Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. There is a possibility that she is hyperventilating excessively during Kapalbhati. Her technique needs evaluation.

2. Acid reflux should be treated with various measures such eating on time, eating at least 3-4 hours before sleeping, eating smaller meals, avoiding spicy, pungent and oily food. Raise the head end of her bed by 4 inches.

3. Medical treatment should under the supervision of a physician. Proton Pump inhibitors and motility enhances may have to be taken for may weeks. Short term relief may require the use of antacids. H pylori infection must be ruled out. Hiatus hernia (seen on USG Abdomen) is common.

4. A post nasal drip may be involved. Her nose and sinuses must be checked. Chronic stress or anxiety worsens acidity.

I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

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Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Kapalbhati is a breathing exercise using abdominal muscles. If your sister is using the chest and diaphragm for the Kapalbhati, she will end up breathing up to ten times faster than normal. This causes carbon dioxide wash out from the lungs and body. This in turn changes the metabolism of the body leading to her yawning and gasping for breath. If she is a beginner, she should reduce or stop the Kapalbhati for some time an learn the correct technique which involves fast shallow breaths using abdominal muscles only.

2. Natural remedies for treating acidity include:
a. Eating meals on time,
b. Eating dinner at least 3-4 hours before sleeping,
c. Eating smaller meals (not over eating),
d. Avoiding spicy, pungent and oily food.
e. Raise the head end of her bed by 4 inches.
f. Having cold milk, buttermilk to soothe the stomach

3. Get a check-up by a Gastroenterologist. Let the Specialist decide the exact medication. H.pylori is a stomach bacteria which causes hyperacidity. Hiatus hernia is a sliding diaphragmatic hernia that is seen in more than one thirds of patients. this requires an Ultrasound (USG) of the abdomen.

4. Get an ENT Sepcialist to check her nose, sinuses from where excess mucus may drip into the throat causing the need to frequently clear the throat. This symptom may also happen due to acid reflux (from the stomach) up the food pipe into the throat.

5. Does she have anxiety or any emotional stress?

I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

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Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. H. pylori is a common gut bacteria. It is asymptomatic in most people.

2. For patients with symptoms such as hyper acidity, there is a triple drug therapy available.

3 There is no harm in trying neem extract for h. pylori as it is has antibiotic effect among it's many uses.

4. You may also ask her to take a probiotic.

5. It will be difficult to suggest a Gastroenterologist in Mumbai as it is not my speciaity. It would be easier in Pune. However when she is in Mumbai, it may be possible to call my colleagues to request them to suggest one. Which area of Mumbai or which Hospital is convenient? You may follow up directly at bit.ly/Dr-Sumit-Bhatti

I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

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