How to Know If You Have GERD Symptoms?

Nature Cure Yoga
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This post shares GERD risk factors and symptoms in detail. Here, you will read about the naturopathic approach to GERD.

GERD or Gastroesophageal reflux disease happens when acid present in the stomach flows back into the food pipe repeatedly. This reflux can irritate the esophagus and the patient may feel uncomfortable. It’s a digestive disorder that can turn chronic if left untreated. There are symptoms that a person should not ignore, such as-

  • Heartburn
  • Acidity
  • Backwash of food
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing
  • Vomiting
  • Sore throat
  • Lump sensation in the throat

What causes GERD?

Frequent acid reflux or repeated backwash of food causes GERD.

There is a circular band of muscle around the lower esophageal sphincter, which relaxes and lets the food or drink you have flow inside the stomach. After this, the sphincter shuts again. However, for GERD patients, this is not the case. The sphincter doesn’t relax and lets the food to flow back to the food pipe. The repeated backwash of acid irritates the esophagus lining and makes it inflamed.

Important Factors causing GERD

  1. Excessive pressure on abdomen. For instance, during pregnancy, women experience heartburn.
  2. Eating habits (having more fried and greasy food)
  3. Medication related to Asthma, high bp, painkillers, anti-depressants
  4. Obesity; your overweight might be other factor behind acidity
  5. Smoking
  6. Hiatal Hernia
  7. Sleeping within 3 hours post meal
  8. Large heavy meals at night
  9. Excess drinkig beverages like coffee, alcohol

Is Chronic GERD life-threatening?

GERD is not a life-threatening diseas, but long-term GERD can result in several health problems:

  • Esophagitis

An inflammation and irritation caused by stomach acid within the esophagus lining. Esophagitis can cause chest pain, bleeding, and esophagus ulcers and make swallowing challenging.

  • Esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer can be of two types- adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma type cancer develops within the lower part of the esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma affects the upper and middle parts of the esophagus.

  • Barrett’s esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus is a common condition among people with long-term GERD. This condition is a risk factor for esophagus cancer.

  • Strictures

Esophageal strictures can limit the traveling of food and drink from the throat to the stomach. These can be cancerous if left untreated.

Heartburn is an intensely painful and irritating sensation in the throat or chest. But there are natural ways to regulate your acidity and prevent it from becoming the chronic version of GERD. Here, we are going to share some natural ways sworn by the world’s best naturopaths and ayurvedic doctors.

Naturopathic Approach towards GERD

Naturopaths share certain lifestyle recommendations for treating GERD symptoms, such as-

  1. Walk after having a meal
  2. Avoid heavy exercise post meal
  3. Shed extra pounds that make you overweight
  4. Have gut-friendly diet
  5. Eat smaller and more frequent meals
  6. Raise your head a little on the bed
  7. Avoid smoking and alcohol
  8. Drink between, not with a meal
  9. Wear breathable, comfortable clothing
  10. Anti-inflammatory food cosumption
  11. Drink plenty of water

Anti-inflammatory diet is helpful for GERD patients to combat irritation. Add fermented and cultured foods to create robust and varied microbiome to reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and uplift the mood.

Yogic exercises are also a great solution to GERD. You can call Yogymummy team and get the personalised yoga sessions to exacerbate the symptoms.

The Best Yoga Flow For GERD

  1. Vajra Asan
  2. Ushtra Asan
  3. Paschimmotan Asan
  4. Hal Asan
  5. Pavanmuktasan

Important fact – Vajra Asan is the safest asan that can be performed right after having a meal. It helps in boosting the digestion and improves your metabolism.

Pranayama such as sheetali, bhramari, and anulom vilom help in reducing acidity issues. You can connect with us and learn the right technique to do the yogic exercise and pranayam.

Pro tip – Avoid any type of stress. Stress aggravates hyperacidity and acidity symptoms. It is important to calm down your mind and keep the stress at bay.

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