Exercises During Pregnancy Can Affect Acid reflux

Exercises during pregnancy can affect acid reflux. One of the primary contributing factors for acid reflux is excess weight. Even during pregnancy, when sensible weight gain is of course encouraged, the added pounds can contribute to acid reflux.

To fully understand how some exercises can make acid reflux worse, it is helpful to understand how acid reflux occurs. Essentially, when a woman is pregnant, the levels of estrogen and progesterone in her body are elevated.

The body produces these higher levels of hormones because they help to relax the muscles of the uterus allowing it to expand to meet the needs of the growing baby. Unfortunately, the uterus is not the only set of muscles that relaxes as these hormones levels increase.

The muscles of the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) are also relaxed, a situation in which gastric acid is allowed to flow back up into the esophagus, causing acid reflux. In short, it's a good idea that you make sure to:

• Reduce the number of times you bend over for extended periods
• Avoid jarring your body.
• Avoid bouncing.
• Avoid laying flat on your back for extended periods.

It is obvious, then, that the goal of any exercise program for someone with acid reflux is to avoid doing any of the items mentioned above which promote the refluxing of acid back into the throat. But what exactly does that mean?

There is a reason that yoga is so popular during pregnancy. It is safe, relaxing, and above all, gentle (see Acid Reflux and Stress During Pregnancy). There are no jarring movements, no bouncing, and no jerking. But even yoga is not without its threats when it comes to preventing acid reflux.

One of the best ways exercises during pregnancy can affect acid reflux is to lend gravity a hand. The more you bend over, you are helping gravity to pull the acid reflux down (or up, if you are upside down!) into the throat. This will only serve to worsen the effects of acid reflux.

When you are doing yoga or any other kind of exercise during your pregnancy (under your doctor's guidance, please!) avoid bending over often or staying in that position for an extended period of time.

Another thing to bear in mind when you are exercising is to avoid exercise that involves a great deal of bouncing. Excessive bouncing is not recommended during pregnancy anyway, but when you suffer from acid reflux a bouncing motion can encourage acid to reflux back into the esophagus.

Being pregnant often causes acid reflux, and although exercise during pregnancy is generally a good idea under a doctor's guidance, there are certain exercises during pregnancy can affect acid reflux
(see Posture Can Affect Acid Reflux During Pregnancy).

Focus on gentle movements in which the body stays upright and isn't jarred, and you should find yourself in an exercise program that won't aggravate your condition.

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