What's the Root Cause? by Dr Vikki Petersen

Reflux is a symptom, not a diagnosis. In this video, Dr. Vikki explains the two-part valve that keeps acid where it belongs, what a hiatal hernia does when it pulls that valve apart, and the five signs that point to a mechanical problem instead of an acid problem.If your reflux changes when you change position — that's not an acid clue. That's a gravity clue.➡️ Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/🔍 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━✔️ Why reflux is a symptom, not a diagnosis—and what that changes about your treatment✔️ The two-part valve that keeps acid down—and why it was never one valve✔️ What a sliding hiatal hernia does to that valve mechanically✔️ The numbers: 20% → 30% → 70% → 96%—how hernia rates climb with reflux severity✔️ Why reflux that follows your position—lying down, bending over, after meals—is a gravity clue, not an acid clue✔️ Regurgitation vs. heartburn—and the bile your acid blocker doesn't touch✔️ Why acid-reducing medications don't repair the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)✔️ What it actually means when years of pills never fixed the problem✔️ Why bloating, burping, and getting full fast are one problem—not two✔️ How increased abdominal pressure drives symptoms—and why it's not just about weight━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚠️ Please read→ Don't stop any reflux medication because of a video. Rebound acid can be worse than the original symptoms — taper only with your doctor.→ Get evaluated right away for: trouble swallowing, food getting stuck, vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, unexplained weight loss, or chest pain.→ This video is education, not medical advice, and doesn't create a doctor-patient relationship.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🎥 Watch next→ Misdiagnosed? 5 Signs it's your Hiatal Hernia — https://youtu.be/scR4FKAajh8→ Acid Reflux Pill Is Hurting You? — https://youtu.be/LBKcTXjDhKw→ 5 Signs Your Anxiety Is Actually Your Hiatal Hernia — https://youtu.be/-nrA9ttzKfQ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🩺  Work with usWe treat the root cause of hiatal hernia symptoms - not just the symptoms. Root Cause Medical Clinic offers telemedicine nationwide.➡️ Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👩‍⚕️  About Dr. Vikki Petersen, DC, FMCPDr. Vikki Petersen is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years of clinical experience in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, GERD, and digestive root cause medicine. She is the founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic - offering telemedicine consultations nationwide.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚕️ This video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified health provider. Views reflect Dr. Petersen's clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of publication. Individual results may vary.#HiatalHernia #AcidReflux #GERD

Acid reflux pills like Prilosec, Nexium, and Protonix were designed for about 8 weeks of use — yet millions of people stay on them for years.In this video, Dr. Vikki walks through 5 signs your acid reflux medication may be hurting you, why you feel like you can never stop taking it, and what to look at instead.➡️ Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⏱️ What we cover→ Fatigue and low iron or B12→ Muscle cramps and heart flutters — the magnesium connection→ New food reactions and the gluten link→ Why you can't seem to stop — the rebound trap→ The hidden long-term cost — bones, kidneys, gut━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚠️ ImportantDo not stop or change any prescribed medication without your doctor — acid reflux medications need to be tapered, not stopped cold. Reflux medications help real people with real conditions; this video is about the cost of staying on them for years, not a reason to quit yours today. If you have trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or chest pain, seek care.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🩺 Work with usWe find and treat the root cause of acid reflux and hiatal hernia symptoms — not just the symptoms. Root Cause Medical Clinic offers telemedicine nationwide.➡️ Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/📞 727-335-0400━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👩‍⚕️ About Dr. Vikki Petersen, DC, FMCPDr. Vikki Petersen is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years of clinical experience in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, GERD, and digestive root cause medicine. She is the founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic - offering telemedicine consultations nationwide.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚕️ This video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified health provider. Views reflect Dr. Petersen's clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of publication. Individual results may vary.#acidreflux #ppi #hiatalhernia

Have you been told you have GERD, asthma, anxiety, IBS, or heart palpitations—but treatment isn't solving the problem?Your diagnosis may not be wrong... it may be incomplete.In this video, Dr. Vikki explains 5 common symptoms that are frequently blamed on other conditions when a hiatal hernia is actually causing them—or making them worse. You'll learn how a sliding hiatal hernia can affect digestion, breathing, the vagus nerve, and reflux, and why so many people continue to suffer despite normal test results.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔍 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━✔️ What a hiatal hernia is—and why 95% are sliding hiatal hernias✔️ Why bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and trapped gas can affect your diaphragm✔️ Why acid reflux medications don't repair the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)✔️ How hiatal hernias can contribute to shortness of breath✔️ The connection between chronic cough, throat clearing, hoarseness, and silent reflux✔️ How vagus nerve irritation may contribute to heart palpitations and chest pressure✔️ Why endoscopy can miss many sliding hiatal hernias✔️ The truth behind the phrase, "Your hernia is too small to cause symptoms"━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📚 FEATURED TOPICS━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━• Hiatal Hernia• Sliding Hiatal Hernia• Acid Reflux & GERD• Silent Reflux (LPR)• Heartburn• Vagus Nerve• Heart Palpitations• Chest Pressure• Shortness of Breath• Chronic Cough• IBS Symptoms• Bloating & Gas• Constipation & Diarrhea━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚠️ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━This video is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Never stop prescribed medications without speaking with your healthcare provider. Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, progressive difficulty swallowing, or persistent heart palpitations should always be evaluated by a qualified medical professional.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🩺 WORK WITH DR. VIKKI━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━If you're struggling with hiatal hernia symptoms and want to address the root cause, our team at Root Cause Medical Clinic provides comprehensive evaluations and telemedicine consultations for patients across the United States.📅 Book a Consultation:https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/📞 Call us:727-335-0400━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🎥 WATCH NEXT━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━▶️ 5 Signs Your Anxiety Is Actually Your Hiatal Hernia:https://youtu.be/-nrA9ttzKfQ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👩‍⚕️ ABOUT DR. VIKKI━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Dr. Vikki Petersen is a Doctor of Chiropractic, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (FMCP) and founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic. She has helped thousands of patients uncover the underlying causes of chronic digestive disorders, acid reflux, hiatal hernia syndrome, autoimmune conditions, and complex health issues through a root-cause, evidence-informed approach.#HiatalHernia #AcidReflux #GERD #SilentReflux #Heartburn #VagusNerve #DigestiveHealth #RootCauseMedicine #DrVikkiPetersen

Some hiatal hernia symptoms are easy to dismiss - and a few of them are the ones that matter most. In this video, Dr. Vikki walks through the five symptoms you should never ignore, what causes each one, and which symptom means you should call your doctor today.➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/ Call or text us directly: 727-335-0400━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⏱️  What we cover→ Chest pressure and tightness — and how to tell it apart from your heart→ Trouble swallowing or food getting stuck→ Waking up choking or coughing at night→ Heart palpitations and the gut-heart connection→ Shortness of breath and your diaphragm━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚠️  When to seek care immediately→ Vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, sudden severe chest pain, or inability to swallow are emergencies — seek care now.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🩺  Work with Dr Vikki's TeamWe treat the root cause of hiatal hernia symptoms — not just the symptoms. Root Cause Medical Clinic offers telemedicine nationwide.→ Schedule a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👩‍⚕️  About Dr. VikkiDr. Vikki is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years in practice. She specializes in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, hormones, and GERD — finding and fixing root causes, not managing symptoms.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified health provider with any questions about your health. Views expressed are based on Dr. Petersen's clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the publication date. Individual results may vary.#HiatalHernia #HiatalHerniaSymptoms #GutHealth #FunctionalMedicine #GERD

If you've had chest pain after eating that goes away when you burp - or you can't stop burping no matter what you do - this video is for you.Neither of these is random. Neither is psychological. Both are mechanical symptoms of the same root cause: a hiatal hernia that hasn't been properly addressed.In this video I'm explaining exactly what's happening in both cases - and giving you practical steps you can start using today.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔍  WHAT YOU'LL LEARN━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━→ Why trapped gas causes chest pain that mimics a heart attack→ How the vagus nerve turns gas pressure into heart palpitations→ The pressure-peak-relief cycle and why it keeps repeating→ What aerophagia is and why it causes constant uncontrollable burping→ Supragastric belching — the reflex that gets mistaken for anxiety→ Why diaphragmatic breathing strengthens the crura and increases LES pressure (with published research)━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🩺  WORK WITH DR. VIKKI━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Root Cause Medical Clinic sees patients nationwide via telemedicine.→ Schedule a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/📞  727-335-0400 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📺  RELATED VIDEOS━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━→ 5 Signs Your Hiatal Hernia Is Getting Worse→ Why Your Hiatal Hernia Is Causing Your Anxiety→ Why Bloating Triggers Heart Palpitations━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👩‍⚕️  ABOUT DR. VIKKI━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Dr. Vikki is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years in practice. She specializes in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, hormones, and GERD - finding and fixing root causes, not managing symptoms.Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Telemedicine available nationwide⚠️  This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for your individual situation.

🩺 Surgery might sound like the obvious fix - but for most hiatal hernia patients, it's not the permanent solution they were promised. Dr. Vikki Petersen breaks down exactly why, and what to do instead.➡️ Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⏱️ In This Video→ Which hiatal hernias actually need surgery - and which don't→ The types of surgery and how they differ→ Short-term success vs. the long-term reality→ Why the repair keeps coming undone→ The root cause almost every surgeon skips━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚠️ Seek Emergency Care If You Experience:Sudden severe chest or upper abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or inability to keep food or liquid down. Don't wait.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━About Dr. Vikki Petersen, DC, FMCPDr. Vikki Petersen is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years of clinical experience in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, GERD, and digestive root cause medicine. She is the founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic - offering telemedicine consultations nationwide.🌐 rootcausemedicalclinics.com | 📍 Clearwater, FL | 💻 Telehealth Available Nationwide━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚕️ This video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified health provider. Views reflect Dr. Petersen's clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of publication. Individual results may vary.#HiatalHernia #HiatalHerniaSurgery #GutHealth #FunctionalMedicine #GERD #DigestiveHealth #RootCauseMedicine #DrVikkiPetersen #HiatalHerniaTreatment

If you've been told your symptoms are "just anxiety" but treatment never fully worked, there may be a physical cause that's been missed. In this video, Dr. Vikki explains how a hiatal hernia can irritate the vagus nerve and produce the exact symptoms we call anxiety - and the five signs that point to your hernia instead of your mind.➡️ Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⏱️  What we cover→ Why symptoms hit after meals, not when you're worried→ Heart palpitations and the vagus nerve→ Breathlessness that calming down won't fix→ Throat and chest tightness with no stress behind it→ Nighttime panic when you lie down━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚠️  ImportantChest pain and palpitations should always be evaluated by a doctor. Anxiety is a real condition — this video is about a physical cause that is often overlooked, not a reason to stop any treatment.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🩺  Work with usWe treat the root cause of hiatal hernia symptoms - not just the symptoms. Root Cause Medical Clinic offers telemedicine nationwide.➡️ Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👩‍⚕️  About Dr. Vikki Petersen, DC, FMCPDr. Vikki Petersen is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years of clinical experience in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, GERD, and digestive root cause medicine. She is the founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic - offering telemedicine consultations nationwide.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚕️ This video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified health provider. Views reflect Dr. Petersen's clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of publication. Individual results may vary.#hiatalhernia #anxiety #vagusnerve

If you have a hiatal hernia and you're still suffering despite medication and diet changes, something you're doing every single day may be making it worse. Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/These aren't unusual triggers. They're completely ordinary habits that nobody has told you are a problem - because most doctors aren't looking at this mechanically.In this video I'm walking you through 5 everyday habits that are directly aggravating your hiatal hernia - and what to do instead. Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Telemedicine available nationwide | https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔍  WHAT YOU'LL LEARN━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━→ Why grazing and snacking disrupts your gut's natural cleaning cycle (MMC)→ What happens to your hiatal hernia every time you strain on the toilet→ Why sparkling water may be causing more damage than you think→ How tight clothing and sucking in your stomach restricts your diaphragm→ How to tell if chronic stress is mechanically aggravating your hernia daily━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Root Cause Medical Clinic sees patients nationwide via telemedicine.→ Schedule a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📺  RELATED VIDEOS━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━→ 5 Signs Your Hiatal Hernia Is Getting Worse: https://youtu.be/wER9WM9jToY→ Hiatal Hernia ATTACK Feels Like This: https://youtu.be/zVzSVNyDLkY→ GERD, Silent Reflux, or Hiatal Hernia - What's Actually Causing Your Symptoms?: https://youtu.be/MNA8lNkJuEI━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👩‍⚕️  ABOUT DR. VIKKI━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Dr. Vikki is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years in practice. She specializes in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, hormones, and GERD — finding and fixing root causes, not managing symptoms.⚠️  This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for your individual situation.

If your acid reflux is worst at night - waking up with acid coming up, chest pressure, throat burning, or palpitations - you are not imagining it.➡️ Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Functional Medicine | Telehealth AvailableNighttime is mechanically the hardest time for a sliding hiatal hernia, and most patients have never had anyone explain whyIn this video I'm walking you through exactly why your hiatal hernia behaves differently at night - and for each reason, a practical tip you can start using tonight.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔍  WHAT YOU'LL LEARN━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━→ Why lying flat eliminates the mechanical advantage you have during the day - and how to get it back→ How eating close to bedtime compounds overnight instability→ Which side you sleep on and why it matters more than you think→ Why you wake up at 2–3 AM even when you were careful about dinner→ Why the morning cortisol surge causes your worst symptoms before you've eaten anything━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🩺  WORK WITH DR. VIKKI━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Root Cause Medical Clinic sees patients nationwide via telemedicine.→ Schedule a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📺  RELATED VIDEOS━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━→ 5 Signs Your Hiatal Hernia Is Getting Worse→ Why Your Hiatal Hernia Is Causing Your Anxiety→ 5 Everyday Habits That Make Your Hiatal Hernia Worse━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👩‍⚕️  ABOUT DR. VIKKI━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Dr. Vikki Petersen is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years of clinical experience specializing in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, GERD, and the root causes of digestive symptoms. She is the founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic, offering telemedicine consultations nationwide.🌐 Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Functional Medicine | Telehealth Available Nationwide⚕️Medical Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified health provider with any questions about your health. Views expressed are based on Dr. Petersen's clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the publication date. Individual results may vary.

If you have a hiatal hernia and you also struggle with anxiety, unexplained unease, or panic that seems to come out of nowhere - this video is for you.➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/Call us directly: 727-335-0400It is not in your head. It is not a separate problem. Your gut and your brain are in constant communication through the vagus nerve, and when your hiatal hernia is disrupting that communication, anxiety is a direct neurological result.In this video I'm walking you through exactly how your hiatal hernia is producing anxiety - the specific mechanisms - and why addressing the gut is the missing piece nobody has offered you.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔍 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━→ How vagus nerve irritation from your hernia keeps you in fight-or-flight→ Why chronic bloating and distension produce a direct anxiety response in the brain→ The evolutionary reason your brain treats gut distension as a threat→ How dysbiosis disrupts serotonin and GABA production - the chemistry of gut-caused anxiety→ Why the anxiety-gut loop doesn't stop on its own without addressing the root cause━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🩺 WORK WITH DR. VIKKI'S TEAM━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Root Cause Medical Clinic sees patients nationwide via telemedicine.→ Schedule a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📺 RELATED VIDEOS━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━→ 5 Signs Your Hiatal Hernia Is Getting Worse: https://youtu.be/wER9WM9jToY→ Why Bloating Triggers Heart Palpitations: https://youtu.be/PZvcShFPy3k→ GERD vs. Hiatal Hernia vs. Silent Reflux: https://youtu.be/MNA8lNkJuEI━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👩‍⚕️ ABOUT DR. VIKKI━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Dr. Vikki is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years in practice. She specializes in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, hormones, and GERD — finding and fixing root causes, not managing symptoms.Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Telemedicine available nationwide⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified health provider with any questions about your health. Views expressed are based on Dr. Petersen's clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the publication date. Individual results may vary.

Most people with a hiatal hernia are told to manage symptoms. But a hiatal hernia can get worse - and it doesn't have to be getting larger.  Functional worsening can happen even when your scan looks the same.➡️ Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Functional Medicine | Telehealth AvailableIn this video, I'm walking you through 5 specific signs that your sliding hiatal hernia is progressing functionally, not just flaring. If you recognize three or more of these, it's time to address the root cause.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔍 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━→ Why symptoms moving to your throat or voice is a warning sign→ What difficulty swallowing actually means at the tissue level→ Why position-dependent symptoms signal functional instability→ Why your medication working less is a structural signal, not a dosing problem→ What it means when symptoms happen without eating at all━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📺 RELATED VIDEOS━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━▶️ Hiatal Hernia Attack Feels Like This: https://youtu.be/zVzSVNyDLkY▶️ Why Bloating Triggers Heart Palpitations: https://youtu.be/PZvcShFPy3k▶️ GERD, Silent Reflux, or Hiatal Hernia - What's Actually Causing Your Symptoms?: https://youtu.be/MNA8lNkJuEI👩‍⚕️ About Dr. Vikki Petersen:Dr. Vikki Petersen is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years of clinical experience specializing in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, GERD, and the root causes of digestive symptoms. She is the founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic, offering telemedicine consultations nationwide.🌐 Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Functional Medicine | Telehealth Available Nationwide⚕️Medical Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified health provider with any questions about your health. Views expressed are based on Dr. Petersen's clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the publication date. Individual results may vary.#hiatalhernia #gerd #acidreflux #functionalmedicine

Struggling with hiatal hernia and not getting real answers? Book a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/ Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Functional Medicine | Telehealth AvailableIf you've been told surgery is your only option — or that you'll be on PPIs forever — there are some things you need to know first.In this video, Dr. Vikki Petersen breaks down 5 of the most common hiatal hernia myths and sets the record straight with research-backed facts.THE 5 HIATAL HERNIA MYTHS:❌ MYTH #1: Surgery is a permanent fix Nearly 1 in 4 patients require PPI medication again within a few years. Up to 50% experience complications including difficulty swallowing, bloating, and inability to burp or vomit.❌ MYTH #2: PPIs are safe to take long-term PPIs are only approved for 2 weeks at a time. Long-term use is linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, osteoporosis, dementia, stomach cancer, and a weakened microbiome.❌ MYTH #3: Acid reflux always causes heartburn 50% of reflux is completely silent. It may show up as chronic cough, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing — and some reflux is caused by too little acid or bile, making PPIs completely ineffective.❌ MYTH #4: Endoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis Endoscopy misses the most common type of hiatal hernia nearly 48% of the time. Manometry and impedance pH monitoring are far more accurate — but rarely used.❌ MYTH #5: You have to be overweight to have hiatal hernia Weight alone isn't the issue — visceral fat is. A person can be a normal weight and still have dangerous levels of visceral fat driving abdominal pressure and symptoms.ABOUT DR. VIKKI:Dr. Vikki Petersen is a functional medicine doctor and founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic. She specializes in gut health, digestive disorders, and identifying the root cause of chronic symptoms rather than managing them indefinitely with medication.─────────────────────────────────────────Disclaimer: Educational content reviewed by licensed medical staff. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read or heard here. The information shared reflects clinical experience and current scientific research at the time of publication. Individual results may vary, and no guarantees of specific outcomes are made. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.#HiatalHernia #HiatalHerniaMyths #PPIRisks #AcidReflux #FunctionalMedicine #RootCauseMedical #DrVikkiPetersen #GutHealth #RefluxRelief #DigestiveHealth #HiatalHerniaSyndrome #SilentReflux

Struggling with acid reflux, bloating, or unexplained symptoms? Book a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Functional Medicine | Telehealth AvailableIf you’re dealing with multiple symptoms like heartburn, shortness of breath, or palpitations and not getting clear answers, you’re not alone. These issues are often treated separately—but may actually share the same root cause.In this episode, Dr. Vikki Petersen explains the 4 major symptoms of hiatal hernia syndrome and why they occur.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:- The 4 key symptoms of hiatal hernia and how they’re connected- How mechanical changes in the diaphragm and stomach lead to reflux and bloating- The role of the vagus nerve in symptoms like palpitations and shortness of breath- How inflammation and gut imbalances contribute to worsening symptoms- Practical ways to begin addressing the root cause through diet, lifestyle, and testingABOUT DR. VIKKI:Dr. Vikki Petersen is a functional medicine doctor and founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic. She specializes in gut health, autoimmune conditions, and identifying the root cause of chronic symptoms.Disclaimer: Educational content reviewed by licensed medical staff. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read or heard here. The information shared reflects clinical experience and current scientific research at the time of publication. Individual results may vary, and no guarantees of specific outcomes are made. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.#FunctionalMedicine #RootCauseMedical #DrVikkiPetersen #GutHealth #HiatalHernia #AcidReflux #Bloating

What is the most important step you can take for gut health and preventing disease? It costs you nothing additional to fill this gap in your diet.In the episode, Dr Vikki Petersen explains a critical missing element in the American diet which is setting us up for weight gain, diabetes, cancer risk and depression.We're talking about short chain fatty acids (SCFA) - a type of fat produced in your colon from microbes. They are named: butyrate, propionate and acetate.Benefits? Stabilizes blood sugar Supports your metabolism Strengthens your immune system Balances brain healthPractical examples: Study of young men with diabetes - improved the microbes (bacteria) in their gut and they instantly had better blood sugar control. People with cancer who “failed” immunotherapy - a treatment that requires your immune system to be strong enough to arm a defense against the cancer cells. Once their microbes were restored to a healthy level they successfully responded to the immunotherapy. Interesting melanoma research in the references below. Did you know - people born in 1990s are 4x more likely to develop rectal cancer and 2x more likely to develop colon cancer in their lifetime as compared to their parents who were born in the 1950s? People with depression - “gave” their microbes (via fecal transplant) to mice and the mice got depressed. Those humans with anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, Alzheimer’s - do NOT have healthy microbiomes.How it works: Your gut is “outside” your body - mouth to your anus is closed system. On the other side of the gut lining is 70% of your immune system The microbes IN your gut maintain the gut lining. When you eat fiber it's untouched until it reaches your colon Why? We don’t have the enzymes to break it down - only microbes do.What are we talking about? Soluble fiber - remains intact until it gets into the colon and then a feeding frenzy ensues by your microbes because soluble fiber is their preferred fuel. NOW the magic happens! The microbes eat the fiber and they release a fat called SCFA.  SCFAs then enter your bloodstream and within seconds are circulating everywhere with healing effects to your metabolism, insulin levels, decreasing inflammation and protecting your brain SCFAs have multiple mechanisms by which they can destroy tumor cells - they do this by empowering your immune system.Now the problem: These amazing SCFAs are produced by eating fiber and most Americans (95%) don’t get even the bare minimum. 38gm in men, 25 gm in women. Soluble fiber found in ALL plants - fruit, vegetable, nut, seed and bean.How to get the healthiest microbiome? Fiber? YES Diversity is key - different plants' fiber feed different microbes. Eat 30 plants per week = healthiest guts.Note on Carnivore: they say you don’t need fiber but there are no human studies to support robust SFFA production and microbial diversity without fiber.Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode 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. The views expressed are based on my clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the date of publication. Individual results may vary.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: (727) 335-0400

Struggling with bloating and heart palpitations? ➡️ Book a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/ Root Cause Medical Clinic | Clearwater, FL | Functional Medicine | Telehealth AvailableIf you've been told your heart is fine but you're still dealing with palpitations, irregular rhythm, or chest tightness after meals — your heart may not be the problem. Bloating and hiatal hernia can trigger real cardiac symptoms through a connection most doctors never check.In this video, Dr. Vikki Petersen explains why bloating triggers heart palpitations, the role of the gastrocardiac reflex, and how hiatal hernia creates mechanical pressure on the heart through the diaphragm.- Why a bloated or distended stomach can directly trigger heart palpitations and irregular rhythm — including AFib- The gastrocardiac reflex: how your gut and your heart communicate through the vagus nerve- The anatomical reason even a small hiatal hernia can irritate the heart's outer layer (without anything being structurally wrong with your heart)- Why treating the gut alone — or the vagus nerve alone — is rarely enough for lasting relief- How shallow breathing caused by bloating creates a cycle that worsens both digestion and cardiac symptoms- The root cause approach to resolving these symptoms rather than managing them indefinitelyWatch my vagal AFib and hiatal hernia video here: https://youtu.be/vx2x00uCcf8Watch my Gas and Bloating are NOT Normal video here: https://youtu.be/uhz0rVli53YDr. Vikki Petersen is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years of clinical experience specializing in gut health, hiatal hernia syndrome, and the root causes of digestive and cardiac symptoms. She is the founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic, offering telemedicine consultations nationwide.This video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified health provider with questions about your health or treatment options. Views expressed are based on Dr. Petersen's clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the publication date. Individual results may vary.#FunctionalMedicine #RootCauseMedical #DrVikkiPetersen #GutHealth #HiatalHernia #HeartPalpitations #GastrocardiacReflex #VagusNerve #Bloating #AFib

Have you rushed to the ER convinced you were having a heart attack?  You had heart palpitations, shortness of breath and anxiety out the roof? You also suffer with acid reflux, bloat, gas, and/or constipation.Every test comes back normal, but your heart still races, the shortness of breath impacts your day to day life and your gut is a mess.Your cardiologist assures you there's nothing wrong, yet you feel "off" and keep suffering.In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains what the 3 missing "pieces" of Hiatal Hernia Syndrome are and why they need to be evaluated in order to achieve successful relief.We utilize a patient-tailored approach - Personalized medicine, because there isn't a "one size fits all" solution.Diet, posture, breathing - why “one size doesn’t fit all”Symptoms influenced by: diet, digestion efficiency, motility within the gut, microbiome health, diaphragmatic breathing, and vagal nerve tone1. DIET  Recent work highlights that diet composition—not just acid suppression—matters for reflux and hiatal hernia symptom burden. Interventions focusing on reduced overall sugar intake, increased fiber, and mindful eating patternsSMOKING & WEIGHT  Risk factor data indicate abdominal pressure, physical workload, smoking, and central adiposity are risk factors.2. MOTILITY & MICROBIOME  Current GERD/hiatal hernia literature recognizes the influence of gut motility and possibly microbiome interactions on reflux patterns.PPIs, given for reflux, can make it worse - can’t be the only treatment. You can’t feel the reflux but it’s still there. It doesn’t correct motility or pressure issues3. STRESS  Stress reduction and vagal nerve influenceTIPSEat smaller mealsStop eating 3–4 hours before bedAvoid tight clothingChew thoroughlyAvoid large mixed meals late at nightPay attention to early fullness, bloating, or nauseaWalk after mealsStay upright for at least 20–30 minutes after eating.Belly breathing - before meals and practiced during the dayDiaphragm part of anti-reflux barrier so needs to be exercisedAddress constipation and gas - increases pressure#hiatalhernia #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.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 consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/📞 Call us directly: (727) 335-0400About 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.

🔥 Still dealing with acid reflux after cutting out all the "bad" foods? Book a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/ | Clearwater, FL | Telehealth AvailableYou eliminated coffee, wine, and spicy food - and your reflux is still there. If standard dietary advice hasn't worked, these three foods are likely why, and most doctors never think to check them.In this video, Dr. Vikki Petersen breaks down three commonly overlooked foods that silently drive acid reflux through inflammation, delayed gastric emptying, and a weakened lower esophageal sphincter - not excess acid.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🧠 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN→ Why gluten triggers acid reflux even without a celiac diagnosis→ The dairy connection most doctors miss and how it affects your esophageal valve→ Why a popular "digestive aid" is actually making your reflux worse→ How these foods drive reflux through gut inflammation - not acid overproduction→ Why finding the root cause of reflux means looking beyond antacids and standard elimination diets━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔎 WANT TO FIND THE ROOT CAUSE?Our licensed medical team at Root Cause Medical Clinic can help identify what's truly driving your digestive symptoms.➡️ Learn more or book a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/📞 Call us: (727) 335-0400━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👩‍⚕️ ABOUT DR. VIKKI PETERSENDr. Vikki Petersen, DC, CFMP, is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with 40 years of clinical experience, specializing in gut health, acid reflux, GERD, and chronic digestive conditions conventional medicine often misses. She is the founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic, where a multidisciplinary team of licensed APRNs and clinicians provides functional medicine care focused on gut, hormone, and metabolic health.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚠️ DISCLAIMERThis video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified health provider with questions about your health or treatment options. Views expressed are based on Dr. Petersen's clinical experience and current scientific understanding as of the publication date. Individual results may vary.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━#AcidReflux #GERD #FunctionalMedicine #RootCauseMedical #DrVikkiPetersen #GutHealth #AcidRefluxRelief #DigestiveHealth

Fatty liver prevalence is 40% and most people don’t know they have it. It's closely tied to diabetes, heart disease, and long-term liver damage. In this episode, Dr Vikki Petersen explains the association between PPI medication and fatty liver.Secret #1 Observational studies have found that people taking proton pump inhibitors have a higher prevalence of Fatty Liver Risk -dose and duration dependent (1–2 years)The mechanism: gut microbiome disruptionPPIs reduce stomach acid → that changes what survives the upper GI tract.leads to: Increased bacterial overgrowth - SIBO link - PPIs are strongly linked with SIBO - creates gas, pressure and reflux. Toxin-producing bacteria - lead to liver fat accumulation PPI → SIBO → pressure + endotoxins → reflux + fatty liverPPIs change the gut in a way that makes the body send more fat to the liver.Secret #2: Your gut talks to your liverAlmost everything absorbed from your intestines travels straight to the liver first. 1. The wrong bacteria start to grow when stomach acid is suppressed. You start getting more bacteria that create irritating byproducts.2. Those bacteria produce toxins3. The gut lining gets irritated and more permeable4. Those toxins slip into the bloodstream5. They go straight to the liver. Blood from the intestines goes directly to the liver through the portal vein. 6. The liver reacts like it’s under attack and activates an inflammatory response. 7. Changes how the liver handles fat- burning is less efficient and the fat export system gets impaired - the result is fat accumulating inside liver cells.8. Fat plus inflammation is where the real problem startsThat combination is what can drive progression from simple fatty liver toward a more damaged, inflamed liver.Secret #3 - fix the gut signal coming into your liver - the focus isn’t on the liver but what’s being sent to it.Restore stomach acid or stop suppressing it. It’s how you prevent bacterial overgrowth.Reduce overgrowth and fermentation TIPS: Stop snacking Space meals 4 hours apart - MMC cleans house Chew thoroughly  Walk after mealsStrengthen gut barrierEat whole foods - add polyphenols (berries, broccoli, tea, cacao,nuts and seeds)FiberGet adequate high quality proteinRemove triggers -  ultra-processed foods, alcohol, sugarLower the fat coming into your liver Reduce insulin spikes w/ less frequent eating Reduce excess sugar/fructose intake Improve insulin sensitivity w/ movement after meals and exercise - aerobic and resistance training helps manage blood sugar levels for 24 to 72 hours.If you’ve tried the basics and aren’t improving, it usually means something deeper is driving it—and that’s where a more comprehensive evaluation makes the difference.That’s exactly what we focus on—identifying and addressing the root causes behind these patterns, not just managing the surface symptomsevaluation of:SIBO / dysbiosisGut barrier functionInflammation markersInsulin resistance / metabolic markersLiver function beyond basic labsReferences: 1. Pyo JH et al. Proton pump inhibitors use and the risk of fatty liver disease 2021, Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology2. Yu H et al. Proton pump inhibitor use is associated with increased hepatic steatosis in US adults 2024, Biomedical Reports3. Huang H et al. Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors is associated with increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease2024, Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology4. Fossmark R et al. Changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota induced by proton pump inhibitors 2024, Microorganisms#guthealth #acidreflux #fattyliver Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is intended for educational p

Have you noticed an increase in acid reflux with age?Some studies cite the increased risk at ~47% in women during perimenopause and menopause.Women using hormone replacement have an increased risk of reflux of 40 to 70% as compared to women not using hormones.In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains why women tend to experience more reflux as they approach perimenopause and menopause.This has prompted the question of whether those on hormones had to be put on a PPI to handle their reflux OR stop their hormones to settle the heartburn?You don’t need to make that decision.You can enjoy the benefits of HRT on your heart, your bones, your brain and your urinary tract without having to put up with the dangerous side effects of PPIs - on your heart, your bones, your brain and your kidneys!  Isn’t that interesting - The negative side effects on your organs mirror the benefits of HRT on the same organs!The good news is that the deeper causes of heartburn and reflux can be addressed without losing the benefits of hormones.Studies show women in perimenopause/menopause are several times more likely to experience reflux than younger women, with some surveys finding ~40–47% reporting symptoms in midlife.Large pooled studies have shown that women using systemic hormone therapy have higher odds of reporting GERD symptoms compared with women who haven’t used it — roughly 29–66% higher in various analyses.Is this associative or causal?Perimenopausal/menopausal women report more reflux even without hormone therapy, likely due to shifting estrogen and progesterone levels, slower gut motility, weight distribution changes, and other age-related factors.Most women do experience an increase in heartburn with age, especially around perimenopause and menopause.Some women notice a change in reflux when starting hormone therapy — and studies show a higher prevalence of reported reflux in hormone users — but this doesn’t prove HRT is a direct cause in every case.The mechanisms likely involve both hormone-related smooth muscle effects AND other underlying factors (pressure, motility, hernia mechanics, weight patterns), which is why the “full story” is more complex than just hormones alone.Progesterone does relax smooth muscle affecting the lower esophageal sphincter. So yes — in some women, HRT can lead to reflux.But here’s what matters.If your diaphragm is strong, abdominal pressure normal, stomach empties properly, and thee's no hiatal hernia — the small hormonal shift usually won’t cause symptoms.Reflux isn’t caused by acid alone. And it’s rarely caused by hormones alone.SolutionsIf a woman needs HRT for: hot flashes, bone protection, brain or mood support, genitourinary (bladder) syndrome The answer is not: “Stop HRT and start a PPI.”,  but evaluate:✔ Diaphragm function✔ Constipation✔ Abdominal pressure causes✔ Weight distribution ✔ Stomach motilityIn other words: fix the gut.References:1. Jacobson BC et al. (2008) Postmenopausal hormone use and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, Archives of Internal Medicine2. Aldhaleei WA et al. (2023) The association between menopausal hormone therapy and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Menopause3. Close H et al. (2012) Hormone replacement therapy is associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a retrospective cohort study, BMC Gastroenterology4. Saleh S et al. (2022/2023) Effect of Hormonal Replacement Therapy on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and its Complications in Post-Menopausal Women, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology#acidreflux #guthealth #rootcausemedicine #menopause Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice,

3 Root Causes of Burning Stomach1. Pressure2. Poor digestion and resulting fermentation3. Irritated stomach liningIn this episode, Dr Vikki Petersen explains 3 reasons why an acidic stomach develops and what you can do to dramatically improve your symptoms.Most “acid stomach” symptoms are driven by pressure pushing contents upward, not acid being overproduced. Key drivers:Increased intra-abdominal pressureHiatal herniaConstipationCentral weight gainTight diaphragm / poor breathing mechanicsWhen pressure rises, acid moves where it shouldn’t.If pressure inside the abdomen rises, acid gets pushed upward. That’s when it burns.What actually lowers pressure:Stop overeating (smaller meals)Eat slowerFix constipationReduce bloating triggersPractice diaphragmatic breathingDon’t lie down within 2–3 hours of eatingThis alone has the potential to resolve symptoms for many people.Improve Digestion so Food doesn’t Sit and FermentIf food sits too long:It fermentsGas formsPressure risesReflux followsWhat can fix this:Chew thoroughlyAvoid constant snackingSpace meals 4–5 hours apartSupport motility (walking after meals)Identify food triggersAcid suppression does not fix fermentation.Calm the Irritated LiningSometimes the acid is normal — the lining is just sensitive.Common irritants:NSAIDsAlcoholUltra-processed foodsHigh sugar dietChronic stressH. pylori infection (bacteria in stomach)What helps:Remove irritantsShort-term targeted support (not lifelong suppression)  - e.g. antacidImprove sleepLower stressRestore gut barrier functionIf you feel like your stomach has too much acid, here’s the truth — most of the time it’s not too much acid.It’s pressure.It’s poor digestion creating gas.Or it’s an irritated lining that’s become sensitive.Lower the pressure.Improve digestion.Calm the inflammation.That fixes the cause — not just the symptom.References:1. Pandolfino et al., 2006 "High-resolution manometry of the EGJ: evidence of a pressure gradient driving reflux" Gastroenterology2. Kahrilas et al., 2012 "The acid pocket and its role in GERD", American Journal of Gastroenterology3. Penagini et al., 1998 "Mechanisms of postprandial gastroesophageal reflux in humans", Gastroenterology4. Wu et al., 2004 "Overeating and GERD symptoms" American Journal of Gastroenterology5. Parkman et al., 2004 "Delayed gastric emptying in GERD" American Journal of Gastroenterology6. Piche et al., 2003 "Colonic fermentation influences LES relaxation" Gastroenterology7. Freedberg et al., 2015 "The impact of PPIs on the gut microbiome", Gastroenterology8. Imhann et al., 2016 "Proton pump inhibitors affect gut microbiome", Gut9. Vanuytsel et al., 2014 "Psychological stress and intestinal barrier function" Gut10. Fass et al., 2001 "Functional heartburn: acid is not always the cause" Gastroenterology#acidreflux #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.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.&

Constipation isn’t just about what you eat — it’s about whether your gut is getting the right signals to move. In the episode, Dr Vikki Petersen explains why you may be suffering from constipation.3 secrets:1.Your Gut Runs on Nerve SignalsYour gut runs on nerve signals -which are highly energy dependent.Vitamin B1 is required to convert glucose → energyWith lower B1 → weaker nerve signaling - the gut isn’t getting strong, signals and the result is constipation.Research- thiamine deficiency rates from about 20% to 90% depending on the population studied. Obese people - deficiency of 15% to 29%. Diabetics - B1 75% lower in the blood.High carbohydrate diet puts you at risk because glucose in blood requires more B1 to break down the carbs thereby creating a higher demand 2.Your Gut Muscles Have to RespondThe nerves send the signal, but the muscles have to respond to the signal.muscles need to contract and relax in sequenceResearch -magnesium intake is commonly inadequate.~60% of American adults do not meet the recommended magnesium intake. ~45% of Americans may be magnesium deficient.When magnesium levels low, those signals weaken and slow the gut.Constipation, reflux, and bloating often occur together -they are all motility disorders. stomach emptying slows → refluxsmall intestine motility slows → fermentation of bacteria leading to infection, bloat, gas, SIBO, leaky gut, increased IAP. Leads to hiatal hernia.colon motility slows → constipationIt’s all one issue: with constipation you cannot have a healthy gut.Why?Refined grains remove minerals- whole grains contain magnesium, refined don't.Ultra-processed food dietsCertain medications - like PPIs, antibiotics, diuretics Magnesium dense foods: pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds (also B1), almonds, legumes (also have B1), dark leafy greens. Dark Chocolate and avocado.3. How Modern Diets Slow Your Gut - SAD (standard American diet) works against motilityUltra-processed foods, sugar can:disrupt the gut microbiome - more bad bacteriareduce beneficial bacterial byproducts that stimulate motilityincrease inflammation - fatigue, feeling “off” and mood changesCauses B1 and magnesium depletion.People are missing good compounds:Polyphenols -plants, berries, tea, and herbs. Support beneficial bacteria and motility.Fiber -start low and slow: Insoluble fiber feeds microbes that produce short-chain fatty acids.with bad bacteria the fiber can eat that too - so you feel worse.SCFA - produced when good gut bacteria ferment fiber. They cause production of serotonin and brain makes “happy” mood hormones. The Simple Foundations Still MatterBasics still support motility:Hydration Movement -activity stimulates intestinal contractionsPolyphenol-rich foods Reducing ultra-processed foods and - deplete B1B1 is high in pork, beef and fishTIPSIf hard stool → magnesium citrate or oxide - 200 - 400 mg/dayIf stress,  or motility → magnesium glycinate ~300 -400 mg/day.References:1. Camilleri M. Gastrointestinal complications of diabetes.2007, New England Journal of Medicine2. Bharucha AE, et al. American Gastroenterological Association technical review on constipation. 2013, Gastroenterology3. Mori H et al. Magnesium oxide in constipation. 2021, Nutrients4. DiNicolantonio JJ et al. Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis. 2018, Open Heart5. Lonsdale D. A review of the biochemistry, metabolism and clinical benefits of thiamin(e). 2006, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine6. Makki K et al. The impact of dietary fiber on gut microbiota in host health and disease. 2018, Cel

Reflux that keeps coming back is usually not just an acid problem — it’s a pressure and mechanics problem.In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains why getting "relief" from an antacid is not addressing the core of the problem. In fact, it's perpetuating it.Acid blockers (PPIs and H2 blockers) reduce stomach acid and can decrease the burning sensation. That can be appropriate short-term, especially with esophagitis. But these medications do not address the root cause of reflux - it isn't too much acid. It's actually a pressure problem. When pressure within your abdomen increases, stomach emptying slows, or a hiatal hernia develops, stomach contents can move upward regardless of acid level. Lowering acid may reduce symptoms, but it does not correct the mechanical dysfunction being caused by the pressure.Why stomach acid matters. Why do you need acid in your stomach?• Protein digestion begins in the stomach• It's a detergent/disinfectant that kills bad organisms.• Absorption of minerals only occurs due to the presence of acid: e.g. calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc• Release and absorption of vitamin B12 and folatePotential risks associated with long-term acid suppressionLong-term PPI use has been associated in the literature with:• Increased risk of nutrient deficiencies (B12, magnesium, iron)• Higher rates of C. difficile infection - a bacterial infection that can be life-threatening• Altered gut microbiome - more bad bacteria present in the gut than good bacteria leading to inflammation, mood disorders, and more.• Increased fracture risk - osteoporosis due to lack of calcium absorption• Kidney injury (acute and chronic)• Increased risk of respiratory infections, e.g. pneumoniaThese associations do not mean every patient will experience harm, but they highlight that acid suppression can have negative health impacts across many organs and systems.Addressing the root contributorsLong-term improvement often requires evaluating:• Intra-abdominal pressure (belly fat, chronic straining due to constipation)• Diaphragm function and breathing mechanics• Hiatal hernia alignment• Delayed stomach emptying• Dysbiosis or SIBO• Food triggers and inflammatory loadThe goal should not simply be eliminating the burn.The goal is restoring function and integrity.References1. Lam JR, et al. Proton pump inhibitor and histamine-2 receptor antagonist use and vitamin B12 deficiency. JAMA. 20132.Hess MW, et al. Systematic review: hypomagnesaemia induced by PPIs. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2012. 3. Yang YX, et al. Long-term PPI therapy and risk of hip fracture.JAMA. 2006. 4. Xie Y, et al. Long-term kidney outcomes among PPI users without intervening acute kidney injury. J Am Soc Nephrol. 20175. Janarthanan S, et al. Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea and PPI therapy: meta-analysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 20126. Kahrilas PJ, et al. Approaches to the diagnosis and grading of hiatal hernia. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2008.#acidreflux #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.Many viewers ask what to do next if symptoms persist. Our licensed medical team at Root Cause Medical Clinic can help you identify t

Did you know a single course of antibiotics is linked to a 25% higher risk of anxiety and depression?Because antibiotics don’t just target the infection, the bad bacteria — they can disrupt the good gut bacteria that help regulate your brain.Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains why there's an increased risk of anxiety and depression after taking antibiotics.Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria alike. Fewer beneficial bacteria means less control over inflammation.Inflammation can disrupt serotonin, dopamine, and the circuits that determine whether your brain feels calm or anxious.If you already deal with reflux, bloating, or constipation — common in hiatal hernia — the impact can be bigger and recovery slower.The increased risk shows up mainly in the months after treatment and can persist for up to about a year or longer. Many species rebound in weeks to a few months.Some do not fully return, especially after repeated exposure of antibiotics.Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced as a result of an abundance and variety of good bacteria. They strengthen the gut barrier - preventing leaky gut. With less leak, fewer inflammatory signals reach circulation resulting in less stimulation of brain immune cells.Too much activation of brain immune cells is associated with anxiety, depression, cognitive changes, and neurodegeneration.How does Hiatal Hernia fit in?Many people with hiatal hernia already have motility issues and microbial imbalance.That environment makes infections more likely.More infections often mean more antibiotics. And each round can deepen the imbalance.Hiatal hernia commonly overlaps with:impaired gastric emptyingaltered pressure gradientsreflux of stomach and small intestinal contentschanges in motilityfrequent acid suppression.All of those influence which organisms survive and where they grow.When movement and clearance are off, microbes accumulate in places they shouldn’t.TIPSFermented foods - think of them as reseeding the garden after the antibiotic has wiped out the pretty flowers, not just the bad weeds. Variety is key with fiber - gradual increase.Insoluble fiber - feeds the good bacteria and inc SCFA production. E.g. nuts, seeds, legumes, dark green leafies, psyllium, chia, flax, raspberries.Sleep - repair timeMovement - Regular moderate activity is linked with: greater diversity, better SCFA production, improved motility.Hydration supports stool transit, motility and mucosal healthStress regulation: A stressed brain sends stressed signals to the gut.Probiotics: They can help in certain situations, but they are not magic. After antibiotics, recovery isn’t about replacing one bug. It’s about rebuilding an environment where healthy microbes can grow againReferences:1. Lurie I, et al. Antibiotic exposure and the risk for depression, anxiety, or psychosis. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2015.2. Palleja A, et al. Recovery of gut microbiota of healthy adults following antibiotic exposure. Nature Microbiology, 2018.3. Koh A, et al. From dietary fiber to host physiology: short-chain fatty acids as key bacterial metabolites. Cell, 2016.4. Erny D, et al. Host microbiota constantly control maturation and function of microglia in the CNS.Nature Neuroscience, 2015.5. Quigley EMM. Microbiota–gut–brain axis and neurogastroenterology. Gastroenterology, 2017.6. Imhann F, et al. Proton pump inhibitors affect the gut microbiome. Gut, 2016.7. Miller AH & Raison CL. The role of inflammation in depression. Nature Reviews Immunology, 2016.#guthealth #anxiety #hiatalhernia #rootcausemedicine Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is intended for educational purposes only and is not a

Do you take antacids like PPIs? The odds are it’s not right for you.Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains why antacids such as PPIs may be causing your symptoms to worsen and perpetuate rather than being resolved.A global systematic review found that about 60% of PPI prescriptions were inappropriate or lacking a valid indication in clinical practice. If you’re thinking - No - I really do have acid reflux, hang in there with me for a few minutes.Fact: It’s one of the most prescribed drugs worldwide Fact: It has many dangerous side effects Like what:Cause infections, worsen gut health (perpetuates the problem), heart disease, bone loss and dementia to name a fewWhy would your doctor ignore those risks?Drs do want to help - they want their patients to “feel” better. In conventional medicine it’s all about controlling symptoms which is much easier than correcting why they started.What’s easier? Swallowing a pill or doing lifestyle and diet changes? The answer is obvious - but it the EASY answer the better one or the safe one?For patients it seems simple: I have “burn”, the drug stops it. That’s all they want to know.It’s easier to continue a prescription then admit the treatment failed - the reflux came back when the medication is stopped.It’s unfair that they’re not told what’s going to happen long term: Nut’l deficiencies Infections Worsening gut health that will perpetuate the need for antacids and then more drugs - e.g. heart meds, anxiety meds, breathing meds, pain meds Weak bones Risk of heart disease, stroke, dementiaTherapeutic inertia - It means treatment continues because it is easier and safer than changing direction, even if it’s not solving the underlying issue.This supports the point that long-term continuation often happens by default or habit, without re-checking whether it’s still truly indicated.Almost every reflux patient I meet was told they might need this medication forever. -The real causes:impaired gastric emptyingintra-abdominal pressuredysbiosisfood triggersvagal or diaphragmatic dysfunctionconstipationobesityNote about rebound acid secretion -Tips No gluten, sugar or seed oils for 3 weeksPractice diaphragmatic breathing 3x/day - research shos 2 out of 3 decreased need and some stoppedNo tight clothesDon’t overeat - chew wellDon’t eat and lie downDon’t eat lateReferences1. Dutta AK, Sharma V, Jain A, et al. (2024). Inappropriate use of proton pump inhibitors in clinical practice globally: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gut.2. Lüthold RV, et al. (2023). Inappropriate proton-pump inhibitor prescribing in primary care (study reporting high rates of potentially inappropriate long-term PPI use, including “no indication” and “too high dose”). Swiss Medical Weekly.3. Lazarus B, et al. (2016). Proton Pump Inhibitor Use and Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease. JAMA Internal Medicine.4. Finke M, et al. (2025). Proton pump inhibitors and the risk of Clostridioides difficile infection: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Journal of Infection5. Liu J, et al. (2019). Proton pump inhibitors therapy and risk of bone diseases: An update meta-analysis. Life Sciences.6. Choudhury A, et al. (2023). Vitamin B12 deficiency and use of proton pump inhibitors: a systematic review. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology.#acidreflux #guthealth #hiatalhernia #rootcausemedicine ➡ Learn more or book a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/📞 Call us directly: (727) 335-0400

Have you rushed to the ER convinced you were having a heart attack?  You had heart palpitations, shortness of breath and anxiety out the roof? You also suffer with acid reflux, bloat, gas, and/or constipation.Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.Every test comes back normal, but your heart still races, the shortness of breath impacts your day to day life and your gut is a mess.Your cardiologist assures you there's nothing wrong, yet you feel "off" and keep suffering.In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains what the 3 missing "pieces" of Hiatal Hernia Syndrome are and why they need to be evaluated in order to achieve successful relief.We utilize a patient-tailored approach - Personalized medicine, because there isn't a "one size fits all" solution.Diet, posture, breathing - why “one size doesn’t fit all”Symptoms influenced by: diet, digestion efficiency, motility within the gut, microbiome health, diaphragmatic breathing, and vagal nerve tone1. DIET  Recent work highlights that diet composition—not just acid suppression—matters for reflux and hiatal hernia symptom burden. Interventions focusing on reduced overall sugar intake, increased fiber, and mindful eating patternsSMOKING & WEIGHT  Risk factor data indicate abdominal pressure, physical workload, smoking, and central adiposity are risk factors.2. MOTILITY & MICROBIOME  Current GERD/hiatal hernia literature recognizes the influence of gut motility and possibly microbiome interactions on reflux patterns.PPIs, given for reflux, can make it worse - can’t be the only treatment. You can’t feel the reflux but it’s still there. It doesn’t correct motility or pressure issues3. STRESS  Stress reduction and vagal nerve influenceTIPSEat smaller mealsStop eating 3–4 hours before bedAvoid tight clothingChew thoroughlyAvoid large mixed meals late at nightPay attention to early fullness, bloating, or nauseaWalk after mealsStay upright for at least 20–30 minutes after eating.Belly breathing - before meals and practiced during the dayDiaphragm part of anti-reflux barrier so needs to be exercisedAddress constipation and gas - increases pressureReferences:Martinucci I et al., “Esophageal motility abnormalities in gastroesophageal reflux disease,” 2014, World Journal of GastroenterologyVoulgaris T et al., “Is there a direct relationship between hiatal hernia size and reflux events,” 2023, Annals of GastroenterologyBucan JI et al., “Updates in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Management,” 2025, Medicines (MDPI)Lin S et al., “Esophageal Motor Dysfunctions in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease,” 2019, Journal of Neurogastroenterology and MotilityFreedberg DE et al., “The impact of proton pump inhibitors on the human gastrointestinal microbiome,” 2014, GutTian L et al., “Proton pump inhibitors may enhance the risk of digestive complications,” 2023, Frontiers in PharmacologyRemes-Troche JM, “PPIs Have It: Does Tegoprazan Affect Gastric Emptying and Produce Dyspeptic Symptoms?,” 2025, Digestive Diseases and SciencesAndrews WG et al., “The relationship of hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux,” 2021, Annals of the American Thoracic Society#hiatalhernia #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.The views expressed ar

What health problems are you trying to solve?Fatigue? Weight gain? Poor sleep? Mood swings? Brain fog?Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains why fasting results are different between men and women and what is the optimal approach for women.Time restricted eating or fasting is a physiological stressor - not a bad one, but still a stressor and women react differently to it than men.  Women are not “small men” and our metabolism and hormones are different- therefore the “dose” of fasting matters.A fasting window of 12 to 14 hours allows for adequate protein consumption, better quality sleep, and lowers stress load.Long fasting windows make it harder to hit protein targets - this matters for satiety (stops cravings) and lean muscle mass retention.Protein maintains: Muscle and bone Hormones and enzymes Neurotransmitters - brain chemicals Immune system strengthIf protein intake drops the body breaks down muscle. Lower muscle = more fat, and slower metabolism.Men exhibit more predictable improvements like weight loss and insulin sensitivity while women, who mobilize fuel differently, commonly show weight gain, loss of muscle, insulin resistance, adverse hormone and stress responses.Initially you may not notice negative effects - your fatty acids are elevated meaning you're breaking down stored fat - you lose weight, feel more energy and that convinces you to continue longer fasts.It’s what happens long-term that is concerning - long-term elevation of fatty acids leads to: Reduced glucose uptake into muscle and liver, leading to Insulin resistance - type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver, Greater difficulty losing fat Increased visceral fat/belly weight Muscle breakdown so you lose lean muscle Sleep disruption Brain effects:    Fatigue  Lowered stress tolerance  Brain fog Particularly important if you are in the following categories:FertileIrregular or missed periodsPMS or heavy periodsFeel “wired” but tiredHigh training volumeTrouble sleepingMenopause/PerimenopauseTrouble maintaining muscleFat gain despite eating lessPoor sleepBrain fog or stressCold intolerance of thyroid symptomsFatigue and need caffeineTipsFast while you’re sleeping… and a bit more before and after = 12 to 14 hours.Prioritize protein - aim for 1 gram of protein per lean pound of body weight. Book end protein at the beginning and end of the day with a lighter dose mid-day.Aim for 25 grams of fiber daily from whole food - fruit, veggie, nuts, seeds, beans.Healthy fats come along with much of the foods you’re eatingReferences:Soeters MR et al. Gender-related differences in the metabolic response to fasting 2007 — Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & MetabolismBene-Alhasan Y et al. Determinants of fasting non-esterified fatty acids 2023 — Journal of Clinical & Translational EndocrinologyTakeuchi M et al. Higher fasting and postprandial free fatty acid levels are associated with muscle insulin resistance in young women 2018 — Journal of Clinical Medicine ResearchPankow JS et al. Fasting plasma free fatty acids and the risk of type 2 diabetes 2004 — Diabetes CareAbraham SB et al. Cortisol, obesity and the metabolic syndrome2013 — Endocrine ReviewsKim BH et al. Effects of intermittent fasting on circulating hormone levels and circadian rhythms 2021 — Endocrinology and MetabolismUhart M et al. Gender differences in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis reactivity 2006 — Psychoneuroendocrinology#fasting #weightloss #musclelossprevention #rootcausemedicine Disclaimer: The information provide

Sleep isn’t one thing. It’s four. Quantity. Quality. Regularity. Timing.Think of them like the legs of a chair. Lose one, and your health collapses.In the podcast, Dr Vikki Petersen explains how to reset sleep, its connection to weight, fat loss, and how to avoid dying prematurely.Quantity - Shorter sleep = a shorter life. Predicts all cause mortality.Recommended is 7 to 9 hours. 7 is minimum to survive - not what you need to thrive.Quality - Important for mental health. AKA sleep efficiency-want to keep it above 85%. Desired  is 1 to 2 long bouts of sleep vs fragmented sleep due to awakenings. Regularity - decreases risk of all-cause mortality by 49%, risk of cancer by 39%, risk of heart disease by 57%. Regularity refers to wake & sleep time.Best to keep it within 15 minutes on either sideWorst was a variation of 90 to 120 minutes.You need both, but regularity beat out quantity in reducing all cause mortality.Timing (aligning with your natural body clock, or chronotype), using light cues (morning sun, dim evening light) to set it right. E.g. morning lark, night owl - but most people fall in the middle - bears.Sleep KillersArtificial light - Artificial light confuses the brain -“junk” light. Think candles - a little essential oils addedEliminateAlcoholCaffeineMarijuanaEating before bed - wait 3 hoursTIP to help you fall asleepFor 7 days set alarm 1 hour before bedtime. Turn off most of the lights, candle light is fine, cool room to 68 degrees F. Do you feel more sleepy?Go back to your regular routine & note difference.Set an alarm to wake up 8 to 9 hours after your regular bedtime. As your sleep quality improves you won’t need an alarm.Don’t skimp on that last hour of sleep - impacts mood, learning and mental performance - very restorativeTIP to help you get back to sleep - described in video3 options:Box breathing Body scanMental walk Weight and SleepHow you sleep dictates what you eat and how you burn caloriesUnderslept = CravingsLeptin and ghrelin go in opposite directions when underslept-increases your hunger drive 40%.Burning caloriesMore likely to store calories as fat when underslept vs storing them as glycogen in muscles.Dieters: lost the same weight but poor sleepers lost 70% of weight from lean muscle while keeping the fat. FastingLonger fasts your body makes more Orexin - hormone promotes wakefulness & appetite. May see your sleep scores drop during longer fastsMelatonin - do you need it? Helpful to prevent jet lag or if you’re someone who doesn’t get sleepy until 3 to 4 am.It doesn’t make you sleep or generate sleep - it starts the sleep cycle. Doesn’t improve the speed you fall asleep or the efficiency in any meaningful way. Safe dose is 0.1 to 3 mg. More not better because you can confuse your morning brain - melatonin should be zero in the morning - taking too much will cause you to have levels of it for the first 3 to 4 hours and you’ll be groggy and needing caffeine.Note: it’s otherwise safe and an anti-oxidant, but there’s been erroneous data re; amounts that are too high. Don’t give it to children - melatonin is a hormone that influences puberty and some studies indicate that it can perhaps stunt reproductive development. Short-term use seems safe, but long term is concerning.Magnesium - most doesn’t cross blood brain barrier, except L-threonate. But just being insufficient makes a difference - 50% of us are. Magnesium relaxes muscles and vagus nerve is activated with relaxation.References:1.Windred D, et al. (2024) Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration. Sleep 2.Cribb L, et al. (2023) Sleep regularity and mortality... eLife3.Miao Y, et al. (

If you suffer with acid reflux you are in good company. But acid reflux doesn't respond well to lowering acid levels. The proof?Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains why "blaming" the acid in your stomach is the wrong approach. Millions continue to suffer despite taking a standard acid reducing medication like PPIs.Up to 40% of GERD patients report dissatisfaction and have incomplete or no response to a standard PPI dose.Up to 55% continue to have persistent symptoms despite “optimal therapy”.What’s going on:Your stomach is supposed to contain acid. It kills bad organisms, begins protein digestion, and absorbs minerals and  B12. Reflux is not due to too much acid -real problem is acid in the wrong location - your esophagus.Why? The anti-reflux barrier fails.Why?1.Digestion slows, stomach remains full, food ferments, gas builds and pressure rises, pushing stomach upward.2.The diaphragm loses its coordinated support of the LES, becomes flattened, and less able to prevent reflux.3.Vagus dysfunction - leads to fight or flight resulting in shallow breathing, diaphragmatic excursion decreases, decreased tone of LES, slowed gastric emptying, 4.Hiatal hernia - stomach elevates and compromises anti-reflux barrier5. H pylori -bacterial infection. More susceptible if older or taking PPI.Symptoms of H. pyrlori are often mistaken for reflux:  Stomach burning or gnawing pain, nausea, early fullness, worse on an empty stomach.  H. pylori infection can cause anti-reflux barrier to failH. pylori is leading cause of atrophic gastritis globally. Stomach lining thins, loses gastric gland cells, leads to low acid, B12 deficiency and risk of stomach cancer.Gastric gland cells produce HCl, enzymes, protective mucus to prevent the stomach from digesting itself. Strains: CagA - most dangerous, higher risk of ulcer, cancer VacA - all H pylori carry the gene - s1 more toxic, s2 less toxicThe strain matters as much as the infection.If reflux isn’t just acid problem, what do you do?1.stop assuming acid is the enemy. Goal is restore normal stomach function.2. support digestion so stomach can empty properly. e.g.real food, adequate protein, hydration3. reduce pressure. e.g. handle constipation, bloating, tight clothing, large late meals4. restore coordination between diaphragm and esophageal sphincter. e.g. nasal breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, posture awareness, daily movement 5. support vagal tone. e.g. handle chronic stress, shallow breathing, poor sleep, fight or flight 6.identify upstream disruptors. e.g. H. pylori, low stomach acid, hiatal hernia,  testing microbiome, ruling out mold, viruses, heavy metals, and food sensitivities.Reflux improves when the body as a coordinated system works together again-not when acid is simply suppressed.References:1.El-Serag HB, et al. Update on the epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.. Gut, 2014.2.Pandolfino JE, et al. Mechanical properties of the lower esophageal sphincter and crural diaphragm. Gastroenterology, 2007.3.Sifrim D, et al. Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations and reflux. American Journal of Medicine, 2001.4.Farmer AD, et al. The role of the vagus nerve...Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2014.5.Martinucci I, et al. Esophageal impedance-pH monitoring... Neurogastro & Motility, 2018.6.Malfertheiner P, et al. Helicobacter pylori infection. Nature Rev Dis Primers, 2017.7.Cover TL, et al, H pylori VacA, ...Nat Rev Micro, 2005.8.Hatakeyama M. H pylori CagA...Nat Rev Cancer, 2004.#acidreflux #guthealth #hiatalhernia #rootcausemedicine Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is

Do you have chronic acid reflux or hiatal hernia symptoms that bother you? Are you considering surgery?Dr Vikki Petersen explains why you may want to consider all your options before jumping into surgery that is not a medical emergency. Fundoplication surgery reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter by wrapping the upper pat of the stomach around the lower esophagus.The surgery reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) by wrapping the upper part of the stomach (the fundus) around the lower esophagus. This:What the surgery aims to accomplish:Prevents stomach acid from refluxing upwardImproves LES pressureReduces regurgitation and heartburnWho is a good candidate? Persistent GERD, Hiatal Hernia, esophagitis, regurgitation, want to avoid long-term PPIsStated Benefits Reduction of reflux, eliminate need for PPI, long-lasting symptom relief - Note: it states "symptom reflief" not cure.Risks and side effects Trouble swallowing Gas/bloat syndrome - can’t belch or vomit Increased gas Wrap loosening or slipping over time        Damage to vagus nerve        Dumping syndromeFundoplication does not address the root cause contributors such as:Impaired gastric emptyingLow stomach acidDysbiosis or SIBOIncreased intra-abdominal pressurePoor diaphragmatic functionWhy it Fails - wrap loosens - Why? Ongoing increased intra-abdominal pressure or obesity.The cause of the increased pressure is the "contributors" just mentioned above.“Failure” statistics:~30% develop recurrent symptoms over timeAt 10 years, 40%  have had symptoms return and require medication.Failure rates increase with time — many studies show good short-term outcomes but gradual decline over years.Revisions surgeries fail at a rate of 40%Bottom line:Short-term success: highLong-term durability: moderateMany failures are driven by ongoing pressure and motility issues, not acid alone.References:1.Spechler SJ, et al. Medical or surgical management of GERDJAMA – 20192.Gyawali CP, et al. Modern diagnosis of GERD and surgical candidacy. American Journal of Gastroenterology – 20183.Broeders JA, et al. Ten-year outcome of laparoscopic fundoplication. British Journal of Surgery – 20134.Oelschlager BK, et al. Symptom recurrence after fundoplicationJournal of Gastrointestinal Surgery – 20115.Herregods TVK, et al. Esophageal motility disorders and reflux surgery outcomes. Neurogastroenterology & Motility – 2015#hiatalhernia #acidreflux #guthealth #rootcausemedicine  Disclaimer: The information provided in this 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.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 consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/📞 Call us directly: (727) 335-0400About 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.These are reviewed by licensed

Bloating and gas are common symptoms with up to 30% of the population suffering enough to complain to their doctors. Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.Dr Vikki Petersen explains what the 5 most common causes are and what you can do to determine which may be bothering you and some steps you can take to alleviate the discomfort.1. Low stomach acid - the common symptoms are fatigue, heartburn, feeling full, bad brath, undigested food in stool, diarrhea/constipation. Home test: 1/4 tsp baking soda in 4-6 oz cold water first thing in the morning before any food or drink. Time when you burp. Normal is within 2-3 minutes. If no burp at 5 minutes it may indicate low stomach acid.You can trial some betaine hydrochloric acid but check with your doctor first.2. Poor gallbladder health - bile breaks down fats and absorbs fat soluble vitamins. Bile also works with the pancreatic enzymes which we are about to discuss.Symptoms include - bloat after a fatty meal, nausea, upper right quadrant (just below your ribs on the right) discomfort that can radiate around to your shoulder blade, nausea and feeling full after a fatty meal.You can try adding bitters such as ginger, arugula, milk thistle to see if it improves symptoms.check with you doctor first however.3. SIBO - small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Symptoms include cramping, gas, pain, diarrhea and or constipation.Causes are PPI meds, antibiotics, low stomach acid, slowed motilityTest - your doctor can order a Breath Test.You can trial oregano, garlic, fasting and a carnivore diet for 2 weeks - consult with your doctor first.4. Poor pancreatic function - the pancreas makes enzymes to digest every type of food: fat, carbohydrate and protein.Symptoms include bloat, greasy, smelly stool, nausea, vomiting, bloat and diabetes symptoms.You can trial pancreatic enzymes with your doctor's approval.5. Food sensitivities - common foods can cause a variety of symptoms including bloating.Trial a modified elimination diet and a planned reintroduction after 3 weeks. This is the gold standard for food sensitivity testing. References:Vavallo M et al. Autoimmune gastritis and hypochlorhydria: Known concepts from a new perspective. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024.Filardo S et al. The potential role of hypochlorhydria in the development of duodenal dysbiosis. Microorganisms. 2022.Whitcomb DC et al. AGA Clinical Practice Update on the epidemiology, evaluation, and management of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Gastroenterology. 2023.Jung SW et al. Epigastric symptoms of gallbladder dyskinesia mistaken for functional dyspepsia. Korean Journal of Gastroenterology. 2017.Feng X et al. Prevalence and predictors of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in inflammatory bowel disease: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in Medicine. 2025.Saadati S et al. Effects of a gluten challenge in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. Scientific Reports. 2022.Pasta A, et al. Food Intolerances, Food Allergies and IBS: Lights and Shadows, Nutrients 2024.#bloating #guthealth #rootcausemedicine Disclaimer: The information provided in this 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.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

This video is for every woman and every man who loves a woman. What if:You could reduce your risk of heart disease and death by up to 50%.You could decrease your risk of colon cancer by up to 56%.You could reduce your risk of diabetes by up to 30%?You could reduce your Alzheimer’s risk by 35%? What if you could reduce your fracture risk by 50 to 60%? And, what if you could add a healthy 10 years to your life expectancy?Educational content reviewed by licensed APRN medical staff. Not personal medical advice.In the video, Dr Vikki Petersen explains why there has been fear and confusion regarding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the past 23 years.What's the solution?Hormone replacement therapy (HRT).When I said that, what did you think of?   Did you think: “Wait, isn’t there a risk of breast cancer and stroke with HRT? It’s time to set the record straight.23 years ago a $1 billion study (WHI) was conducted on HRT and stopped early due to supposed increased risk of breast cancer, blood clots and cardiovascular disease.A press conference occurred before the study results were released. The media frenzy stated that HRT caused breast cancer, leading to panic. By the time the actual study results came out and smart doctors and scientists saw the results, the fact that the study showed no statistical significance was ignored.NO study has even shown that HRT increases the risk of breast cancer mortality. In fact, taking estrogen alone shows a 24% decreased risk in breast cancer. The FDA has recently set the record straight and corrected this mistake by revealing the exact science and removing the black box warnings that created fear in so many.The truth is that menopause shortens lives because of the loss of estrogen. There is no organ in the human body that does NOT have estrogen receptor sites.Estrogen factually does the following:It protects your heart, protects your bones, acts as a protective shield for your brain, lowers risk of mental decline, memory loss and Alzheimer’s. It reduces all cause mortality, thus extending women’s lives by a decade. It reduces your risk of diabetes.It is factually one of the most effective longevity interventions for women. Is there a risk of taking HRT if you’re  10 yrs past menopause? Not necessarily. You may not be eligible especially if you have cardiac risk. But for ALL women, regardless of your age, or cancer history, you ARE eligible for vaginal estrogen therapy.With loss of estrogen, urinary tract infections increase, vaginal dryness and painful sex. A UTI in an older woman can be life threatening due to sepsis. Unlike UTIs in younger women where painful urination is the key symptom, in older women the symptoms of confusion, fatigue or agitation can be the only signs - leading to confusion with onset of dementia. 80 to 90% of elderly women have bacteria in their urine. Vaginal estrogen prevents this - it can be started at any age and should be taken for life.Many doctors are afraid to recommend hormones because if they were educated during the past two decades they received no education on menopause.➡ Learn more or book a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/locations/telemedicine/📞 Call us directly: (727) 335-0400#womenshealth #hormones #rootcausemedicineReferences:Marty Makary MD, et al. Updated Labeling for Menopausal Hormone Therapy. JAMA, 2025; Howard N. Hodis, eta al. HRT And Reduction of All‑Cause Mortality and CVD . menopauselearning.com. The Cancer Journal June 2022Ferrante KL, et al. Vaginal Estrogen for the Prevention of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection in Postmenopausal Women. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2021Tan-Kim J, et al. Efficacy of vaginal estroge

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) 335-0400About 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 smallThe 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

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 fatmuscle and bone losstype 2 diabetesheart diseasefatty liverdementia.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 fat2. makes muscles stronger3. makes anti-inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) which lower disease risk4. increases neuroplasticity of the brain, produces more brain cells and makes more lactate - protecting against dementia5. benefits sleep quality6. balances mood80% 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 MedWatson 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 TipsTo 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 #rootcausemedicineDisclaimer: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 overeatingChanging your diet to include real vs ultraprocessed foodsChew your food wellDon't lie down after you eatOther factors you'll need some help to address:Losing weight around your mid-sectionBalance your gut microbiome - good bugs vs bad bugsAssess any toxic loadHormonal imbalanceReferences: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: 727-335-0400Let'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 gutpoor diet causing inflammationfood sensitivitiestoxicitylarge mealstight clothesabdominal fatIt'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: 727-335-0400About 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: 727-335-0400There 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, Gastroenterology2. 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, Gut3. Take S, Mizuno M, Ishiki K, et al. "Eradication efficacy and the effect of vonoprazan–amoxicillin dual therapy" 2025, The Lancet Microbe4. 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 Pharmacology5. Takayuki Taketo, et al. "Long-term potassium-competitive acid blockers administration changes gut microbiota: insights from a 2.2-year cohort study" 2023, Helicobacter6. 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: 727-335-0400Perhaps 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 doHiatal 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 gutinsufficient stomach acid or pancreatic enzymesconstipationfood sensitivitiestoxicity from mold, heavy metals or other environmental  or viral loadsvagus nerve irritationlifestyle 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 n

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: 727-335-0400Most 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.SolutionsSome 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. PubMedTack J, Pandolfino JE. (2018). “Pathophysiology of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.” Gastroenterology 154(2):277–288. PubMedMitchell 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) PMCMittal 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 video is in

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: 727-335-0400Your 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: 727-335-0400When 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 herniaReferences: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: 727-335-0400Have 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.EvaluationA good in-depth health historyRule out celiac disease and thyroid disease plus any inflammatory bowel diseaseTest the microbiome for dysbiosis - presence of bad bacteriaEndoscopyMotility tests - called gastric emptying studyTrials of therapeutic diets to evaluate for food intolerances.TreatmentRebalance your microbiomeOptimize motility - an easy first step is to hydrate and increase the amount of soluble fiber in your dietStart breathing techniques like box breathingYou 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) PMCCrucillà 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 JournalLacy 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 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

Are you considering hiatal hernia surgery? Did you know that acid reflux can come back even after surgery?➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/Call us directly: 727-335-0400The official medical guidelines for surgery specifically state that a small, sliding hiatal hernia (95% of them are sliding) is NOT an indication for surgery. Surgery is typically reserved for large, paraesophageal hernias, those with severe esophagitis, Barrett's disease and strictures.It is also considered as an option when there is refractory relux - meaning you are taking medication (typically PPIs) and it isn't working to suppress your symptoms. It is this point I wish to address.A critical point that's missed is that PPIs suppress acid, they don't prevent reflux. Read that sentence again. So reflux is still happening, it's just not very acidic. Now we need to ask what could continue to cause symptoms if it wasn't acid? Bile. Bile reflux can cause similar symptoms to acid reflux in how you feel, even though it's not acid causing it.As a 2025 study that I list below stated: "consider bile reflux, don't just keep giving more PPIs". A 2024 study stated that up to 38% of refractory reflux is due to bile reflux. If you add in acid plus bile, the total is 64%. Let's look at another point. How well does hiatal hernia surgery do in eradicating reflux? It's not great. After 5 years, 44% of patients were again long-term PPI users. Another study found that recurrent heartburn post-surgery had an occurrence rate of 10 to 62% and was considered a post-operative complication.This data is to give you knowledge that I find many patients considering surgery haven't been made aware of. Conservative measures are always preferred over surgery. Every surgeon would agree, barring obvious emergencies.Finding a clinician who can address the often missed bile reflux and get to the root cause of what's causing it and acid reflux, could be of great benefit in improving your health.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:Monaco L, Balletta A, Mazzarella G, et al. Combined pH and bilirubin monitoring of the esophagus improves the diagnostic yield of reflux disease in patients non-responsive to proton pump inhibitors. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2009;44(5):565-571.Sugimoto M, Nishino S, Nishizawa T, et al. Importance of bile reflux in proton pump inhibitor-refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease. Digestive Endoscopy. 2024;36(3):390-399.Armstrong D, Wong RKH, et al. Management of refractory reflux-like symptoms. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2025;61(7):505-522.Naik RD, Vaezi MF. Treatment of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020;18(2):343-351.Wetscher GJ, Schwab G, Pointner R, et al. Long-term outcome after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2024;409(2):199-211.Oor JE, Roks DJ, Broeders JA, et al. Reflux control 5 years after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: a prospective long-term study. World J Surg. 2025;49(4):1020-1029.Engström C, Jamieson GG, Devitt PG, et al. Ten- to fifteen-year outcome of laparoscopic Nissen vs. Toupet fundoplication: a randomized trial. JAMA Surg. 2022;157(7):623-631.Lundell L, Miettinen P, et al. Long-term outcome of antireflux surgery in randomized clinical trials: results at 20 years follow-up. Surg Endosc. 2024;38(1):112-120.Broeders JA, Rijnhart-de Jong HG, Draaisma WA, et al. Ten-year outcome of laparoscopic and conventional Nissen fundoplication: randomized clinical trial. Ann Surg. 2013;258(5):870-877.#hiatalhernia #acidreflux #rootcausemedicine 

Why can doctors miss the presence of Hiatal Hernia Syndrome. It's sheet number of symptoms is one problem.➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/Call us directly: 727-335-0400The symptoms are acid reflux, bloat, abdominal discomfort, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety and panic attacks, trouble swallowing, hoarseness - to list just a few. There are up to 20.You can see that these symptoms cover many organ systems of your body: heart, lungs, stomach, digestion, and brain. It's no wonder that what you receive from specialists, who are not communicating with one another, is a palliative drug that can improve your symptoms but does not address the root cause.And, unfortunately, in the case of PPIs and psychiatric medication, is known to worsen the root cause through its effect on your microbiome.It's not that your doctors don't care; they are constrained by our medical model to make a diagnosis and then provide the appropriate care, typically a drug, that is approved. What the research below does confirm is that the root cause of the problem involves physical/mechanical changes within the digestive tract along with neurological effects (primarily the vagus nerve) which explain what people suffering with this syndrome experience.How to fix it? One has to establish the causative agents that have created the increased inta-abdominal pressure within the body. Finding a clinician who understands the full depth and breadth of these interactions and how to identify the "why" can really open the door to improvement.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. Kahrilas PJ, Pandolfino JE. Hiatus hernia. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021;7(1):1. doi:10.1038/s41572-020-00241-12. Schlottmann F, et al. Hiatal hernia: a review on diagnosis and treatment. J Thorac Dis. 2017;9(Suppl 12):S1108–S1117. doi:10.21037/jtd.2017.06.1203. Roman S, Kahrilas PJ. Challenges in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012;10(9):864–871. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2012.02.0184. Tutuian R, Castell DO. Management of atypical manifestations of GERD. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006;101(8 Suppl):S38–S44. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00657.x5. Vaezi MF, et al. Proton pump inhibitors and risk of adverse events: a critical appraisal of current evidence. Gastroenterology. 2017;153(1):35–48. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2017.04.0476. Moayyedi P, et al. Long-term proton pump inhibitor use and safety: a review of evidence and position statement by the American Gastroenterological Association. Gastroenterology. 2017;152(4):706–715. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2017.01.0317. Mittal RK, Balaban DH. The esophagogastric junction. N Engl J Med. 1997;336(13):924–932. doi:10.1056/NEJM1997032733613068. Bredenoord AJ, Pandolfino JE, Smout AJ. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Lancet. 2013;381(9881):1933–1942. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)62171-09. Farré R, et al. Mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux disease: lessons from animal models. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2017;312(1):G1–G15.#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 understandi

There are places in your body where bacteria normally reside. But what happens when they move to a different location?➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/locations/telemedicine/Call us directly: 727-335-0400.In a recent study looking at 13 different trials the researach observes to hwat degree PPI medication altered gut bacteria. What they found was concerning.Oral bacteria normally confined to the mouth moved (translocated) and proliferated further down the GI tract. As an example, Strep, proliferated in just 7 days of using a PPI.Esophagus bacteria shifted too, causing refllux symptoms even without excess acid.These shifts explain why PPI meds can increase infections, SIBO, system inflammation and overall dysbiosis. One infection, C diff (Clostridium difficile) is one of the best known connections to PPIs - proven to double the risk. It causes colitis with severe diarrhea and can become life threatening. Why does this happen? When you take a PPI you raise the pH in your stomach and you lose good bacteria while allowing bad bacteria to multiply. There also an issue with bile not being converted properly which allows this bacteria (and other bad bacteria) to multiply.SIBO symptoms include gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, rosacea, osteoporosis, generalized malabsorption, along with creating a deficiency of fat soluble vitamins - A, D, E, and K.Causing systemic inflammation factually increases your risk for obesity, a weakened immune system, diabetes, IBS, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, certain cancers, anxiety and cognitive decline. To summate, here's what the authors of the study said: PPI use may be one of the strongest factors shaping dysbiosis in populations. Finding a clinician to help you get to the root cause of your reflux so that you can wean down or off your PPI could make a big impact on your health.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.ReferenceFossmark & Olaisen (2024) Microorganisms. “Changes in the Gastrointestinal Microbiota Induced by Proton Pump Inhibitors — A Review of Findings from Experimental Trials” #guthealth #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.

A hiatal hernia attack can involve up to 20 different symptoms that seem unrelated to one another. ➡️ Click HERE to Book a Consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/Call us directly: 727-335-0400You can feel acid reflux, bloating, gas, pressure in your abdomen or chest, but you can also feel short of breath, have heart palpitations, feel anxious or have a panic attack. It this hits you suddenly or in the middle of the night it's pretty terrifying. You definitely want to rule out heart disease due to the symptoms of heart palpitations, shortness of breath and chest pain or pressure. But once you've done that and you continue to suffer, you're left perplexed with what's really going on.A hiatal hernia, even if small, can cause a cascade of symptoms that begin with the stomach getting compressed, bringing acid up into your esophagus (tube that connects your mouth to your stomach) and the subsequent irritation/spasming of your diaphragm and irritation to your heart that sits directly above your diaphragm. This can cause shortness of breath and heart palpitations along with anxiety symptoms.It's important to realize that these 3 organs (stomach, diaphragm, and heart) sit very close to one another anatomically and it's well researched that they can influence one another's function when a hiatal hernia or acid reflux occurs.It's worth mentioning that 95% of hiatal hernias are sliding which means the symptoms can come and go, which can also be confusing because you're not sure what you're doing to cause it. At the root is increase intra-abdominal pressure which can worsen lying down at night to sleep as well as when bending over. This is why you can awaken in the middle of the night with a hiatal hernia attack, that is quite frightening.Half of all reflux is silent, meaning it presents with symptoms that are less obvious than the "classic" heartburn. In silent relux the symptoms are more in the upper chest and throat such as trouble swallowing, having the feeling of a lump in your throat, hoarseness, a cough, or bitter taste in your mouth. You can still have the rest of the symptoms mentioned previously without the signs of heartburn and reflux.The root of this problem is digestive in nature, with the rest of the symptoms occurring secondarily due to a cascade of effects.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, et al. Approaches to the diagnosis and grading of hiatal hernia. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2008;22(4):601-616.Schlottmann F, Patti MG. Hiatal hernia: a review on diagnosis and treatment. World J Surg. 2017;41(7):1626-1633.Mittal RK, Balaban DH. The esophagogastric junction. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:924-932.Roman S, et al. Gastroesophageal reflux disease: from pathophysiology to treatment. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(14):5275-5294.Gyawali CP, Kahrilas PJ, Savarino E, et al. Modern diagnosis of GERD: the Lyon Consensus. Gut. 2018;67:1351-1362.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.