Heartburn & GERD
The standard story says heartburn means too much acid, so suppress it. For many people that's incomplete — and sometimes backwards.
Why heartburn often isn’t ‘too much acid’
A meaningful share of reflux is driven by low stomach acid, impaired motility, H. pylori, food triggers, or a mechanical issue at the valve between the stomach and esophagus. Long-term acid suppression manages the burn but can leave the actual cause untouched, and creates its own problems with nutrient absorption.
Dr. Gaucher's job is to find which mechanism is driving your reflux — then treat that.
Symptoms and patterns investigated
- Burning behind the breastbone, worse lying down or after meals
- Regurgitation, sour taste, or chronic throat clearing
- Bloating and early fullness in a meal
- Reflux that returns the moment antacids stop
- Symptoms linked to specific foods or to stress
Treatment approach
Treatment is matched to the mechanism: supporting digestion and stomach-acid function where it's low, addressing H. pylori or SIBO where present, identifying and removing dietary triggers, healing the gastric and esophageal lining, and using a structured, supported taper from acid-suppressing medication where appropriate.
Common questions
Can a naturopath help with GERD and heartburn in Victoria, BC?
Yes. Dr. Gaucher investigates the specific cause of reflux - low stomach acid, H. pylori, motility, food triggers, or SIBO - and treats the root rather than only suppressing acid.
Is heartburn always caused by too much stomach acid?
No. Many cases involve low stomach acid, impaired motility, H. pylori, or food triggers. The mechanism is assessed before recommending treatment.
Can I stop taking acid-suppressing medication?
Most patients can taper once the underlying cause is addressed. This should be done gradually and carefully, alongside a naturopathic or medical physician.