleen's role is to aid in the digestive processes and functions and to keep the internal organs in place because of its uplifting functions. Stress, irregular meals and excessive cold drinks before meals upset the system. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) further aggravate it. General signs of spleen-stomach dysfunction include abdominal flatulence and gastroesophageal reflux which eventually results in the ulceration of the lining of the stomach wall, giving you gastric problem.

Spleen and Stomach Disorder

In TCM, the definitions of Spleen functions include the digestive processes and function and therefore it is seen to work closely with the stomach system.

TCM Spleen functions, among other things, are:

1)      It rules the transformation and transportation of food and fluids in the body. Therefore it plays a central role in nourishing the body and promoting physical development.

2)      It governs the blood because it provides the extracted energy from the food and sends it to the heart where nutrients are distributed throughout the body through the blood.

3)      Therefore it rules the muscles, flesh and our limps.

The transformation of food into food essence depends upon the function of the Spleen. Once transformed, food essence is then transported and dispersed to the zangfu, four extremities, bones and other parts of the body. If the Spleen’s transportation function is deficient, the food remains in the Stomach and cannot be digested causing abdominal distention and indigestion. If the Spleen is deficient and unable to transport and disperse food essence, yuan qi will be insufficient and the whole body will be lethargic.

If the main complaint is food retention with indigestion, abdominal distention and an aversion to excessive eating, but has normal appetite with no nausea after eating, then the Stomach function is normal and the Spleen is abnormal. Herbs can be used to strengthen the Spleen and assist the transformation and transportation function of food

In TCM, stomach disorder can affect the spleen and any spleen disorder would affect the stomach. The physician Wang Jie Zhai during the Ming dynasty stated that “the Stomach receives and digests food whilst the Spleen governs transportation and transformation, transforming the food into jing qi”. If digested food is unable to transform, there is a Spleen disorder and treatment should tonify the Spleen. However, if a patient is reluctant to eat but feels comfortable after eating, it is a Stomach disorder”.

Spleen-Stomach hot and cold combination

This pattern, commonly seen in clinical practice, is caused by the Spleen and Stomach originally having a deficient cold pattern and if this stagnates for a long period of time it causes heat, therefore this disorder has hot and cold pattern combinations. Symptoms include epigastric distension, a reduced food intake, an aversion to cold food, with the distention and pain becoming worse after consuming cold food, with sour regurgitation (heartburn) and a dry mouth with a bitter taste.

Spleen and Stomach qi stagnation

The pathogenic factors that cause Spleen and Stomach qi stagnation include summer heat damp, wind-cold or internal injury due to the consumption of cold, greasy food along with emotional upset or anger. All these factors will damage the transportation and transformation function of the Spleen and Stomach, manifesting as abdominal distention, indigestion, foul breath, belching, sour regurgitation (heartburn) or abdominal pain with no desire for food.

Treatment for Heartburn Problems

For allopathic people, enzyme, simethicone or charcoal or even surgical correction are used to treat flatulence.

Recommended methods to treat heartburn are:

• Avoid lying down right after eating and within two to three hours of bedtime.

• Elevate the head of the bed four to six inches.

• Avoid eating large meals.

• Other things to avoid:

• Alcohol

• Fried and fatty foods

• Carbonated beverages, citrus fruits or juices and vinegar

• Aspirin and pain medicines

Medications:

• Over-the-counter antacids to neutralize the stomach acid level. After awhile they are not that effective

• Medications designed to tighten the esophagus/stomach barrier or improve stomach emptying to decrease reflux.

• Medications that block acid production: These medications treat acid reflux by decreasing stomach acid output.

For gastric and heartburn problems antacids, H2 receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors are often used.

These above allopathic methods are only symptomatic and do not offer long-term permanent result to these problems. Some synthetic medications can produce long-term harmful side effects. It is advisable to ask them what are the side effects before taking these products. If you do not ask they are not oblige to tell you.

Take a look at some of the research that has come out:

Long-term Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy and Risk of Hip Fracture

Yu-Xiao Yang, MD, MSCE; James D. Lewis, MD, MSCE; Solomon Epstein, MD; David C. Metz, MD ;JAMA. 2006; 296:2947-2953. (JAMA: Journal of American Medical Association)

Context: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may interfere with calcium absorption through induction of hypochlorhydria but they also may reduce bone resorption through inhibition of osteoclastic vacuolar proton pumps.

Objective: To determine the association between PPI therapy and risk of hip fracture.

Design, Setting, and Patients:  A nested case-control study was conducted using the General Practice Research Database (1987-2003), which contains information on patients in the United Kingdom. The study cohort consisted of users of PPI therapy and nonusers of acid suppression drugs who were older than 50 years. Cases included all patients with an incident hip fracture. Controls were selected using incidence density sampling, matched for sex, index date, year of birth, and both calendar period and duration of up-to-standard follow-up before the index date. For comparison purposes, a similar nested case-control analysis for histamine 2 receptor antagonists was performed.

Main Outcome Measure:  The risk of hip fractures associated with PPI use.

Results:  There were 13 556 hip fracture cases and 135 386 controls. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for hip fracture associated with more than 1 year of PPI therapy was 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-1.59). The risk of hip fracture was significantly increased among patients prescribed long-term high-dose PPIs (AOR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.80-3.90; P<.001). The strength of the association increased with increasing duration of PPI therapy (AOR for 1 year, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.15-1.30]; 2 years, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.28-1.56]; 3 years, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.37-1.73]; and 4 years, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.39-1.80]; P<.001 for all comparisons).

Conclusion:  Long-term PPI therapy, particularly at high doses, is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture.

Author Affiliations: Division of Gastroenterology (Drs Yang, Lewis, and Metz), Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Drs Yang and Lewis), Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (Drs Yang and Lewis), and Division of Endocrinology (Dr Epstein), University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia; and Department of Medicine, Doylestown Hospital Research Center, Doylestown, Pa (Dr Epstein).

Dr. Joseph Mercola wrote:

"Heartburn drugs can raise the risk of a broken hip in people older than 50 when they are taken for more than a year, according to a study of more than 145,000 seniors. The researchers believe the drugs may make it more difficult for the body to absorb calcium, leading to weaker bones and fractures. The drugs causing the most problems were of a class known as proton pump inhibitors. Patients who used proton pump inhibitors for more than a year had a 44 percent greater risk of hip fracture, and the longer they took the drug, the greater the risk. And those who took high doses had more than twice the risk of hip fractures. The list of reasons not to take proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for your heartburn is growing. They significantly reduce the amount of acid you have, inhibiting your ability to properly digest food. Reduction of acid in the stomach also diminishes your primary defense mechanism for food-borne infections and will increase your risk of food poisoning. I can assure you the number of people who actually need this drug is less than one in 100 of those taking it. In other words, people are being prescribed drugs for heartburn when it is one of the easiest medical problems to treat. Most people ignore that heartburn is an important clue from their body and rely on a drug to suppress the symptoms. This is the equivalent of driving your car and ignoring the engine light that comes on your dashboard to warn you of a problem. Using a Band-Aid to cover the light allows you to ignore the problem and, although it may solve the problem in the short-term, the implications for ignoring this important clue are quite obvious. You could be looking at more costly repairs by not acknowledging the symptom. You don't need a bone-killing drug, less sleep or even surgery to treat heartburn if you're willing to make these lifestyle changes."

So what is the solution for heartburn? Go Holistic

Because TCM scientists have vast experience and knowledge on the relationship between flatulence, gastroesophageal reflux and gastric problems and the effects of dysfunction spleen-stomach and liver syndrome, they are able to produce products that have long lasting permanent results. Holistic herbal formulation without any side effects can be taken to harmonize the functions of these organs that have been thrown out of sync because of irregular meals, stress etc. Ulceration like surface wounds can be healed permanently. Many have benefited permanently even though they have suffered for a long time, some as long as 30 years. Real treatment or broken hip - you choose!!

Herbal Treatment

The key to treating heartburn problems is to rejuvenate and harmonize the functions of the spleen and stomach.

Scientific researches have proof that the herbal doctors' traditional use of herbs like Herba Agastachis, Radix Platycladi, Radix Curcuma, Fructus Amomum and Rhizoma Corydalis can be used to restore the stomach functions and herbs like Poria Cocos Wolf, Herba Agastachis Rugosus, Rhizoma Atractylodis Alba and Radix Pueraria Lobata can be used to improve spleen functions.

Herba Agastachis: They are used internally to improve the appetite and strengthen the digestive system[238]. Considered to be a "warming" herb, it is used in situations where there is "dampness" within the digestive system, resulting in poor digestion and reduced vitality[254]. [238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31. [254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148

1) Radix Platycladi:

1) Clinical research by western scientists confirmed that Radix Platycladi suppresses digestive inflammation. Research showed that Platycodon inhibits PGE(2) and NO production through its suppression of LPS-induced COX-2 and iNOS expression, and also reduces IL-8 secretion by microglial cells. 22201

2) Clinical research by western scientists confirmed that Radix Platycladi exerts significant anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. Research showed that Platycodon inhibits carrageenan-induced inflammation. 36452

2) Radix Curcuma:

1) Clinical research using a double-blind placebo controlled study by western scientists confirmed that curcumin from Radix Curcuma can be used to treat gastric problems. 613620.

2) Clinical research by western scientists confirmed that Rhizoma Curcuma Longa neutralizes the secretion of gastric acid. 83161

3) Clinical research by western scientists confirmed that Rhizoma Curcuma Longa exhibits gastrointestinal effects, anti-inflammatory, anti-human immunodeficiency virus, anti-bacteria, antioxidant effects and nematocidal activities. Studies shows that Rhizoma Curcuma Longa protects the gastric mucosa against irritants. 723728

3) Fructus Amomum:

1) Clinical research by western scientists confirmed that bornyl acetate, the main ingredient of Amomum Villosum possess strong analgesic effects. 09271

2) Clinical research by western scientists proved that Amomum Villosum possess gastric anti-ulcerogenic effect. Research shows that it inhibit gastric lesions induced by aspirin, ethanol and pylorus ligature. 97839

3) Clinical research by western scientists proved that bornyl acetate, the main ingredient of Amomum villosum shows analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. 24301

4) Clinical research by western scientists proved that Amomum inhibits mast cell-mediated allergic reactions through the inhibition of histamine release and inflammatory cytokine production (treats gastric problems). 79737

5) Clinical research by western scientists proved that Amomum exhibits no cytotoxic activity but exhibit strong antibacterial activity. 54360

6) Clinical research by western scientists proved that the essential oil from Amomum, beta-terpineol (13.4%), beta-pinene (9.4%) and alpha-pinene, exhibit significant antimicrobial activity. 14091

7) In modern western herbalism turmeric is approved by the German Commission E for a variety of digestive disorders such as flatulence, upset stomach and abdominal cramps. Curcumin is useful in helping to break down fats. Turmeric root extracts have been found to reduce secretion of acid from the stomach, protecting against gastro-inflammation and ulcers arising from certain medications, stress or alcohol. In fact, curcumin may prove useful for the treatment of gastric carcinoma. 95900

4) Rhizoma Corydalis:

1) Scientists have isolated a number of alkaloids from the tuber of corydalis, including corydaline, tetrahydropalmatine (THP), dl-Tetrahydropalmatine (dl-THP), protopine, tetrahydrocoptisine, tetrahydrocolumbamine, and corybulbine.³ Of the full range of 20 alkaloids found in the plant, THP is considered to be the most potent. In laboratory research, it has been shown to exhibit a wide number of pharmacological actions on the central nervous system, including analgesic and sedative effects.⁴  (3. Hsu HY. Oriental Materia Medica: A Concise Guide. Long Beach, CA: Oriental Healing Arts Institute, 1986, 448–50. 4. Zhu YP. Chinese Materia Media: Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Applications. Australia: Harwood Academic Publishers, 1998, 445–8.)

2) Clinical research by western scientists from Singapore showed that extracts of the herb Rhizoma Corydalis is useful in the treatment of stomach ulcers. 86521.

5. Poria Cocos Wolf

Function of the herb:

• It has a regulatory effect on human immune cells

1) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Poria cocos improves kidney functions. "The antinephritic (having the effect of reducing or counteracting disease, inflammation, etc in the kidneys) effect of pachyman on original-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats was investigated. Pachyman was given to original-type anti-GBM nephritic rats for 10 days from the day of anti-GBM serum injection. Pachyman prevented urinary protein excretion and the elevation of serum cholesterol content. Histopathological observations of the glomeruli indicated that although the number of nuclei and adhesion to capillary walls of Bowman's capsule in nephritic control rats were significantly increased, pachyman reduced the degree of histopathological changes such as hypercellularity and adhesion as compared to the control group. Although the serum complement CH50 ratio in control group was significantly lower than that in the normal group, the decrease in serum complement CH50 was inhibited by pachyman, and rat C3 deposition in the glomeruli in the pachyman-treated group was significantly reduced. These results suggest that pachyman was effective against original-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats and that the antinephritic mechanisms of pachyman may be partly due to the inhibitory action of this agent on C3 deposition in the glomeruli." "Studies on antinephritic effects of plant components (3): Effect of pachyman, a main component of Poria cocos Wolf on original-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats and its mechanisms." Hattori T, Hayashi K, Nagao T, Furuta K, Ito M, Suzuki Y. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1992 May;59(1):89-96 PMID: 1507662

2) Clinical studies by western scientists have shown that Poria Cocos Wolf has anti-tumor and immune-enhancing activity. "Because of the reported immune-enhancing and anti-tumor activities of some mushroom polysaccharides, their applications as biological response modifiers have attracted significant attention. We have purified a water-soluble beta-glucan PCM3-II, comprising mainly 1right curved arrow 3 and 1right curved arrow 4 linkages, from the mycelia of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Fu-ling). In this study, the growth-inhibitory effect of PCM3-II was further explored on the human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells in vitro. The dose effect of PCM3-II was studied by incubating the breast cancer cells with 12.5-400 microg/ml of the glucan for 72 h. The MTT study showed that PCM3-II reduced proliferation and viability of the MCF-7 cells dose-dependently, so that the cancer-cell growth was decreased by 50% of the control level at 400 microg/ml of the glucan. The time effect of PCM3-II was then investigated by treating the breast cancer cells with 400 microg/ml of the glucan for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Results from the flow cytometry study demonstrated that PCM3-II induced cell-cycle G1 arrest time-dependently and about 90% of the cells in cell cycle were accumulated at G1 phase after 72 h of treatment. The G1 arrest was associated with downregulations of the unscheduled cyclin D1 and cyclin E expressions in the breast cancer cells. Apoptosis was also induced by PCM3-II in the MCF-7 cells, so that the subG1 cells in DNA histogram of the flow cytometry were elevated by 5-fold of the control level at 48 h and by 24-fold at 72 h of treatment. The immunoblot study also showed that the glucan induced depletion of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein, but not the proapoptotic Bax protein, so that the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was elevated in the breast cancer cells at the time when the most prominent apoptosis was also observed. In conclusion, although the detailed mechanism for the anti-tumor activity of the P. cocos beta-glucan still needs further investigation, this study provides preliminary insights into its mode of action and perspectives of its development as a water-soluble anti-tumor agent." Growth-inhibitory effects of a beta-glucan from the mycelium of Poria cocos on human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells: cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis induction." Zhang M; Chiu LC; Cheung PC; Ooi VE Department of Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China. Oncol Rep. 2006; 15(3):637-43 (ISSN: 1021-335X) PreMedline Identifier: 16465424