GERD and weight loss – understanding the effects on your body
Before understanding the effects it has on your body, you should first understand what GERD, an ongoing, long-term disease, really is. While many individuals experience gastroesophageal reflux, GERD patients have acid reflux more than twice a week. In other words, GERD is an ongoing condition that often requires long-term lifestyle maintenance to minimize symptoms.
What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a long-term condition characterized by persistent acid reflux. Basically, stomach acid is constantly coming up into the esophagus, where it should not be and producing a range of uncomfortable symptoms.
What are the symptoms of GERD?
- Heartburn
- Tissue damage
- Bad breath
- Decay
- Sore throat
- Wheezing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Difficulty or pain swallowing
- Respiratory issues
- Excessive belching
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Flatulence
What causes GERD?
A dysfunctional valve between the esophagus and stomach leads to the uncomfortable condition. A hiatal hernia is a common condition where the opening into the diaphragm is weak, so on occasion, the stomach moves into the chest.
You might have experienced a pinching sensation near the ribs when this happens. It is problematic, and about time to see a doctor, when you experience these uncomfortable feelings more than once or twice a week.
Who gets GERD?
Alongside a weak sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus, patients with GERD tend to exhibit these qualities:
- Obese
- Overweight
- Pregnant
- On medication: antihistamines, sedatives, asthma, antidepressants, calcium channel blockers
- smokers or exposed to secondhand smoke
Gerd and Weight Loss
Being overweight is one of the most common causes of GERD. Losing weight when you suffer from GERD can reduce symptoms and help reclaim your health.
How does weight loss impact GERD?
When you are carrying more weight than your body is built to handle, abdominal pressure increases as it fights to keep your body upright and functioning. The increased pressure makes leakage and backflow in the stomach more likely.
Say goodbye to tight clothing
By losing weight, you can reduce abdominal pressure and lessen the likelihood of experiencing GERD symptoms.
Also, when clothes are too tight, even more pressure is added to the already aggravated abdominal area. By losing weight, you can fit into your clothes more comfortably and loosely, avoid uncomfortable and tight-fitting garments.
What are GERD weight loss methods?
A number of weight loss methods are recommended for patients with GERD, such as:
Avoid overeating
When eating, aim for small portions, so your body has plenty of time to digest, and to avoid the pressure due to too much food in one sitting.
Eat slowly
Give your body plenty of time to digest by chewing thoroughly and eating slowly.
Avoid certain foods
Avoiding some foods might help with losing weight and limiting symptoms of GERD. The following foods will help eliminate current symptoms and shed excess pounds:
- Coffee
- Peppermint
- Chocolate
- Spicy foods
- Greasy foods
- Tomato products
- Alcohol
Exercise
Take a walk after meals to get your digestive tract moving. It is important to wait at least two hours to lay down, after eating.
While diet and exercise can go a long way with your recovery from GERD, you might want additional help to achieve your weight goals, and recover from negative GERD symptoms.
Supplement your diet with AMP Floracel
The healing agent in a fresh aloe vera plant is shown to have many benefits on the body, including soothing the flow and processes of the digestive tract. If you are experiencing negative symptoms of GERD, consider bringing AMP Floracel aloe vera for gerd into your diet and daily routine. AMP Floracel powders and pills will not interfere with current medications, and they just might be the additional boost you need to get healthy and lose the extra pounds your body needs to shed.
To learn more about our products, reach out to an AMP Floracel specialist or start shopping our products online, today!