Explore every episode of the podcast What's the Root Cause? by Dr Vikki Petersen

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 folate

Potential risks associated with long-term acid suppression

Long-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. pneumonia

These 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 contributors
Long-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 load

The goal should not simply be eliminating the burn.
The goal is restoring function and integrity.

References
1. Lam JR, et al. Proton pump inhibitor and histamine-2 receptor antagonist use and vitamin B12 deficiency. JAMA. 2013
2.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. 2017
5. Janarthanan S, et al. Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea and PPI therapy: meta-analysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012
6. 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

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 emptying
altered pressure gradients
reflux of stomach and small intestinal contents
changes in motility
frequent 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.

TIPS
Fermented 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 time
Movement - Regular moderate activity is linked with: greater diversity, better SCFA production, improved motility.
Hydration supports stool transit, motility and mucosal health
Stress 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 again

References:
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 inten

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) 335-0400

About this channel: Dr. Vikki Petersen, DC,

If you've stopped consuming any honey because it's a carb and a sugar, I ask that you give me a few minutes to share 6 amazing information about honey. You'll be glad you learned this!

There is an abundance of research on both rodents and humans to be found in journals such as:
Letters in Drug Design & Discover, Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Frontiers in Nutrition, Journal of Medicinal Food, Food Research, Journal of the American College of Nutrition, and Biochemistry Research International.

Honey decreases the size and number of fat cells.
Honey decreases inflammation by decreasing inflammatory cytokines.
Honey decreases visceral fat. One mechanism is that honey decreases cortisol (a stress hormone) that causes deposition of fat around your organs, despite the presence of fat.
Honey helps in weight loss.

The bottom line is that honey contains some special substances, antioxidants and flavonoids, that allow it to perform all these incredible benefits.

Honey stabilizes blood sugar, allowing your glucose to be utilized efficiently.
[NOTE: At 6:08 I misspoke: I meant to say that the hormone PYY INCREASES, not decreases. Ghrelin does decrease, but PYY, which regulates appetite and energy balance increases. Apologies for the error.]
Stable blood sugar allows these good compounds to get deep into your colon acting as a prebiotic and enhancing your gut microbiome.

Dosage and Quality are everything!
Think about honey as a supplement.
The two best varieties are buckwheat and manuka. They are expensive so think of the honey like a supplement.

Dose is anywhere from 1 teaspoon, to 1 to 4 tablespoons. Start with 1 tablespoon and see how you do. 

If you're keeping your carbs very low, take your honey immediately before exercise.

Enjoy and let me know what effects you notice.

If you want to improve your health and you like the idea of getting to the root cause of your symptoms naturally, contact us for a consultation. Call 727-335-0400.

In this video I explain in great detail why autoimmune disease develops, there are several reasons and the great news is, something can be done about it.

The causes of autoimmune disease which have created stress on your immune system to the degree that it mistakes self tissue (you) from a bad guy, are as follows:
1. Leaky gut or inflammation
2. Gluten sensitivity
3 Toxins
4. Infections
5. Stress

Autoimmune disease is increasing dramatically in our society, but that trajectory doesn't have to continue. There are workable solutions and I discuss them in depth here.

If you are suffering with an autoimmune disease and like this approach, we'd be delighted to help. Consider contacting us for a consultation: call 727-335-0400.

Why do you feel dizzy or nauseous when you poop and is it normal?
It's not normal and it's called a vasovagal response.

Your vagus nerve gets irritated when you bear down and in response your heart rate goes down, your blood pressure goes down and you can feel nauseous or faint.

The reason why is constipation, even though you perhaps you haven't realized it. Many Americans are constipated and don't know it because their doctor has told them that skipping days is probably "normal" for them.

This isn't true. Normal bowel rhythm is 1 to 3 times per day of a soft, formed, easy to pass bowel resulting in full evacuation.

Bearing down is troublesome as it can irritate the vasovagal response we've just discussed but it can also cause a hiatal hernia which in itself further irritates your vagus nerve as it encircles your esophagus. This can cause acid reflux, heart palpitations, mood swings, anxiety and more.

It's a combination of factors which must all be addressed to not only take the pressure off your vagus nerve, but to normalize your digestive tract, which in turn will handle the symptoms we've just discussed.

If you've been trouble with this and want to feel good again, consider calling us for a consultation: call 727-335-0400. We're here to help!

Regarding your healthcare, are you a lion or a lamb?
A lamb goes docilely along taking whatever drugs your doctor gives you, never questioning if there's a better way, or more importantly, WHY you got this way and what can be done to resolve it.

A lion is more aggressive, asks questions, doesn't take advice on face value.
Our healthcare model is pharmaceutically drives, very siloed, meaning every symptom is treated individually with individual drugs.

No one is looking at the root cause of why your various symptoms have occurred.
In Root Cause Medicine we appreciate your body's ability to heal and we feel that it is our job to unburden your body from whatever is preventing healing from occurring. That is very different from "managing" symptoms, or band-aiding them with drug after drug after drug, never identifying the reason underlying your symptoms.

Now a lion would ask questions about the drugs and the lion wouldn't just take every drug handed out but instead try to find a clinician who listened and agreed that a solution needed to be found. And platitudes like "you're just getting older", or "you're under stress" wouldn't be accepted as reasons - because they aren't.

Stop being a lamb. Demand the right to know what's happening and your body and what can be done about it. 

Your body is strong and it loves to heal. It just has to be given the chance to.
If you're tired of feeling terrible and you're ready to improve your health, we'd be happy to meet with you for a consultation: call us at 727-335-0400. We're here to help!

Hiatal Hernias are common, but certainly not normal and not innocuous.
They typically begin with acid reflux and when that continues, the ongoing pressure on your stomach causes the stomach to elevate and push upwards on your diaphragm until the opening where your esophagus passes through widens, thus allowing your stomach to move upwards - the definition of Hiatal Hernia.

Treatment for reflux is antacids of various types, perhaps starting out with over-the-counter and then moving towards stronger PPI medications which are prescribed.

While antacids can diminish the symptoms of acid reflux, their trickle down effects are severe. Let's review:

Antacids decrease the acid in your stomach, thereby preventing the transformation of inactive enzymes into their active form - it requires acid to perform this transformation and activation.  The result is that you are unable to digest proteins properly, which will cause you to experience gas and bloating.

Additionally, the reduction of acid allow bacteria to grow. This can cause SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and other infections which put a strain on your immune system. This scenario also creates a leaky gut, basically a severe weakening of your gut immune system that is designed to protect you from dangerous organisms entering your bloodstream.

These are all very serious consequences for long-term health because inflammation and a leaky gut IS linked to the development of all the diseases you're trying to avoid: diabetes, obesity, heart disease, autoimmune disease, dementia and cancer.

What symptoms might indicate such changes. Along with reflux you can experience bloat, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and/or constipation.

What I want to convey is the importance of not ignoring early symptoms of acid reflux or being diagnosed with a small hiatal hernia.

Handling the root cause of these imbalances is critical to protect your long-term health.

If you'd like help restoring your health to its optimal status, consider calling us for a consultation: call 727-335-0400. We're here to help!

Are GERD and Hiatal Hernia the same thing? Does on cause the other? Let's discuss.

First let's define our terms: A Hiatal Hernia is when part of your stomach moves upwards above your diaphragm. 

GERD, or gastro-esophageal reflux disease, is when your stomach moves its contents, acid, up your esophagus.

When the stomach moves acid up into your esophagus you'll often feel burning, the classic acid reflux or heartburn. Can you have reflux without a Hiatal Hernia - yes and no.

You can have very rare reflux which occurs from overeating or eating a large meal and lying down, as an example. If this is something you feel a few times per year, the odds are you would not have a Hiatal Hernia

But you can have chronic reflux and be "living" on TUMs or some other antacid. Now you are at risk. The chronicity or frequency of your acid reflux means that your stomach is frequently under pressure and that pressure is forcing acid to move up your esophagus.

That pressure is, by definition, what causes a Hiatal Hernia over time. The upward pressure, over time, causes a widening of the opening where the esophagus passes through normally. The stomach, which has a larger diameter at its top than your esophagus, is slowly widening the opening, creating a textbook Hiatal Hernia.

Therefore, if you have a Hiatal Hernia you DO have GERD. But, despite what conventional medicine says, when you have GERD, chronically, I have found that you are moving toward, or already have, a Hiatal Hernia, for the reasons I've just explained. 

As a note: 50% of GERD is "silent", meaning you can't feel it. So it can be happening due to a Hiatal Hernia, or better said, Hiatal Hernia Syndrome, and you won't know it. The symptoms associated with silent reflux are higher up in the esophagus and include: hoarseness, a cough, trouble swallowing, regurgitation, and more.

Because Hiatal Hernia Syndrome has so many symptoms associated with it, I do recommend that you get to the source of your GERD as soon as possible.  This will avoid things like bloating, gas, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety and panic attacks.

In summary, it's not difficult to get to the root cause of GERD or treat Hiatal Hernia Syndrome, if you already have it. 

We are here to help so consider contacting us for a consultation: call 727-335-0400.

Burping is normal until it isn't. It isn't normal to have a lot of burping and it isn't normal to feel uncomfortable such that you wish you could burp. And it's definitely not normal to have burping that lessens symptoms of heart palpitations, anxiety or panic attacks.

There's a nervous system connection that I think you'll find fascinating, especially if you suffer from Hiatal Hernia Syndrome symptoms: including reflux, gas, bloat, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety or panic attacks.

The specific nerve I'm referring to is the vagus nerve - your longest cranial nerve. The vagus nerve is all about relaxing and calming. So if your esophagus has trapped gas, your short of breath, having heart palpitations or anxiety, those are all symptoms of a sluggish, irritated vagus nerve.

The vagus nerve can get irritated secondarily to acid reflux because the stomach is pushing up against the base of your esophagus where the vagus nerve is located in a web-like fashion. The vagus nerve travels to most of your organs, but many of its symptoms are digestive and mood related. 

The diaphragm is also irritated in Hiatal Hernia Syndrome due to the stomach elevation pushing on it and creating some spasming. Again, you'll find it interesting that a branch of the vagus nerve becomes the nerve that travels to the diaphragm (your phrenic nerve). It is lack of normal diaphragmatic movement that can create not only shortness of breath, but panic attacks and anxiety. 

If you suffer from a lot of burping, you may never have made the correlation between your burping and the other symptoms I've mentioned. But they very much can be related and the root cause is not difficult to treat.

If this sounds like you or someone near and dear to you, consider giving us a call for a consultation: call 727-335-0400. We're here to help!

Are you taking a beta blocker? It's one of the most prescribed drugs in the U.S., so you're in very good company. But perhaps you don't have heart failure or high blood pressure. Perhaps you were prescribed the drug due to heart palpitations or anxiety.

If so, please listen. You truly may be able to avoid the dangerous side effects of this drug while restoring your health naturally.

What do beta blockers do? Beta blockers are used to reduce your heart's pumping force, decreasing the number of times if beats per minute.
Beta blockers also block the effect of adrenaline on your nervous system, so are used to reduce anxiety.

Primarily the drug is used for high blood pressure and heart failure, but also for irregular heartbeats and anxiety.

The drug is not without side effects - no drug is. You can expect side effects of include: shortness of breath, decreased blood pressure to the point that you're dizzy or lightheaded, irregular heart rhythm (yes, perhaps the reason you were given it!), fatigue, nausea, insomnia, ED and sexual dysfunction, along with hypoglycemia that results in passing out, confusion and/or seizures.

What if you could get to the root cause of your heart palpitations (arrhythmias) or anxiety and treat it naturally, making it unnecessary to continue the beta blocker?

We see this often with our patients suffering from Hiatal Hernia Syndrome. It's the pressure on the stomach which spasms your diaphragm and elevates both organs up into the area where you heart sits. The result? Heart palpitations and/or anxiety. The root cause is actually digestive in nature and the treatment is natural, no drugs or surgery.

And if you do have high blood pressure, please know that we are very successful getting to the root cause of it as well.

The summary is that beta blockers are commonly prescribed but not always necessary - there is a natural alternative.

Do you want to learn more?
Contact us for a consultation: call 727-335-0400.

The connection between your stomach and your heart (called gastro-cardiac reflex) is a real one that's been well documented. Even though the connection is understood, you may very well have been told by your doctor, cardiologist or gastroenterologist that no such connection exists.

You've perhaps felt the connection between your heart and your digestion, but not gotten any validation from your doctor.

Symptoms include bloat, gas, acid reflux, regurgitation, shortness of breath, anxiety, and heart palpitations, to name a few.

Treatment involves a number of medications to treat both high and low blood pressure, anticonvulsants, and antacids, of course. The side effects of these drugs include many of the same symptoms of hiatal hernia including dizziness, constipation, nausea, fatigue, rapid heart rate, and cognitive decline, to name just a few.

These drugs do nothing to treat the root cause and in fact can create more of the same symptoms.

I'm assuming when I share this with you that you have had your heart checked and you do not have heart disease. That should always be ruled out. But when it is and you continue to suffer with heart palpitations, please know there IS a root cause and it's generally treated successfully, naturally.

If you've been suffering with this and you're frustrated as to what you can do to really fix it, consider reaching out for a consultation. We're here to help! Call us at 727-335-0400.

If you suffer from Hiatal Hernia Syndrome and its attendant symptoms of reflux, GERD, bloating, burping, stomach pressure, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and anxiety.... yes, a very long list - I don't need to tell you how miserable it is.

With the Holidays fast approaching I wanted to give you some tip to help you get through the Holiday meals with less discomfort.

1. Stick with real food. Avoid the overprocessed, high sugar and preservative foods.
2. Use box breathing before meals or whenever you're feeling anxious. (I describe how to do this in the video).
3. Eat slowly - chew, chew, chew and put down your fork between bites and engage in conversation.
4. Don't overeat. Your hiatal hernia symptoms will really flare up with an overfull stomach.
5. Between meals, hydrate.
6. Take a 20 minutes walk/stroll after meals.
7. Stay upright for 3 hours after a meal. Either walking or at least sitting upright to help digestion.
8. If you are getting heart palpitations, try changing position - bending left or right, stretching your arms overhead, strolling - see what abates your symptoms.
9. Finally, consider bringing some of your own 'safe food' to a dinner to ensure you have something to eat that you know you do well with.

And enjoy the time, conversation and relaxation time the holidays bring vs focusing on the "bad food" too often present.

Let me know how this works for you!

When you're ready to improve your health, consider reaching out to us for a consultation. Call 727-335-0400.

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 small

The 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 boo

The human body is an incredible machine. Did you know that you have something called the migrating motor complex (MMC) which is a pattern of rhythmic contractions that occur in your stomach and small intestine between meals? It starts 3 hours after you stop eating and lasts for 90 - 115 minutes.

Its purpose is to cleanse your stomach and propel undigested food, bacteria and other waste products towards your colon where you can then excrete them.

Disorders linked to a problematic MMC are SIBO, IBS and gut infections.

Treatment to optimize your MMC involves decreasing stress, waiting 4 to 5 hours between meals, having a 12-14 hour overnight fast, and normalizing vagus nerve function.

Hiatal hernia syndrome is associated with SIBO, IBS and gut infections. Plus it is also associated with an increased stress response and vagal nerve irritation. I thought the association was fascinating and wanted to share how treating Hiatal Hernia Syndrome in the way we do will also optimize your MMC.

If you need help optimizing your health please consider contacting us for a consultation: 727--335-0400.

If the symptom has occurred concurrently with heart palpitations or a panic attach, you've likely ended up in the ER or Urgent Care, worried for your life. Once tests have been done and you're told your heart and lungs are fine, you were likely sent home with the diagnosis of a panic attack. 

You know yourself; if you're not an anxious person, this diagnosis just doesn't make sense. You are now in the dilemma of knowing something is wrong but you're not getting any corroboration from your doctors.

Perhaps you've sought out a pulmonologist (lung doctor), only to be told that your lungs are normal.

What is it? The answer lies in your stomach. It sounds odd but your shortness of breath is coming from a spasm of your diaphragm which doesn't allow for normal air flow. The reason your diaphragm is spasmed is due to your stomach pushing up on it. And the reason your stomach is elevated and spasmed has to do with digestive imbalance that you may or not be aware of. 

Let's face it. Not being able to breathe normally is stressful. Add in some heart palpitations and/or a panic attack and it's down right frightening. You don't need to continue suffering. There's an answer and the treatment is natural - no drugs or surgery. 

Consider contacting us for a consultation and we can discover the true root cause of your breathing issues. 

Call 727-335-0400. We treat patients across the country.

Book your consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/

The body fat you can’t see is making you sick!

We know that excess body fat is a problem, but I think you'll be amazed to learn of a type of body fat that only involves a small amount of fat yet it's the most dangerous when it comes to your health.

There are 3 depots or storage areas for fat. The first is subcutaneous which simple means beneath your skin. This is the fat you can see on your body, excluding belly fat.

You can develop a fairly large amount of subcutaneous fat before it "spills out" of the fat cells and starts to create a burden on your body.

Per Dr Robert Lustig, the amount is 22 pounds or 10 kilos. It takes that much subcutaneous fat to overburden your body and move you towards diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease and cognitive decline and dementia. The location of this fat is usually in the butt or thigh or even arms.

The second type of depot if visceral fat. This is belly fat and it takes about 5 pounds of this before the overflow burdens your body causing inflammation and leading to disease. The cause of body fat is stress. We're talking about chronic stress that elevates your hormone cortisol and causes you to lay down belly fat.

I review some strategies to deal with this type of fat in the video.

The third and most dangerous depot is liver fat. When your liver is overburdened, insulin rises and you get the diseases of inflammation mentioned above. Why is this the worst? Because it only take 1/2 pound of fat to overburden the liver and begin the cascade of inflammation. The cause of liver fat is sugar and alcohol.

I discuss the dangers of artificial sweeteners so don't substitute one for the other.

If you need help to diminish the fat levels in your body and to reverse the diseases of inflammation, my team and I are here for you.

Call us for a consultation: 727-335-0400.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of your body's adaptive capacity and resilience to challenge or stress. Specifically it is a sign of resilience of your autonomic nervous system - the part of your nervous system counterbalanced by the sympathetic, fight or flight nervous system. While the sympathetic nervous system gets you going, the parasympathetic is the rest, digest and relax part of your nervous system.

It is your vagus nerve, as part of your parasympathetic nervous system which slows your heartbeat and elongates the time between beat of your heart. The sympathetic nervous system does the reverse. You can think of it like your car - for an ideal driving experience you need to both accelerate and slow down as appropriate. 

HRV, when healthy is the variation of time intervals between each heartbeat. Your heart should not beat like a metronome at a steady beat, but variations between the beats are ideal. Your HRV is influenced by physical activity, breathing, emotions and hormonal change.

The higher/healthier your HRV, the lower your risk of heart disease, the greater your emotional well-being, the better your recovery from illness and injury and the more enhanced your exercise performance.

You can go online to see what your HRV range should be based on your age. There are several devices that measure your HRV: apple watch, or Fitbit or Oura ring or Whoop band. If you don't have access to any of these you can try this exercise:
Sit comfortably and the do a 60 second sprint (if this is appropriate for your health status) and then sit back down and see how fast your heartrate slows back down and you can concentrate and easily get back to work. Was this easily done or did you have a hard time either revving up or slowing down? This will pinpoint the part of your nervous system which needs support.

If your resting heart rate (HR) is greater than 70 beats per minute it indicates your sympathetic nervous system is too dominant and your vagus nerve, a major component of your parasympathetic nervous system, is not signaling correctly.

This is correctable naturally. 

Hopefully you found this information helpful. Optimizing your HRV is something we help each individual to do based on their health history and what they're experiencing. It is very worth your while to get your HRV in a good range.

If you need assistance improving your health, reach out for a consultation. Call 727-335-0400.

Is you're a woman and losing muscle tone and strength I've got some good news for you. If you've been noticing a decrease in your muscle tone along with an increase in fat gain with age, this isn't inevitable, meaning you CAN do something about it.

Muscle protein synthesis, the repair and growth of muscle which is the opposite of muscle wasting and loss of strength is dependent upon protein.

In order to start building and repairing muscle you need protein, but specifically an essential amino acid, leucine, in the quantity of 2.5 to 3 grams 2x/day. Leucine, an essential amino acid, is the specific one you need to ensure you get enough of. Now, you don't want to take only leucine, but rather ensure the protein you're consuming has a good amount of it along with the other 9 essential amino acids. The 11 non-essential ones can be gotten easily as your body makes them.

As we get older we need more protein but less calories and more intense exercise - resistance training. That's a lot to confront but I'm happy to help you figure it all out. It turns out that we are less efficient at extracting protein from the food we eat as we age. Add that to a slower metabolism and it's critical for long-term health that we understand the nuances of aging and our strength of overall body composition.

So when designing protein intake with a mindset of adequate leucine, high quality protein and moderate to low calories you need to know some specifics.

Let's talk about a few common foods and how much you need to consume of each to get adequate leucine.
Whey protein isolate is number 1 with a single scoop providing great protein and leucine balance with only 100-120 calories.
Lean ground beef comes in second with 1/4 pound providing enough leucine at about 155 calories.
Salmon, about 7 ounces has a calories account of about 300 depending on the type of salmon.
Eggs are next but it takes 5 eggs to get adequate leucine with a calories count of 368.
Soy beans are 4th with less than 1/2 cup getting the leucine in but the calories are now mounting - 443 calories.
Pumpkin seeds require 3/4 of a cup with calories of 446.
Hemp seeds need more than a cup and calories are 573.
Peanuts require over 120 peanuts and 600 calories.

As you can see, while plant protein can still provide the needed leucine and balanced amino acids, we start "paying' for it in calories, so something to consider.

I hope this provided some valuable information for you.
If you need assistance in this area, please call my office at 727-335-0400 for a consultation.

There are a variety of symptoms that could be caused by an imbalance of your vagus nerve. Your vagus nerve is not only your longest cranial nerve, but it more parts of your body than you can imagine!

The symptoms of an imbalanced vagus nerve include:
- Heart palpitations
- Increased blood pressure
- Anxiety or Stress
- Acid reflux, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea
- Diseases of inflammation including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and autoimmune disease

Treatment of the vagus nerve is natural and gentle. No harsh drugs or surgery required.

To give you some more data about the vagus nerve, it works to balance your sympathetic, fight or flight nervous system. In fact it is the balance between the two which prevents the symptoms I list above from developing.

The sympathetic nervous system speeds up your heart; the vagus, as part of the parasympathetic nervous system, slows it down. 

You've likely heart of the gut-brain connection. When it comes to the primary pathway whereby your body is communicating to your brain, the one from your gut (microbiome) to your brain is the most prevalent one used and it passes through your vagus nerve. Your microbiome is estimated to contain 80 to 100 trillion bacteria plus parasites, viruses and fungal species. Your body, as a comparison, contains 40 to 60 trillion cells. 

The relationship between your gut and your brain is very interesting. Your microbiome contains both beneficial and hostile bacteria and 70% of your immune system is housed in your gut to prevent hostile bacteria from gaining entry intro your body's bloodstream. But enough hostile bacteria create  toxins which produce lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and they overwhelm the immune system triggering inflammation and leading to the inflammatory diseases killing most Americans. 

Here's where the vagus nerve comes in: How responsive your body is to the early triggers depends on how burdened your vagus nerve is from other sources. In other words, a healthy vagus nerve will enhance immune function and your body will be robust in its response to the bad organisms.

Further, the vagus nerve can be involved in gastroparesis or slowed digestion. If you feel like your food just "sits there" in your gut for hours, this is a symptom of slowed digestion.

The vagus nerve also influences the release of enzymes from the pancreas, crucial to digestion of all types of food. 

Your vagus supports lung function - breathing and respiration. And the vagus is involved in detoxification through your liver and kidneys.

The vagus also manages fluid and electrolyte balance affecting your blood pressure.

Finally, your vagus nerve involves emotional regulation - how you perceives the world around you and whether you react to it feeling stress, anxiety, moodiness and more. The vagus nerve is like a sixth sense, creating homeostasis when functioning normally and emotional instability when malfunctioning.

I hope you've gained a new found respect for your vagus nerve! Simple exercises such as humming, belly breathing (box breathing), gargling, and other relaxation techniques can help take the edge off an imbalanced vagus nerve. 

There is also a vagus nerve stimulator the is quite affordable that you can use at home. Contact my office for more information on it: 727-335-0400. The device is simple to use but it would be part of a coordinated program, not a "magic pill" as it were.

Vagus nerve imbalance is common yet very treatable as part of a program that addresses gut and immune and hormonal health naturally.

If you'd like assistance improving your health, we're here for you. Contact us for a consultation. 727-335-0400

Your Shortness of Breath IS a stomach issue!

If you've suffered from labored breathing, air hunger, breathlessness and the like, you know how concerning it can be.  You may have difficulty getting a deep breath and find yourself breathing shallowly from your chest instead of nice belly breaths.

If the symptom has occurred concurrently with heart palpitations or a panic attach, you've likely ended up in the ER or Urgent Care, worried for your life. Once tests have been done and you're told your heart and lungs are fine, you were likely sent home with the diagnosis of a panic attack. 

You know yourself;  if you're not an anxious person, this diagnosis just doesn't make sense. You are now in the dilemma of knowing something is wrong but you're not getting any corroboration from your doctors.

Perhaps you've sought out a pulmonologist (lung doctor), only to be told that your lungs are normal.

What is it? The answer lies in your stomach. It sounds odd but your shortness of breath is coming from a spasm of your diaphragm which doesn't allow for normal air flow. The reason your diaphragm is spasmed is due to your stomach pushing up on it. And the reason your stomach is elevated and spasmed has to do with digestive imbalance that you may or not be aware of.

Let's face it. Not being able to breathe normally is stressful. Add in some heart palpitations and/or a panic attack and it's down right frightening.

You don't need to continue suffering. There's an answer and the treatment is natural - no drugs or surgery.

Consider contacting us for a consultation and we can discover the true root cause of your breathing issues. Call 727-335-0400. We treat patients across the country and internationally.

Book a consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of your body's adaptive capacity and resilience to challenge or stress. Specifically it is a sign of resilience of your autonomic nervous system - the part of your nervous system counterbalanced by the sympathetic, fight or flight nervous system. While the sympathetic nervous system gets you going, the parasympathetic is the rest, digest and relax part of your nervous system.

It is your vagus nerve, as part of your parasympathetic nervous system which slows your heartbeat and elongates the time between beat of your heart. The sympathetic nervous system does the reverse. You can think of it like your car - for an ideal driving experience you need to both accelerate and slow down as appropriate. 

HRV, when healthy is the variation of time intervals between each heartbeat. Your heart should not beat like a metronome at a steady beat, but variations between the beats are ideal. Your HRV is influenced by physical activity, breathing, emotions and hormonal change.

The higher/healthier your HRV, the lower your risk of heart disease, the greater your emotional well-being, the better your recovery from illness and injury and the more enhanced your exercise performance.

You can go online to see what your HRV range should be based on your age. There are several devices that measure your HRV: apple watch, or Fitbit or Oura ring or Whoop band. If you don't have access to any of these you can try this exercise:
Sit comfortably and the do a 60 second sprint (if this is appropriate for your health status) and then sit back down and see how fast your heartrate slows back down and you can concentrate and easily get back to work. Was this easily done or did you have a hard time either revving up or slowing down? This will pinpoint the part of your nervous system which needs support.

If your resting heart rate (HR) is greater than 70 beats per minute it indicates your sympathetic nervous system is too dominant and your vagus nerve, a major component of your parasympathetic nervous system, is not signaling correctly.

This is correctable naturally. 

Hopefully you found this information helpful. Optimizing your HRV is something we help each individual to do based on their health history and what they're experiencing. It is very worth your while to get your HRV in a good range.

If you need assistance improving your health, reach out for a consultation. Call 727-335-0400.

If you have acid reflux or GERD and also suffer from heart palpitations, this data is for you.

Back in the early 1900s, Ludwig von Roemheld coined the Roemheld Syndrome where he described a cluster of cardiovascular symptoms (think heart palpitations, tachycardia, dizziness, vertigo and elevated blood pressure) that were stimulated by gastrointestinal (gut) changes. The gut symptoms included gas, bloating, constipation, hiatal hernia and more.

Roemheld explained how gut imbalance compresses the vagus nerve (your longest cranial nerve) slowing your heart. The slowed heart then stimulates the "fight or flight" part of your nervous system in order to prevent your heart rate from diminishing too much. The result is heart palpitations, sometimes elevated blood pressure and/or tachycardia.

The patient's heart is fine. You may have experienced this after an ER visit where you have worried you were having a heart attack. But the heart is not diseased.

It is worth noting that Roemheld lived in the early 1900s and today his Syndrome is considered obsolete, which is why your doctors give no credence to the association between gut imbalance and heart symptoms.

Even more annoying is the direction to doctors stating that once the heart tests normal, the next step for the patient is a psych evaluation. If you've ever been told it's "all in your head", you now know why.

Call 727-335-0400 to book a consultation. Check out the website here: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-natural-treatment/

We know that being hydrated is a good idea, but where did the recommendation for 8 glasses of water come from?
How much water do we really need and does it affect your weight?

Drinking water causes your to burn more calories for about an hour. We can be strategic and us this data, but let's look at some more research first.

A study had individuals drink 2 glasses (1/2 litre) of water before a meal and they burned 24% more calories despite being completely inactive during the time evaluated. Participants lost 2-5 pounds per month over the several months they were observed.

Another study had participants either drink 1 glass of water before a meal or no water. Those who drank the water ate 24% less calories at their meal and were completely satisfied as compared to the control group who ate more.

A very exciting study out of Germany published in April 2023 in the Journal Children evaluated what happened when some secondary schools had water fountains installed. In addition to the presence of the fountains, the children were educated as to the importance of drinking water. The control group consisted of several other secondary schools that didn't have the fountains installed and similarly received no pro-water education.

The results were rather outstanding. The children, followed for a year, drank, on average an extra 1.1 glasses of water AND their obesity risk dropped 31%! 

It turns out the 8 glasses of water recommendation stems from a 1945 dietary paper that included not only how many water an individual drank but also the fact that food contains water. Watermelon is  more than 90% water. Many fruits and vegetables also contain high percentages of water and even animal protein contains some. Therefore, the recommendations were misunderstood to mean ONLY water consumption as a beverage instead of including food sources

Where does that leave us? The sweet spot seems to be about 5 1/2 glasses of water with the rest coming from a healthy diet.

Those who need more water include the following:
If you suffer from UTIs (urinary tract infections)
Constipation
Kidney stones or cysts - these individuals are often recommended to consume up to 12 glasses.
A pregnant or nursing woman
Diarrhea.

If you're having trouble losing weight, feel free to reach out for a consultation.
For appointments, call the front desk at 727-335-0400

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 fat
muscle and bone loss
type 2 diabetes
heart disease
fatty liver
dementia.

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 fat
2. makes muscles stronger
3. makes anti-inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) which lower disease risk
4. increases neuroplasticity of the brain, produces more brain cells and makes more lactate - protecting against dementia
5. benefits sleep quality
6. balances mood

80% 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 Med

Watson 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

Can you really "cure" type 2 diabetes? Can you keep your blood sugar stable and "wake up" your pancreas even if you've had the disease for a decade?

The answer is "yes" per Dr Roy Taylor who wrote a book on it. 
The mechanism of how he reversed type 2 diabetes is what is so interesting. 

If you have type 2 diabetes, have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or have had gestational diabetes, this data is for you.

Here's some data:
Your liver helps to maintain your blood glucose levels in response to pancreatic hormones.
When you eat a meal with glucose it enters the liver and your blood glucose rises. Excess glucose is dealt with by converting it into glycogen which is stored in the liver.

Dr Taylor realized that most people with type 2 diabetes have a fatty liver, and pancreas for that matter.

He postulated that is was the fat buildup that was causing the type 2 diabetes.
When he put people on a very low calorie diet (I don't think you have to go this route - more on this later) their liver fat normalized in just one week! The fat in the liver is "eaten" preferentially first when the body is on limited calories. The pancreas also lost its fat, albeit more slowly. 
What was very exciting was the pancreas' insulin producing cells "woke up" and started producing insulin again - the mark of reversal of the disease.

The key was found in an individuals personalized fat threshold. Interestingly, this is different in each person, but it's a level that once you go above it you start developing fat infiltration of your liver and pancreas.

Here's what you can do to make this exciting change:
Eliminate or limit drastically any refined sugar intake.
Also eliminate or limit drastically alcohol consumption.
Say "no" to ultra-processed foods and junk foods.
Say "no" to processed meats.
Limit your saturated fat intake to about 7% or less of your total calories.
Say "yes" to fruits and veggies.
Say "yes" to beans and legumes and whole grains (think quinoa, gluten-free oats)
Say "yes" to good fats - mono and polyunsaturated fats.

I recommend you exercise but avoid falling prey to "compensatory eating" where you burn calories exercising and decide you can then eat more calories.

Don't starve yourself but try the above formula and see how you do.
Let me know!

For appointments, call the front desk at 727-335-0400

Is your stomach causing your heart palpitations? Probably yes. Finally a cardiologist confirms the association between hiatal hernia and heart palpitations. Watch Dr. Vikki new video on the topic.

*Summary of the video*
*Stomach-related palpitations can be caused by a hiatal hernia or inflammation of the gut, and can be treated through natural modalities to address root causes without drugs or surgery.*

00:00
If you've experienced heart palpitations, pressure in your chest, and visited the ER only to be told your heart is fine, it may be related to hiatal hernia syndrome.

01:23
Stomach bloating and inflammation can cause the diaphragm to pinch the heart, leading to palpitations, a condition called gastric cardio syndrome.Expand 

03:32
The vagus nerve, which goes to both the heart and stomach, can cause palpitations if overly stimulated or irritated, but is also responsible for slowing the heart and needs to function in a balanced way.

04:37
The natural pacemaker in the heart keeps the pace right, but if the vagus nerve is irritated and heart rate goes too low, other parts of the heart will stimulate and cause heart palpitations or ectopic beats.

05:39
The program deals with anatomical changes, inflammation of the gut, positioning of the diaphragm, and normalization of vagus nerve function through natural modalities to treat stomach-related palpitations without drugs or surgery.

06:55
Aspirin can cause inflammation in the gut and proton pump inhibitors can prevent absorption of key minerals and vitamins important for regular heart rhythm, so it's important to consider alternatives and address root causes.

08:36
The root cause of stomach-related palpitations is often a hiatal hernia or hiatal hernia syndrome, which can cause pinching on the heart and change its location.

09:34
People with stomach issues may experience palpitations that are often misdiagnosed as anxiety and treated with psychiatric medication, when in reality there is an easy solution.

For a hiatal hernia consultation, contact our doctors at the clinic at 727-335-0400.
You can also visit: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-naturalsolution/

Hiatal Hernia Syndrome can be composed of a variety of symptoms that are severe and can result in visits to the ER. Most often patients I meet have had one or more ER visits because they were convinced they were having a heart attack. 

Once that's ruled out, patients are often then diagnosed with anxiety and put on dangerous medications.

Almost standardly the patient is minimally given an acid blocker like omeprazole, which unfortunately can be the exact wrong treatment since their problem isn't due to true excess acid.

Some of the symptoms found in Hiatal Hernia Syndrome are as follows:
Acid reflux or GERD
Bloating, Gas
Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Heart palpitations and chest pain
Pressure in chest
Fatigue
Insomnia
Constipation or Diarrhea
Shortness of breath
Trouble swallowing or a sore throat
Tingling in hands or feet
Burping
Symptoms worsen when bending over
and more...

What's important is to get to the true root cause of the problem and with that accomplished the problem can be fully remedied.

For appointments, call the front desk at 727-335-0400

No matter your age, it's not too soon.

7 Steps:
1. Physical activity - especially resistance training to build lean muscle
2. Healthy diet - think Mediterranean diet and especially avoid highly processed foods. Ensure you don't have a gluten sensitivity.
3. Little to no alcohol - recent research has revealed there is no healthy level of alcohol. 
4. Don't smoke. Nothing more needs to be said.
5. No sugar - it's inflammatory, weakens the immune system and has no redeemable qualities.
6. Social interaction
7. Normalize sex hormones.

If you have brain fog, memory issues, dementia or Alzheimer's in your family, please reach out for a natural program that is tailored to you and works!

For appointments, call the front desk at 727-335-0400

Ozempic, Wegovy - both are weight loss drugs who's active ingredient is semiglutide.
Fast weight loss has always been a bad idea and these drugs continue to prove the point.

Weight rebound is common, not to mention the risk of kidney failure, pancreatitis and gall bladder issues.

A recent study (remember these drugs are fairly new) showed that once people stopped the drug their rebound weight loss for 2/3 of what they had lost in the first year. Likely, as they are followed longer, the typical weight gain of more than they lost will be seen; we'll see as further studies occur.
It "sounds" great to lose weight fast, but the side effects are a very bad idea.

For appointments, call the front desk at 727-335-0400
RootCauseMedicalClinics.com

Green drinks can be great to augment your veggie consumption, but I have a BIG warning for you if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

The particulars are in the video, but suffice to say if your green drink contains wheat grass or barley grass, the potential for getting "glutened" is too high to chance it.

The companies who manufacture these products are doing their best, but unfortunately "grass" can become gluten in just a matter of days. I caution my patients away from these products.

For appointments, call us at 727-335-0400 or visit: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/contact/

Hiatal Hernias are interesting in that larger hernias don't necessarily cause more intense symptoms. Factually, small hernias can still cause misery with everything from shortness of breath, acid reflux, heart palpitations, panic attacks and more.

In this video I explain why a small hiatal hernia can result in miserable symptoms.
The good news is that you don't need to continue suffering.

Reach out for a consultation: www.RootCauseMedicalClinics.com or call 727-335-0400.

A sliding hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. It is the most common type of hiatal hernia. Sliding hiatal hernias may cause symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.
 
If this sounds like you, call us at 727-335-0400.

Antacids are medications that are commonly used to neutralize stomach acid and provide relief from symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, and acid reflux. While antacids can be effective in relieving these symptoms, they can also have some potential drawbacks:

1 Masking underlying conditions: Antacids can temporarily relieve symptoms caused by underlying conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or peptic ulcers. By masking these symptoms, antacids may delay the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, which can lead to more serious health problems in the long run.

2 Acid rebound: Antacids work by neutralizing stomach acid, but this can actually trigger the body to produce more acid in response, leading to a phenomenon called “acid rebound.” This can cause a cycle of using more and more antacids to alleviate symptoms, which can lead to overuse and potential complications.

3 Nutrient deficiencies: Long-term use of antacids can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B12. This can lead to deficiencies, which can cause a range of health problems.
 
4 Interaction with other medications: Antacids can interact with other medications, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter supplements, leading to reduced effectiveness or potential side effects.
 
5 Side effects: Antacids can cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and headache, heart disease, kidney failure, and dementia.

Book your health consultation at 727-335-0400

#antacids #holistichealth #alternativemedicine #health

In this webinar by Dr. Vikki Petersen, you will get a deeper understanding on what a hiatal hernia is, how we have had success treating it and the best solution for you. 

Get lasting relief from your symptoms through treatment at Root Cause Medical Clinic - the #1 Clinic Treating Hiatal Hernia Syndrome Naturally

Call us at 727-335-0400 to schedule a consultation or visit www.RootCauseMedicalClinics.com

#hiatalhernia #acidreflux #GERD #rootcause

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 pu

Sleep is incredibly important for our overall health and well-being. During sleep, our body goes through important restorative processes that help us function at our best.

Some key reasons why sleep is important are restoration, repair, physical health, Mental clarity, and performance.

Overall, getting adequate sleep is essential for our physical and mental health, and it is important to prioritize getting enough rest each night. The recommended amount of sleep varies depending on age, but most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

Book your health consultation at 727-335-0400

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a molecule that is essential for many biological processes in the body. 

Some of the key benefits of NAD+ include:

Energy production: NAD+ plays a key role in the cellular energy production process, helping to convert the food we eat into energy that our cells can use.

DNA repair: NAD+ is involved in the maintenance of DNA stability and plays a crucial role in the DNA repair process. Anti-aging: NAD+ levels decline as we age, which is thought to contribute to the aging process. 

Boosting NAD+ levels has been shown to improve cellular function, slow the aging process, and improve overall health and well-being.

Cognitive function: NAD+ is important for maintaining healthy brain function and has been shown to improve cognitive performance in aging individuals.

Metabolism: NAD+ is involved in the regulation of metabolism and has been shown to improve metabolic function and help with weight management.

To book your NAD+ Appointment call: 727-335-0400

Stool tests can provide important information about a person's digestive and overall health. Some of the key benefits of stool tests include:

Detecting gastrointestinal disorders: Stool tests can help detect conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, and infection with parasites.

Identifying nutrient deficiencies: Stool tests can reveal if a person is deficient in certain nutrients, such as iron or vitamin B12, which can impact their overall health.

Screening for colon cancer: Some stool tests can detect blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of colon cancer.

Monitoring treatment effectiveness: For people with digestive disorders, stool tests can be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and detect any potential complications.

Improving gut health: Stool tests can provide important information about the balance of bacteria in the gut, which can help identify imbalances and suggest ways to improve gut health.

Book an at 727-335-0400 at Root Cause Medical Clinic

The distinction between Hiatal Hernia and Hiatal Hernia Syndrome is critical to your health.If you don't have a visualized hiatal hernia on a scope, you can be told you don't have Hiatal Hernia Syndrome.

You're told you symptoms like heart palpitations, shortness of breath, panic attacks, pressure in your chest and more, are "all in your head" because they couldn't possibly be caused by a Hiatal Hernia.

Hiatal Hernia Syndrome ruins lives.
Get out of the trap of misdiagnosis.
Watch this video and please share it with others.

Sign up for your personalized consultation: https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-naturalsolution-2/

Do you struggle with PCOS? The solution is a natural one.

PCOS affects about 20% of women in child-bearing age. Symptoms of PCOS include infertility, cysts on the ovaries, hair loss (male pattern baldness), facial hair, weight gain and more.

In this video we review exciting research that truly uncovers the root cause of PCOS, excluding the use of the dangerous drugs so often prescribed.
This video is also one to share with you male friends, listen to find out why!

This is a very common situation that I find a lot of our patients in. Depending on your symptoms whether it be heart palpitations, anxiety, stomach issues, feeling out of breath - there is one root cause to all of these. That's the Hiatal Hernia Syndrome. 

Doctors tend to tell you that it's all in your head. This is not the case. Listen to the video and comment below your questions.

Book a consultation by calling: 727-335-0400 or visit our website https://rootcausemedicalclinics.com/hiatal-hernia-naturalsolution/

There's a reason why so many are confused about celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Doctors wrongly assess their patients and you deserve better. If you are feeling symptoms after eating gluten, you are right in thinking you are sensitive. Have a listen to learn the specifics about this test and how you can make sure you're diagnosed properly. 

Learn more: https://www.rootcausemedicalclinics.com/blog/category/digestion/celiac-gluten-sensitivity/
Contact us for a consultation: 408-733-0400
info@rootcausemedical.com

Research shows that some hours of fasting (not starving!) can create great health benefits for heart disease, diabetes, obesity and degenerative brain diseases. Is it right for you? Find out from a doctor.

Contact us for a FREE consultation: www.RootCauseMedicalClinic.com
Give us a call to schedule directly: 408-733-0400

What we put in our mouths affects our mood.

Certainly, many have experienced this if they have over-indulged in sugary foods. Case in point: kids who've had too much sugar tend to get really hyperactive and cranky at the same time. 

What are the foods that are good for your mood? Watch the full episode to find out!

Contact us at 408-733-0400
Visit us at: www.RootCauseMedicalClinics.com

Migraine is a genetic neurological condition that causes some brain cells to fatigue much easier than they are supposed to. When brain cells fatigue they can no longer appropriately do their job, which leads to symptoms. The most common migraine symptom is headache, but some never experience migraine-type headaches. Some migraine sufferers may only experience dizziness, nausea/vomiting, visual disturbances, numbness, weakness, light/sound/smell sensitivity, or fatigue. Oftentimes a migraine patient may experience a combination of these symptoms.

While migraine is a neurological issue, there are 4 primary triggers that will fatigue your brain and increase the likelihood of having a migraine. These triggers are nutritional stress, hormonal stress, musculoskeletal stress, and psychological stress.

We aim to identify which brain cells are dysfunctional and carefully rehabilitate them so that they can get stronger. We also work to identify and treat any triggers that are contributing to your migraines. We accomplish this through consultation and assessment, teaching you at-home therapies, managing your nutrition/hormone balance, and guiding you to additional practitioners and services near your home that may also be beneficial for you, if necessary. Our primary goal is to help you live your ideal life, without symptoms!

Visit our website to learn more: https://www.rootcausemedicalclinics.c...
Schedule a consultation by calling: 408-733-0400

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 Tips
To 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 direc

Suffering from mysterious symptoms and your primary care physician just can't seem to figure out why?  Find out what Dr. Vikki has to say about Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and see if this autoimmune condition can be reversed!

Want to learn more? Give us a call to schedule your free consultation directly: 408-733-0400

Visit our website at: https://www.rootcausemedicalclinics.com

We've learned a lot about the importance of balancing our vitamin D3 and K2 levels. Find out  the best form of vitamin K2, what foods contain it naturally, the difference between vitamins K1 and K2 and why taking D3 without K2 can create dangerous health conditions.

Want to boost your Vitamins D3 and K2? One day left in our immune mega-boost supplement sale! Shop now at  https://www.rootcausemedicalclinics.com/store

Give us a call to schedule directly: 408-733-0400

The term "Menopause" simply means a "pause" to a woman's menstrual cycle: and that's what it should just be!

Just because a woman is in this stage of her life, it doesn't mean that it's inevitable for her to experience the symptoms that come along with menopause.

This is something that Root Cause Medical Clinics has a lot of experience on. Watch the full video to discover how we help our patients overcome this much-dreaded stage in a woman's life.

Change your health by contacting us for a consultation. 
Contact us at: https://www.rootcausemedicalclinics.com/our-unique-clinic/
408-733-0400