Should i exercise with acid reflux

Exercise can be the tool to get you to your goal. Never stop exercising just because it seems to trigger acid reflux. Find other types of exercise, or discover what you might be doing to exacerbate the symptoms. If you are aware of your food triggers, modify your workout routine, and take OTC medications to reduce acid, but you continue to have problems with acid reflux, it may be time to see Digestive Health Services for help.

Keep notes of how different types of workout routines affected your acid reflux. Try breathing exercises — A small study of GERD patients found that four weeks of breathing exercises improved reflux symptoms for up to nine months Source: EverydayHealth. Ask a certified trainer or instructor for breathing exercises you can practice in the gym or at home to improve your reflux symptoms. You can also attend yoga, Pilates or tai chi classes which focus on breathing form and technique. Committing to an exercise routine is just one way to improve your digestive health.

Talk to your doctor about other treatments and lifestyle modifications that can help keep your acid reflux symptoms under control. Although there is no set exercise to prevent the causes of heartburn and acid reflux, one way to help ease the symptoms is to lose weight and keep your heart as healthy as possible. The key to gaining a trimmer body without over aggravating your stomach and heart is to engage in low impact training.

If you enjoy cardio, cycling or a gentle run can help to raise your heart rate and effectively burn fat but not jar your body too much. It could also be beneficial to use a stationary bike or a running machine to additionally avoid the impact from the pavement or the wobble from a bike.

Walking is a much advised option too. A brisk walk after a meal can massively aid digestion and reduce the symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux from presenting later in the evening. Similarly, social activities such as dancing or Pilates are good choices to stretch out and exercise if you want a gentler way to beat the burn.

These types of exercise can cause acid to rise up from the stomach and trigger heartburn. Another common mistake when exercising is not breathing properly. And for the general GERD population, exercise can actually help reduce symptoms. During reflux, the lower esophageal sphincter LES muscle, which serves as a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus, opens, allowing stomach acid to travel up into the esophagus and cause heartburn.

Any exercise that increases abdominal pressure, such as heavy lifting, stomach crunches, or high impact workouts, can trigger reflux.