Obesity And Acid Reflux Condition
Obese people are a high risk category for diseases in general. This has been known through the ages and has been proven in studies conducted in the last century. Obesity is attributed to problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc among many other diseases. Obesity has been proven as a villain in cases of acid reflux as well.
Acid reflux or heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease is caused when the stomach acids needed for proper digestion of food goes up in to the esophagus. Esophagus is the connecting tube between the throat and the stomach. Such refluxed acid may go up in to your throat and cause a burning sensation. Multiple studies have proven the high rate for acid reflux condition among obese people.
Separate studies conducted by researchers at Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Houston’s Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Southern California are among those conducted for this purpose. A majority of these studies have proven the relationship between acid reflux and obesity. Even the studies which did not prove this relationship did not show a contrary relationship. These studies were conducted on the largest sample of acid reflux patients during the last half a century.
These medical studies have proven a relationship between the patient’s BMI (Body Mass Index) and acid reflux symptoms. As BMI, a measure of fat in the human body, increased, the acid reflux condition of the people worsened.
The results of these studies were not entirely surprising. The increase in obesity among American population is well documented over the recent years. The change in food habits of the average US citizen has an important role in this situation. The consumption of junk food and sugary sodas have been blamed as the culprits in this condition. Increase in acid reflux patients have been going at a steady pace over the years. It is estimated that roughly 20% of the current US population suffer from this painful condition and its associated effects.
In addition to higher risk of acid reflux, obese people are at a high risk for cancer affecting their esophagus. Another known condition affecting such people is erosive esophagitis.
Thus, it would be a smart move on every one’s part to stay trim and fit. The benefits of staying at a healthy weight has been proven effective in a variety of other ways. Staying away from acid reflux condition is another added advantage for every fitness conscious person.
What is the relationship between obesity and acid reflux?
This is not clearly proven yet. One assumption is the excess pressure applied on stomach contents from accumulated fat around it, which in turn would force the stomach acids to go up in to the esophagus. People who are obese are known to have weaker esophageal sphincter, which allow stomach acids to go past it in to the esophagus. But these assumptions are yet to be proven beyond doubt.
Even if you lose your excess weight, weakened esophageal sphincter muscles will not regain its original strength. Thus, losing excess weight may not provide relief for acid reflux condition. The only solution would be to stay fit and trim all through your life.
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