It started with chest pain and pressure; I took a ride to the ER in an ambulance. After 3 1/2 hrs of tests, blood drawings, anxiety and anticipation I was told that I had another Acid Reflux or GERD attack. They gave me an antacid to sooth my pain and suffering. How could this be? I had beat this thing! It had been over 5 years since my last attack! There had been no symptoms, no telltale signs of indigestion; it just occurred out of the blue!
At first, I wanted to blame it on the food I had eaten; a big bowl of hemp - flax seed granola with a banana and hemp milk. Then, no, I have eaten this many times in the past without issue. Maybe it was the bag of flax seed - black bean chips and the dark chocolate candy bar I had eaten on my way home from work? Just before going to bed? No, I've been doing that on a regular basis too.
After a few days of contemplation I have decided there are a number of factors that led to my demise; all are equally important.
1. Hydration - I have not been drinking as much water as I should. In the ambulance I told them I was dehydrated and they put me on a saline solution. Water is so important to our daily well-being
2. Exercise - It has been 3 weeks since I elevated my heart rate. It's so important to your whole system to exercise regularly. It helps reduce stress and acidity in the body, plus keeps our muscles toned and healthy.
3. Stress - I have been dealing with two stresses in my life; work and relationship or the lack of a relationship. Stress is hard to control and some things can only change with time. I have been given a few tools to deal with stress and have a few of my own; the trick is to use them consistently so that you do not blow a gasket.
4. Eating habits - I had been feeling good for so long I was pushing the envelope on my eating habits. It's not necessarily what I've been eating, rather how I've been eating and when. I eat too fast, eat before bed and eat more of some junk foods than I need to; everything in moderation.
I just purchased a book on the pH levels of food and plan to work on the four areas that I mentioned above. I have no doubt that I can get back to where I was soon and be smarter about how I live my life.
Please add comments and input.