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 sourcesWhere 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)ConstipationKidney stones or cysts - these individuals are often recommended to consume up to 12 glasses.A pregnant or nursing womanDiarrhea.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

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.*00:00If 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.01:23Stomach bloating and inflammation can cause the diaphragm to pinch the heart, leading to palpitations, a condition called gastric cardio syndrome.Expand 03:32The 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.04:37The 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.05:39The 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.06:55Aspirin 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.08:36The 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.09:34People 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 GERDBloating, GasAnxietyPanic AttacksHeart palpitations and chest painPressure in chestFatigueInsomniaConstipation or DiarrheaShortness of breathTrouble swallowing or a sore throatTingling in hands or feetBurpingSymptoms worsen when bending overand 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 muscle2. 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 interaction7. 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 727-335-0400RootCauseMedicalClinics.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.