Breathing and Acid Reflux Disease

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Breathing and Acid Reflux Disease

If you watch television on a regular basis, you have undoubtedly seen ads

for a variety of prescription and non-prescription drugs to reduce or

eliminate the symptoms of heartburn, one of the fastest growing medical

complaints in today's fast-food, stress-filled world. Yet many of us are

unaware that heartburn, especially chronic heartburn, is often associated

with a serious medical problem called gastroesophageal reflux disease

(GERD), also sometimes called acid reflux disease.

Those of us suffering from acid reflux disease, which is related to the

inappropriate relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, will be

interested to know that how we breathe may well influence this disease. A

study published in The American Journal of Physiology (May 30, 1995), for

example, discussed the relationship of partial expiration and

hyperventilation on the gastroesophageal junction. The abstract of the study

concluded by stating: " The breathing patterns of partial expiration and

hyperventilation have significant influence on esophageal motor function.

Abnormal breathing pattern may be involved in the pathogenesis of esophageal

motor dysfunction. " Another study at the Department of Internal Medicine at

the University of Virginia at Charlottesville concluded that the inhibition

of the " crural diaphragm during transient lower esophageal sphincter

relaxation may play an important role in facilitating flow across the

gastroesophageal junction. " In other words, there is some evidence that an

overly tight crural diaphragm (the part of the diaphragm composed of

muscular strands that attach to the lumbar spine) causes inappropriate

relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter.

To understand the possible significance of these studies with regard to the

way we breathe, it is important to remember, first of all, that the

esophagus traverses an opening in the diaphragm to reach the stomach, and

that there is a sphincter at the entrance to the stomach that must relax for

the food we have eaten to enter the stomach. Relaxation of this sphincter

takes place mainly when we swallow and when food is traveling through our

esophagus into our stomach. Relaxation of the sphincter at other times

allows a flow from the stomach upward, which can cause inflammation of the

esophagus and throat. If left untreated, ongoing inflammation can have many

serious effects on our health, including ulceration and cancer of the

esophagus. These studies seem to suggest that poor breathing habits,

including chronic hyperventilation and incomplete exhalation, may well be

involved in acid reflux disease.

If you do have acid reflux, it is imperative that you work to improve your

breathing. The key is to learn how to exhale as completely as possible and

to breathe with more of your whole body, especially your belly. An excellent

first exercise is the belly breathing exercise (explained at end of

article). Other helpful practices can be found in The Tao of Natural

Breathing.

Special Note:

There are two supplements that may be helpful for people with inflammation

of the digestive tract.

One is Dyglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL), which you can find in most health

food stores. Regular licorice also has soothing effects on the GI tract, but

it is not advised for anyone with high blood pressure. DGL apparently does

not influence blood pressure.

The other supplement is omega-3 fatty acid, especially pharmaceutical-grade

fish oil. Those with GI tract inflammation would be wise to look into the

work of Dr. Barry Sears, who discusses the importance of insulin control as

well as the importance of high-dose fish oil in combating inflammation.

Sears maintains that the fish oil found in health food stores is not pure or

potent enough to be used in the high doses required to treat serious

inflammation.

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Belly Breathing Exercise

Introduction:

Before we were born, our mother provided through our umbilical cord the

nutrients, food, and oxygen that we needed to live. In many traditions, the

area just below the navel and midway into the body is considered to be a

sacred center of energy. In any event, our belly is one of the major areas

that get tight and tense when we are under a lot of stress. And this greatly

affects our internal organs, our breath, our energy, and our overall health.

In this breathing exercise, we are going to work with " belly breathing " in

order to open our belly and allow our diaphragm to move deeper down into our

abdomen on inhalation and farther up to squeeze our lungs and support our

heart on exhalation. This will have a powerful influence on our respiration,

on the way we breathe in the many conditions of our lives.

Practice:

1. Lie down comfortably on your back on your bed or on a mat or carpeted

floor. Position yourself with your feet flat on the floor and your knees

bent (pointing upward). Simply follow your breathing for a minute or two

with your attention. See if you can sense which parts of your body your

breath touches.

2. Continue to follow your breathing as you rub your hands together until

they are very warm.

3. Put your hands (one on top of the other) on your belly, with the center

of your lower hand touching your navel. Watch how your breathing responds.

4. You may notice that your belly wants to expand as you inhale and retract

as you exhale. Let this happen, but don't try to force it.

5. If your belly seems tight, rub your hands together again until they are

warm and then massage your belly, especially right around the outside edge

of your belly button. Notice how your belly begins to soften and relax.

6. Now rub your hands together again until they are warm and put them on

your belly again. Watch how this influences your breath. Do not try to do

anything. Simply watch and enjoy as your belly begins to come to life,

expanding as you inhale and retracting as you exhale.

7. If your belly still seems overly tight and does not want to move as you

breathe, press down with your hands on your belly as you exhale. Then as you

inhale, gradually release the tension. Try this several times. Notice how

your belly begins to open more on inhalation.

8. When you are ready to stop, be sure to sense your entire abdominal area,

noting any special sensations of warmth, comfort, and energy. Spend a few

minutes allowing these sensations to spread into all the cells of your belly

all the way back to your spine.

This simple practice will have a highly beneficial affect on your breathing,

especially if you do it on a regular basis. Remember that you can try this

practice at any time of the day or night. Though it's easiest if you are

lying down, you can also do it sitting, standing, walking, and so on. It is

an excellent practice to try before you get out of bed in the morning. It is

also an excellent practice to work with whenever you are anxious or tense,

since it will help relax you and center your energy. Over time, it will help

slow down your breathing and make it more natural.