Weight Loss and Acid Reflux

Posted: Apr 28 in Obesity and GERD by Staff

When you have chronic heartburn, sometimes known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you may be desperate to find a way to get rid of it. But maybe the thought of surgical options concerns you, so instead you avoid all foods that bring about an occurrence. Unfortunately, avoiding heartburn triggering foods can leave your plate pretty plain and unsatisfying. From tomatoes to spicy foods, coffee to chocolate, fruit to oils, there are a lot of heartburn triggering foods to exclude.
One possible solution to chronic heartburn that avoids the surgical option is weight loss. When you are obese, your stomach is stretched and can put undue pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter, which is the valve that acts as a divider between your stomach and your esophagus. When you put pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter from obesity, it can begin leaking and allowing small amounts of stomach acid to creep through and cause heartburn. By losing a little weight, you could reduce this pressure and allow yourself to enjoy a full palate of heartburn triggers without feeling the slightest burning twinge.