Spices Struggles and Management How GERD Was Controlled with Care

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a widespread yet often debilitating condition that affects people across age groups and lifestyles. Although commonly associated with high-stress professions, even homemakers—especially those managing age-related health challenges—can experience significant distress due to GERD. This case study narrates the journey of a 66-year-old housewife who had been battling chronic GERD for over three years. Through individualized homeopathic treatment, she experienced significant and sustained improvement. Her story illustrates the holistic and personalized nature of homeopathy and its potential to offer long-term relief from chronic conditions.

Patient Profile

The patient (Patient ID: 52297), a 66-year-old homemaker, contacted Life Force Homeopathy, Jayanagar Branch, via online consultation on 19th August 2023 for her complaints of GERD. She had been suffering from the condition for over three years. Her primary symptoms included a persistent cough with sticky sputum, mucus accumulation in the throat, food regurgitation, heartburn, and bloating. These symptoms typically worsen after meals—especially when consuming spicy or restaurant food. Her cough was most prominent in the morning upon waking.

Despite following dietary restrictions and regularly using antacids, her symptoms had progressively worsened over the past year. The discomfort interfered with her daily routine, impacted her ability to concentrate on household tasks, and took a toll on her emotional well-being. Although her allopathic physician had prescribed antacids, the relief was short-lived, and symptoms consistently returned upon stopping the medication.

Case History and Homeopathic Approach:

In homeopathy, accurate remedy selection involves a deep understanding of the patient’s physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. A comprehensive case history was recorded for this patient.

Physical Profile:

She followed a strict vegetarian diet and had an average appetite. Her thirst was markedly low, consuming only 4 to 5 glasses of water per day. She experienced average, generalized perspiration and could not tolerate cold weather. Her bowel movements were generally satisfactory, although she reported a burning sensation after defecation. A similar burning sensation was occasionally present during urination as well. Her sleep was sound, and she preferred lying on her side.

Mental and Emotional Profile:

Psychologically, she was a calm, affectionate, and spiritual individual. She tended to internalize her emotions and rarely shared her problems with others. Her reserved nature often led her to suppress emotional distress. Intellectually, she was alert and showed no signs of cognitive decline. Her memory, reasoning, perception, and analytical skills were intact and well-functioning.

Detailed records of her medical history, current medications, and family health background were also maintained. Following an in-depth case analysis, Dr. Rajesh Shah devised a customized homeopathic treatment plan tailored to her constitution. Alongside the remedy, the patient was advised on appropriate dietary changes and lifestyle modifications to support her recovery.

Treatment Progress and Follow-Ups

First Follow-up (12th October 2023):

After nearly two months of treatment, the patient reported an overall improvement of about 10%. Her symptoms were still aggravated after waking up, especially when she went to bed soon after eating. She experienced only one episode of reflux in the past two months and required antacids for three days following the episode.

Second Follow-up (9th December 2023):

She showed further improvement and had stopped using antacids entirely in the last two months. Her overall condition was noticeably better.

Third Follow-up (4th February 2024):

The patient experienced a severe episode on 7th January 2024, presenting with vomiting, increased mucus production, cough, and intense heartburn. She required antacids for three days during this flare-up. Her case was reviewed again, and her homeopathic prescription was revised accordingly.

Subsequent Follow-ups:

From February 2024 onwards, no major episodes were reported. The patient showed steady and gradual improvement.

• By 3rd December 2024, her symptoms had improved by nearly 50%.
• By 9th August 2025, she reported an 80–90% improvement overall. Most significantly, she had been completely off all allopathic medication, including antacids, for nearly 1.5 years. She remained stable and symptom-free under continued homeopathic care.

The patient expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Shah and the Life Force Homeopathy team, describing the transformation in her health as life-changing.

Conclusion

While GERD is increasingly seen in young professionals due to fast-paced lifestyles and stress, it also affects older adults, including homemakers, who often suffer in silence. This case demonstrates how homeopathy—when practiced in a systematic, individualized, and holistic manner—can offer sustainable and gentle relief from chronic ailments. The patient''''''''s journey reflects the power of homeopathy not only to alleviate physical symptoms but also to enhance overall well-being, restore confidence, and reduce dependency on conventional medications.

• Case Study Done By Dr Poornima Purushothaman (Associate Doctor To Dr Rajesh Shah)