Acid reflux disease, or acid indigestion, affects millions of people each year. The condition causes enormous discomfort and, over time, can wear away the lining of your esophagus. Most people treat their acid reflux condition with antacids and other over-the-counter medications. However, lifestyle changes, including a yoga practice, can help treat the condition as well.
Identification
Acid reflux is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, according to the staff of the Mayo Clinic. Although acid reflux is a common condition that most people experience, frequent bouts of it are indicators of GERD. People who experience acid reflux more than two to three times a week may have the condition.
Causes And Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic reports that acid reflux occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. This causes a sour taste in the mouth and a burning sensation in the throat. Normally, when you swallow the esophageal sphincter opens to allow food and liquid to flow into the stomach before closing again. However, if the sphincter weakens, stomach acid can backwash into the esophagus, resulting in reflux. Over time, acid reflux can wear away the lining of the esophagus. Symptoms of acid reflux include a burning sensation in the throat, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and regurgitation of food or liquid.
Prevention/Solution
Treatment of acid reflux often begins with over-the-counter medications, such as antacids. The Mayo Clinic says physicians generally prescribe over-the-counter medications first and also recommend lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and avoiding foods that may trigger acid reflux, such as fried and fatty foods. In addition, the ABC of Yoga website recommends a yoga practice to help cope with acid reflux and other digestive problems.
Features
According to information on the ABC of Yoga site, practicing yoga reduces stress and anxiety, and helps you relax, which in turn eases digestion. It also cites several yoga postures, or asanas, that can help you better cope with digestive problems, such as acid reflux. These postures include the cross-legged meditative pose, or sukhasana, the half spinal twist, and the wind relieving pose. The wind relieving pose, or pavanamuktasana, works mainly on the digestive system, helping the body eliminate excess gas.
Expert Insight
Barbara Kaplan Herring, a longtime yoga practitioner who teaches classes on yoga and good digestion, writes in Yoga Journal that when suffering from acid indigestion or reflux, you should avoid asanas that compress your abdominal area, such as forward bends. She recommends instead such asanas as the warrior poses, which lift and extend the esophagus and diaphragm, reducing reflux.
Considerations
ABC of Yoga points out a yoga practice alone will not fully treat acid reflux or any other condition, and that you should consult your doctor before beginning any program of physical exercise.
