If you have ever felt a burning sensation in your throat after eating, you might be experiencing the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. For some people, certain foods can trigger an episode. If you are overweight, you are at a greater risk. Exercise can relieve your GERD symptoms by controlling your weight, along with lowering your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
The Basics
GERD describes a chronic digestive disorder in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing irritation and heartburn. Some individuals might experience chest pain as well. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that 20 percent of Americans experience GERD on a weekly basis. The condition is caused by a valve between the stomach and esophagus that relaxes, allowing the stomach acid to back up.
Weight and GERD
Being overweight and GERD share a link. A 2006 study by the Charité University Medical Center in Germany identified smoking and obesity as lifestyle risk factors for GERD. The connection between GERD and obesity shows a possible solution with exercise. Engaging in regular aerobic exercise can help you control your weight and provide relief for your GERD symptoms. Carrying extra weight, especially around your midsection, places added pressure on your stomach and might aggravate your symptoms. Exercise offers a solution for reducing your abdominal fat accumulation.
Types of Exercise
While exercise might be beneficial, certain types of exercise might have the opposite effect. A 2009 study by the University of Hawaii found that short-board surfers had a greater incidence of GERD than nonsurfers. Researchers attributed these findings to the increased abdominal pressure caused by lying prone on the surfboard when paddling. In addition, bending exercises might have a similar effect. A 2008 study by the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in India found that bending exercises triggered GERD symptoms in participants with a pre-existing condition.
Prevention
The Mayo Clinic recommends controlling your weight with diet and exercise as a course of treatment for your GERD. Light to moderate aerobic exercise can help you burn the extra calories you need to shed a few pounds. It can also help prevent weight gain, which can worsen your symptoms. When exercising, you should also wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid building up pressure in your abdomen. Increasing your physical activity can help improve your quality of life so you needn't be plagued with GERD symptoms.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Digestive Diseases Statistics for the United States
- University of Maryland Medical Center: GERD
- "Alimentary Pharmacology Therapeutics"; "Lifestyle Factors and Symptoms of Gastro-Esophageal reflux -- A Population-Based Study"; M. Nocon et al; January 2006
- "Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine"; "Surfing as a Risk Ractor for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease"; Y. Norisue et al; September 2009
- "Indian Journal of Gastroenterology"; "Effect of Bending Exercise on Gastroesophageal Reflux in Symptomatic Patients"; J. Sodhi et al; November-December 2008
- Mayo Clinic: GERD -- Lifestyle and Home Remedies
