Your Home Remedy for Acid Reflux Disease – Book Review
By Dr. Howard Christian
I received an ARC of this book by Dr. Howard Christian and I was so excited to read it and also tell you about it here. I have struggled with gut-related issues since I was a teenager. I was diagnosed with IBS around 18 years old, and I’ve had off and on issues related to acid reflux, food sensitivities and related gastro symptoms.
As a disclaimer before we dive in: This book and its contents are not meant to replace medical advice and treatment. It is for informational purposes only. Always consult your physician regarding any medical condition or symptoms that may be bothering you.
Now, with that said, let’s take a look at what this book covers. It begins with an author’s note on terms, which I found really helpful. It talks about “acid reflux” vs “acid reflux disease”. The latter is the same as GERD, which I have been diagnosed with, as well. This is the more common medical term for the same condition, whereas “acid reflux disease” is more commonly used in layman’s terms. It discusses some other terms, other conditions, and language conventions. I think this is all super helpful not only for understanding this book, but also for understanding when you speak with your medical provider.
There’s also a glossary to help you understand all the terms you may see throughout the book. And from there, it begins with a breakdown of why we need a new understanding of disease. I think this was so helpful and a great way to start the book, because many of us need to change the way we look at disease, as well. The author writes about healing GERD from personal perspective and this was also so important to me. Knowing that he has been there, experienced it for himself, and tried the techniques and tips be provides for himself makes all the difference.
The ideas are accessible and easy to understand and try for yourself. It’s also well written, perfect for anyone – regardless of your medical knowledge and background – and it’s not dry or stuffy to read. It felt a lot like chatting with a really good friend about what worked for them, but it’s also packed with useful knowledge.
You will also find tons of resources and footnotes so that you can do your own further research, should you desire to. I really love the chapter on MindBody perspective because I feel it’s a real key to holistic healing of any condition, GERD, included. It talks about how modern medicine fails to connect the physical symptoms from personal experience and meaning. It then goes on to explain the meaning-based story approach, and this really resonated with me.
The book is separated into four basic sections, with 23 chapters total, and every one is packed with amazing, useful information. I love the way it’s broken down into more bite-sized pieces, so it’s easier to grasp – or even to take notes while you read. You can work through this book with just a few minutes a day, if that’s all you have.
I truly believe this book is going to be life-changing for so many people, myself included! Highly recommended.