Acid Reflux Caused By Losing Weight

New research points to an association between obesity and heartburn. Studies have shown that weight gain and an increase in the size of one’s belly may either cause or worsen this condition.

Heartburn, also called GERD (gastroesophagael reflux disease), occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, which is the food pipe that connects the throat and stomach. Heartburn symptoms often occur shortly after eating and can last for a few minutes or even hours. People may complain of a burning sensation in the chest or throat, a sour or bitter taste in their mouth or even cough symptoms.

This association seems to be stronger in women and in the white population as compared to men and other ethnic groups. The increased risk of GERD is thought to be due to excess belly fat causing pressure on the stomach, the development of a hiatal hernia that causes the backflow of acid or hormonal changes like an increase in estrogen exposure that can occur in individuals who are affected by obesity.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Medlineplus Medical Encyclopedia

As acid flows back into the esophagus, it can cause irritation and inflammation. Throughout time, complications can develop. The esophagus can narrow, leading to a stricture and swallowing problems. A sore or ulcer can develop which can bleed, be painful and make swallowing difficult. Additionally, precancerous changes can occur to the esophagus, called Barrett’s esophagus, which is the main risk factor for developing esophageal cancer.

It turns out that obesity is associated with three related esophageal disorders: GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. The risk for these disorders seems to progressively increase with increasing weight. The goal of treating GERD is not only to decrease bothersome GERD symptoms but also to decrease one’s risks of developing these other, more serious esophageal conditions.

The most effective lifestyle interventions to reduce GERD symptoms are losing weight and, if symptoms occur during sleep, elevation of the head of the bed. New research shows that weight-loss can improve GERD symptoms. In a recent study published in the journal Obesity in 2012, the majority of individuals who were overweight or affected by obesity who enrolled in a structured weight-loss program including dietary, physical activity and behavioral changes, experienced complete resolution of their GERD symptoms. The relationship between weight-loss and resolution of symptoms was dependent on the amount of weight lost, such that the more weight subjects lost, the greater improvement they saw in symptoms. Whereas women saw improvement in GERD symptoms after losing 5 to 10 percent of their weight, men experienced improvement after losing 10 percent of their weight.

Obesity & Heartburn: What Is The Link?

In another study published in the journal Gastroenterology in 2010, weight-loss through restriction of calories and increased physical activity also demonstrated a significant improvement in participants’ symptoms of GERD. Most importantly, follow-up at 6, 12 and 18 months showed decreases in abdominal fatness and symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux. Reduced GERD symptoms means lower acid levels in the esophagus. Thus, another benefit to losing weight is that patients may be able to eliminate or reduce their over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription GERD medications.

Though improved GERD symptoms has also been shown in patients who undergo bariatric surgery, it is difficult to know if improvement is due to the anti-reflux nature of the surgical procedure or to the weight-loss itself.

There have also been studies on the effectiveness of elevating the head of the bed to decrease GERD symptoms. Compared with patients who slept flat, patients who elevated the head of the bed did have less esophageal acid exposure and fewer reflux symptoms. Studies show that this can be an effective strategy for some patients. You can elevate the head of the bed using wood or cement blocks under the legs of your bed or using wedges between your mattress and box spring.

Acid Reflux After Gastric Sleeve Surgery: Symptoms & Treatments

The data studying these items is conflicting. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness that stopping smoking or eliminating the listed foods and drinks will have on GERD symptoms. It is recommended to pay attention to see if any of the listed items seem to worsen your condition. If so, you can decrease or eliminate them and see if symptoms improve.

OTC and prescription medications are available to treat GERD. Ask your healthcare provider for guidance when seeking a medication treatment plan to control your symptoms. OTC medication options include antacids (Mylanta or Tums) that neutralize stomach acid; H2 blockers (Tagamet or Pepcid) that reduce stomach acid; and proton pump inhibitors (Prevacid or Prilosec) that also block stomach acid and allow the esophagus to heal. Prescription strength H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors are also available. Combining medications can sometimes increase effectiveness.

Like all medications, GERD medications can have side effects and can interact with other drugs, so it’s important to discuss this with your healthcare provider. Be sure to talk about what and how much medication you are taking, the effects on your GERD symptoms and any side effects you are experiencing. The goal of medication therapy is to relieve GERD symptoms, allow the esophagus to heal and prevent GERD complications.

How Can Weight Loss Treat Acid Reflux?

If you think you are experiencing heartburn (GERD) symptoms, it is important to discuss these symptoms with your primary care provider. Together, you will be able to identify an effective treatment plan.

Nancy Kushner, MSN, RN, is a nurse practitioner, health writer and co-author of Dr. Kushner’s Personality Type Diet and Counseling Overweight Adults: The Lifestyle Patterns Approach and Toolkit.

Robert Kushner, MD, is Clinical Director of the Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity in Chicago, Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Past President of The Obesity Society, author of more than 160 scientific articles on obesity and nutrition, author of Dr. Kushner’s Personality Type Diet, Counseling Overweight Adults: The Lifestyle Patterns Approach and Toolkit and Fitness Unleashed: A Dog and Owner’s Guide to Losing Weight and Gaining Health Together.

How Do You Know, It Is Acid Reflux?

Comprehensive obesity care requires teaming up with a qualified and compassionate medical professional. Find the right healthcare provider to talk about your weight and health at ObesityCareProviders.com.Acid Reflux occurs when your stomach begins to excrete its content and acid upward into the esophagus. It comes with a burning sensation in the chest. Causes of frequent reflux include;

Obesity is a major cause of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and its associated problems. Weight loss, in general, through lifestyle modification & exercise, pharmacotherapy, or surgical treatment has been shown to relieve GERD symptoms significantly. Studies show that Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) has been linked to an increased occurrence of GERD.

The restriction in the stomach contributes to a reduction in the emptying of the stomach and an increase in intragastric pressure. However, the reflux does not always worsen with gastric sleeve. For some people, the extra fat in the abdomen creates the pressure that is causing the reflux, or they have an undiagnosed or untreated hiatal hernia. In those people, reflux symptoms can improve with weight loss with sleeve gastrectomy and/or a Hiatal hernia repair.

How Does Hyperacidity Or Acid Reflux Lead To Weight Gain?

In Laparoscopic Roux-n-Y Gastric Bypass (LRYGB), the pyloric valve stays in the separated stomach and has no role in regulating food. That is why LRYGB is the most practical bariatric procedure to cure GERD with an equal effect to that of Nissen fundoplication.

The following meal plan was devised by our nutritionist to help reduce and treat acid reflux symptoms after undergoing weight loss surgery.

By Ron Elli, Ph.D. |2023-08-14T18:55:51+00:00September 8th, 2016|Categories: Diet & Nutrition|Tags: acid reflux, bariatric diet, diet, gerd, health benefits, healthy food, healthy meals, meal planning, meal prep, NERD, recipes, weight loss diet, what is acid reflux|2 Comments

Home Remedies For Acid Reflux And Heartburn Relief

Mexico Bariatric Center's Founder and CEO, Ron Elli, Ph.D. has been in Medical Tourism Bariatrics and Plastics since early 2007. Dr. Elli is a pioneer in the Mexico Weight Loss Surgery sector. Ron has published numerous articles in Global Healthcare and is certified by Medical Tourism Association. In the fight against obesity, Dr. Elli has been informing patients in U.S. and Canada about the benefits of this life-changing surgical treatment through bariatric seminars and webinars.Obesity is a serious medical condition caused by excess weight that affects many people. In fact, according to the CDC, over one-third of Texans were considered obese in 2019! That’s a lot of people at risk for other medical conditions, including GERD, which is chronic acid reflux.

You may be diagnosed with obesity if your BMI is 30 or greater. Studies have shown that the link between obesity and acid reflux is well-defined. The good news is, however, that the same research shows that losing weight can reduce the frequency of acid reflux.

Acid reflux is a common condition that causes burning pain in the chest and/or throat. Most people call this heartburn and experience it only occasionally. But acid reflux can be more severe when you’re overweight. It can even become chronic, meaning it happens often, and needs to be treated for relief of the burning sensation.

Acid Reflux And Gerd: Diet, Medicine And Remedy |

Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the muscle that connects the esophagus and the stomach, stops functioning properly. When this muscle is working as it should, it opens to allow the food you eat to pass into your stomach. Once food