The following are six physical factors that may be causing your acid reflux. By following this guide you may successfully reduce or eliminate your flare-ups!
Restrictive pants: If you wear pants that squeeze your abdomen, they may be putting pressure against your organs. This can put pressure on the LES causing it to relax. Tip: There are many stylish and comfortable Yoga pants and draw string pants available. I wore my black Yoga pants to the women’s group I host and they thought that I was wearing slacks! (I do buy them a size larger so that they aren’t real tight.)
Restrictive bra: Ladies, if you wear an underwire bra you may not know that it is restricting your chest cavity. Tip: Try loosening your bra or consider purchasing a bra extender for a looser fit (know your hook and eye count before purchasing!) Even better, sports bras are recommended as they are designed to be non-binding. (I’m a little too large on top to rely upon a sports bra, so I ditched my underwire bras and replaced them with the Warner’s bra from JC Penny. I love this bra! It is molded for shape and support but has no underwire. If you purchase one, get it a size or two larger, but with the same cup size. That way it is a looser fit around the ribs, but the cup fits the same.)
Lying down after eating: Give yourself three hours after you eat to lie down. This will allow your food to digest and not put pressure on your LES while you are in a reclined position. Tip: You may also purchase a wedge pillow that will allow you to sleep in a slightly inclined position. You can try it with pillows, but somehow you usually end up waking up lying flat. You may also try bed lifts at the head of your bed for a slight recline.)
Bending over after eating: Like lying down, this will allow the food in your stomach to be pressed against the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) causing it to relax. Tip: If you really need to bend down after eating, try bending at the knees instead of the waist.
Smoking: Smoking relaxes the LES. One cigarette a day makes you a smoker. Tip: There are many reasons to stop smoking and curbing acid reflux is a good one!
Constipation: When you suffer from long term constipation your colon can push up against your stomach. This can put pressure on the LES causing it to relax. Many people are constipated and don’t realize it. Tip: If you do not move your bowels at least once a day, in good volume, you are constipated. An excellent kit of all natural products that I rank high are: Heather’s Tummy Fibers Acacia Powder (an odorless, flavorless, textureless, powder that can be added to any food, hot or cold,) full spectrum probiotics from New Chapter and two tables of cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, drizzled over your rice or vegetables. It may be that you cannot tolerate oils. If this is so, try NuHealth Aloe Vera softgels.
See my related articles on possible causes of acid reflux:
Acid Reflux - Chemical Causes
Dietary Causes of Acid Reflux
*Please know that I am not a medical doctor or a health practitioner. I cannot diagnose your stomach problems nor can I guarantee a cure. I am here to share my knowledge, which applications have worked for me and to offer suggestions of where you may go physically, emotionally and spiritually for healing and self-empowerment. If you choose to explore alternative medicine, do not independently stop taking your prescribed medications. Always consult with your current doctor as well as your new practitioner when changing your medical program.
