Positioning the Esophagus Part 2

The American College of Gastroenterology recommends raising the head of the bed by 6” – 10”  to combat acid reflux. I, personally, suffered for a number of years not even knowing I had a severe form of acid reflux called GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Finally, I went to my doctor who informed me of this condition and recommended a specific diet, weight loss, raising the head of my bed, and (easiest of all) popping a pill.  In my case, the pill helped somewhat but didn't completely help my nighttime reflux; the medication manufacturers actually advise you to lift the head of the bed.

I suffered for many more years before I actually figured out how to lift the head of my bed in a simple, safe, practical manner. I designed Reflux Guard©  because the medication, which I had expected to be the panacea to my problems, didn't help enough at night. Although I didn't expect much, by the second night, I started to feel better and didn't suffer from nighttime reflux. Within a week I was a different person!

I suffered for many years before I actually figured out how to lift the head of my bed in a simple, safe, practical manner. I designed Reflux Guard© because the medication didn’t quite help with nighttime Acid Reflux. Since the medication wasn't working and I was still in agony, I needed to figure out how to get some sort of relief.  I never thought Reflux Guard© would be the panacea to my nighttime agony, but I did need to try something different. I hoped for some little improvement so I could get a decent night’s sleep. As it turns out Reflux Guard© worked better then I had ever imagined and now don’t travel without it. By the second night I started to feel better and now hardly ever suffer from nighttime Acid Reflux. Within a week I was a different person.

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Our next post will about how Acid Reflux effects you teeth and what you can do about it. Don't let it ruin your teeth or smile.
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Positioning the Esophagus

“Due to the anatomic factors that I discussed in the prior chapter, for some people who are more susceptible, problems can arise when you are in deep sleep (or REM sleep), and when you are on your back. Since all humans are susceptible to the tongue collapsing to various degrees, given the same situation, different people will obstruct more than others.

For example, if you have no problem sleeping on your back and you get a simple cold, your nose gets stuffed up and due to the vacuum pressures that are created downstream, your tongue can start to fall back, causing you to wake up frequently. This is the reason why you toss and turn when you have a cold. But once your cold goes away, you can catch up on your sleep, and you feel fine again.

Pregnant women, especially in the third trimester, typically don’t sleep well. This is not only because of the lack of mobility associated with the pregnancy itself, but also due to increased fat deposits in the throat at this time. The latter serves to narrow the airway, and creates breathing problems that did not exist prior to pregnancy.”

This is another installment of Dr. Park's book, "Sleep Interrupted", that explains the esophagus--a very complicated and fascinating part of our anatomy. It is the roadway for many bodily functions, but we often take it for granted until something goes wrong. We use it every moment from inhaling and exhaling to swallowing. Unfortunately, when the esophagus malfunctions, it can cause us anywhere from minor discomfort to agonizing misery.

In today's installment of "Sleep Interrupted" we will explore the simple complications involving how the position of the esophagus and breathing pathway can easily cause Acid Reflux, which, in turn, can cause damage to the esophagus.

The esophagus is basically a tube for eating, drinking, and breathing. If this tube closes down during sleep it can cause a vacuum in the stomach. This vacuum can interrupt the processing of the stomach contents and their natural progression downward and lift acid, bile, and other stomach contents back up into the esophagus. The power of this vacuum is such that even a healthy stomach and sphincter valve (the valve that keeps acid from entering the esophagus) may not keep the contents of the stomach in the stomach. When the stomach contents come up, it can cause severe damage to the esophagus and/or lungs, which can cause caustic burning and choking, that might even require hospitalization.

Please come back early next week for Part 2 of this topic or you can like us on facebook where you will be notified for each post - hope to hear from you.

How is Weight Loss & Acid Reflux Like Dave Ramsey's Snowball Plan?

Dave Ramsey's theory of “The Debt Snowball Plan” can be applied to weight loss and Acid Reflux. The strategy is to multiply the effect of  small gains which will then “snowball” into large gains.  Recent studies show this method works. Dave’s strategy  makes it easier to bring a person’s debt under control.

How can we apply this strategy to weight loss and acid reflux?

Let's start with weight loss, which in itself can help mitigate Acid Reflux. Start by identifying a food you eat that is high in calories. Now,  plan to replace it with a lower calorie food. Try that for awhile, and then do the same thing with another high calorie food, and so on. You will find that you will begin to lose weight without feeling hungry and losing control of your diet. The keys are preparation and starting small. Once you build momentum, you can take on Exercise, using the same technique. Start with a simple exercise.

How does this apply to Acid Reflux?

Your Doctor's recommendation will be to lose weight, and we all know that is easier said than done. The Doctor gives you pills, which you have to remember to take. (The only “good” thing about Acid Reflux is that the severe pain serves as a strong reminder to take your pills.)  A far easier cure is raising the head of your bed, which Reflux Guard© accomplishes perfectly, and may eliminate the need for pills. Once Reflux Guard is installed there is not much more to do than to get a good night’s sleep.

This is where a positive cycle starts. Studies show that a lack of sleep causes weight gain. Therefore, a better night’s sleep can contribute to weight loss. Weight loss in itself  helps mitigate Acid Reflux.

Whatever you do, don't let the snowball melt - keep it rolling. As you do, your task becomes easier, and you feel better and better.