Acid Reflux And Exertion:
Is There A LINK?

Acid reflux and exertion: is there a connection between both? Acid reflux triggered by physical exertion is a concept that has been discussed among physicians and acid reflux patients for years. Vigorous exercise can worsen acid reflux. More often than not, pain in the chest following exertion is described as "heartburn" when it is really angina. Anyone with chest discomfort during or after exercising should be evaluated for cardiac problems.

Exertion-Associated Gastroesophageal Reflux (EAGER) is a term used to describe co – occurrence of acid reflux and exertion, i .e. heartburn episodes triggered by physical activity. People try to be healthier by exercising more, but this triggers EAGER which not only causes discomfort but also takes them off the road to better overall health. One of the defense mechanisms that prevent the reflux of gastric acid up to the esophagus is gravity. When the body position is altered, the protective effect of gravity may be reduced. Lying down, bending over, jogging, jumping, tends to decrease the effects of gravity, increasing the potential for acid reflux and causing the contents of the stomach, including the acidic digestive juices, to move around vigorously inside the stomach walls. Acid reflux occurs more frequently during exercise than at rest.  Increased intensity of exercise resulted in increased reflux in both trained athletes and untrained people. Running produced more reflux than less jarring activities, such as bicycling, while weight training produced few reflux symptoms.

Obesity actually worsens the symptoms of acid reflux. When you overeat, the stomach needs to secrete more acid causing excess acid build-up in the stomach. Therefore, exercise is needed to maintain a healthy weight. Some aerobic as well as anaerobic exercises like step exercises, bicycling, stair climbing and stretching actually help treat acid reflux. Yoga is extremely useful for acid reflux, as it mainly utilizes the body’s own strength with very little force or exertion. Some poses incorporate breathing exercises that help further reduce stress while other poses improve overall physical health. Meditation is known to alleviate painful and distressing symptoms of heartburn.

There are specific steps acid reflux sufferers can take while exercising. Wait at least an hour after eating before you begin to exercise, avoid fatty or greasy foods, avoid caffeine, take an over-the-counter antacid before exercising, and try a less jarring exercise or supplementing jostling types of exercise with swimming or stationary bike workouts.